HBO’s newest Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is still airing its first season, but work on the second season is already moving forward. Showrunner Ira Parker has shared new details about the ongoing production. He confirmed that filming for the next chapter of Dunk and Egg’s adventures is actively happening. The show’s team faces a unique creative challenge. They must adapt the next story on the same budget as season one, even as costs rise and the plot requires more expensive locations.
Production on Season 2 Is Officially Underway
In a recent interview, Parker gave fans a clear update on the status of Season 2. “Weโve been shooting [season 2] every day for the last two weeks,” he stated. He later clarified that the team had already completed 10 days of filming before taking a break for the holidays and the season one premiere events. The full filming schedule for the new season is set to be slightly longer than the first. Parker noted the shoot will last about 14 weeks.
This early start on production aligns with HBO’s long-term plan for its fantasy franchises. The network has previously announced a release strategy that schedules A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 for 2027. This would be followed by the next season of House of the Dragon in 2028. This pipeline suggests HBO aims to keep a steady stream of content from the world of Westeros on the air.
Budget Constraints Create a Major Creative Challenge
One of the biggest updates from Parker concerns the budget for the new season. He revealed that Season 2 will operate with the same budget as Season 1, calling it a “modest budget” compared to other series in the Game of Thrones universe. This decision creates a significant production hurdle, as inflation makes everything more expensive. Furthermore, the story they are adapting naturally demands more costly filming conditions.
Season 2 will be based on The Sworn Sword, the second novella in George R. R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg series. This story is set during a severe drought in Westeros. Parker explained the logistical issue this presents: “book two takes place in a drought, so we canโt shoot exteriors in Belfast. We have to go to a sunny location with no water, which costs money”. Finding and filming in a location that convincingly portrays a dry, sun-scorched landscape is a major expense the first season did not have.
โThe budget has stayed the same, but everything is more expensive due to inflation. Plus, book two takes place in a droughtโฆ We have to go to a sunny location with no water, which costs money โ thatโs a major expense that we did not have in season one.โ – Ira Parker
This financial reality means the creative team must find clever and resourceful ways to bring the next part of the story to life. Parker has described the first season as being “unpolished” by design, reflecting the humble nature of its main character, Dunk. This approach will likely continue as they navigate the constraints for the new season.
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What to Expect from The Sworn Sword Storyline
The shift in setting and plot for The Sworn Sword will offer a different kind of adventure for Dunk (played by Peter Claffey) and his squire, Egg (played by Dexter Sol Ansell). The story takes place about a year and a half after the events of The Hedge Knight, which is being adapted in Season 1. In this new chapter, Dunk has sworn his service to a new knight, Ser Eustace Osgrey. They become entangled in a dispute over water rights during the devastating drought, a conflict known as a “feud between neighbors”.
This premise continues the show’s focus on smaller-scale, character-driven stories within the vast Game of Thrones world. Instead of wars for the Iron Throne, the stakes revolve around local conflicts, honor, and survival. Parker has emphasized that the series is a “lighter, more friendly path to Westeros,” though he promises that the classic, unpredictable dangers of the world are still present.
The core dynamic between the towering, earnest Dunk and the clever young Egg remains the show’s heart. Parker has expressed great affection for the characters, saying, “I love these characters and I love these stories so much”. He has even shared an ambitious long-term hope to follow the characters over many years, potentially filming new seasons as the actors age in real time.
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