The season finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms dropped a major surprise that had fans doing a double-take. After an emotional ending where Dunk and Egg finally ride off together, the screen flashed a new title: A Knight of the Nine Kingdoms. The change led many viewers to wonder if HBO was planning to rename the series for its upcoming second season. With production already underway for Season 2, the timing of this reveal sparked plenty of discussion across social media and fan forums.
The final episode of the first season, which aired on February 22, 2026, ended with Dunk and Egg leaving Ashford behind. Before they leave, Egg corrects his mentor about the geography of Westeros, explaining that there are actually nine distinct regions, not seven. The moment was played as a lighthearted teaching moment between the squire and his knight. But when the end card appeared showing the new title, it felt like more than just a joke.
Peter Claffey (Ser Duncan the Tall) and Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) delivered touching performances throughout the season, building a bond that fans have embraced. Their journey will continue in Season 2, which is set to premiere in 2027. But the big question remains: will the show actually change its name?
Showrunner Ira Parker Confirms the Title Card Was a Gag
Ira Parker, the co-creator and showrunner of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has come forward to clear up the confusion. In an interview with Variety following the finale, Parker admitted that the title change was his idea of a joke that maybe went a little too far.
“That’s maybe me getting a little too jokey. People may hate it or crucify me for that, but there’s a bit of a lighter touch to these shows. And I’m going to learn some things,” Parker explained.
He went on to say that the moment came from an honest place because, technically, Egg is correct about the nine kingdoms during this time period in Westerosi history. The showrunner confirmed that the series is not changing its name and will continue as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms moving forward.
Parker acknowledged that some people at HBO took the joke seriously, which forced the writers to address it in Season 2 more than they originally planned. He described walking a fine line between honoring the gag and keeping the story focused on Dunk and Egg’s adventures.
What the “Nine Kingdoms” Reference Actually Means
For viewers who may not be deep into Westeros lore, Egg’s correction makes sense within the timeline. During the era when A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place, the realm includes the regions of the North, the Vale, the Iron Islands, the Riverlands, the Westerlands, the Stormlands, the Reach, the Crownlands, and Dorne. That adds up to nine distinct territories, even though the title has always referred to seven.
Dorne was not always part of the realm, which is why the traditional “Seven Kingdoms” name stuck around. By pointing this out, the show highlighted Dunk’s limited education while also giving eagle-eyed fans a knowing nod. Parker confirmed that Dunk and Egg do plan to travel to Dorne in Season 2, which will explore these regions further.
Season 2 Will Adapt The Sworn Sword
Moving past the title confusion, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 is already deep into production. The new season will adapt the second Dunk and Egg novella, The Sworn Sword, written by George R.R. Martin. Filming is currently taking place in Belfast and Spain, with the creative team working to bring this smaller-scale story to life.
Parker confirmed to IGN that Season 2 will stick closely to the source material while adding small flourishes where needed. The season will explore themes of loyalty and blind obedience, contrasting with Season 1’s focus on fathers and sons. Unlike the tournament spectacle of the first season, this story centers on a land dispute between two houses during a brutal drought.
The showrunner also revealed that production challenges have popped up due to unexpected weather. A location in Spain that was supposed to serve as a dry riverbed received its first rainfall in ten years, forcing the crew to scramble for alternatives.
New Cast Members Join for Season 2
With the shift in story location comes a shift in cast. Most of the Season 1 ensemble will not return, as the tale moves away from the royal courts and Targaryen family drama. However, Lucy Boynton has joined the cast as Lady Rohanne Webber, also known as the Red Widow. She rules Coldmoat and finds herself locked in a bitter feud with a neighboring house.
Additional cast members include Paul Chahidi, Steven Hartley, Mimi Joffroy, Kwaku Mills, and Craig Parkinson. These actors will portray members of Houses Osgrey and Webber, bringing the conflict of The Sworn Sword to life. Parker praised the new additions as three exceptionally talented actors joining for key roles.
Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell remain the heart of the show, and their characters will continue to develop as Egg grows older and Dunk faces new challenges. Parker noted that Egg is actually the most expensive part of production because child labor laws limit filming hours each day.
The Targaryen Thread Will Be Handled Carefully
The Season 1 finale also included a post-credits scene showing Prince Maekar realizing his son Egg has disappeared. Maekar, played by Sam Spruell, screams about his missing son while Targaryen forces prepare to search. This scene does not appear in Martin’s original novella, leaving fans curious about how it will affect future seasons.
Parker addressed this in his interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying the thread will be addressed but will not take over the story. He described trying to keep the series compartmentalized so that each season can stand on its own while still rewarding viewers who pay close attention.
“We’ve actually gone through a lot of iterations on how to deal with that. And so far we’ve landed on my favorite one, which is being addressed with hopefully a light touch and also a little bit of a dark humor as well,” Parker told IGN.
The showrunner confirmed that the focus will remain on Dunk’s perspective rather than shifting to the Targaryen court. While the nobles and royals are interesting, the show is designed to look at Westeros from the bottom up.
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George R.R. Martin Had One Condition About the Title
According to Parker, Martin himself weighed in on the title discussion. The author, who created the Dunk and Egg stories, had only one firm rule about what the show could not be called. Parker revealed that Martin would never allow the series to be named Dunk and Egg, despite fans often referring to the stories that way.
The author preferred keeping the focus on the knight and the world rather than turning it into a buddy-adventure label. This approach fits with the show’s tone, which balances humor and heart against the darker backdrop of Westeros.
Streaming Details and Release Timeline
Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is currently available in full on HBO Max. The six-episode season premiered in January 2026 and concluded on February 22, 2026. Each episode runs between 30 and 60 minutes, giving the show flexibility in storytelling.
For viewers in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India, the series streams on HBO Max and broadcasts on HBO. The show has already been renewed for Season 2, with production well underway. HBO confirmed the renewal back in November 2025, before the first season even premiered.
Season 2 is scheduled to arrive in 2027, following the release pattern that alternates with House of the Dragon. That series will return for Season 3 in June 2026, keeping the Thrones universe active on HBO throughout the coming years.
Parker and his team are working on adapting all three published novellas, with Season 3 planned to cover The Mystery Knight. While HBO has not officially ordered beyond Season 2, the showrunner has already pitched his ending to Martin for when the series eventually wraps up.
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