Peter Claffey, star of HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, shared a major update directly with fans. The actor confirmed that production on Season 2 is scheduled to start next week. He made the announcement during a fan event in Brazil, generating excitement for the continuing adventures of Dunk and Egg. Season 1 of the series is set to debut on January 18, 2026, with Season 2 expected to arrive in 2027.
Filming details and season plans revealed
Speaking at the CCXP fan convention in São Paulo, Peter Claffey delivered the news enthusiastically. “On Tuesday, we start filming season two!” he told the crowd. Production is set to take place in Belfast, Ireland, the same city that served as the primary production hub for the original Game of Thrones series.
The announcement highlights HBO’s significant confidence in the new series. The network has already renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for a second season ahead of its Season 1 premiere. The show is designed for a quicker production cycle compared to other large-scale fantasy series, with plans for a three-season run to adapt all of George R.R. Martin’s currently published Dunk and Egg novellas.
Peter Claffey said: “I don’t know if he’s ‘cool,’ but he’s quite an anxious, nervous but very lovable guy. He just wants to do what’s right. It’s a hard thing to do in Westeros, is try to be that chivalrous knight.”
The series features shorter, more intimate stories. Season 1 consists of six half-hour episodes, which allows for a faster turnaround. This format is different from other Game of Thrones shows and contributes to the plan for Season 2’s release just one year after the first season.
Inside the lighter side of Westeros
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. Set about a century before the events of Game of Thrones, it follows the journey of Ser Duncan the Tall, a humble hedge knight, and his young squire, Egg.
Showrunner Ira Parker describes the series as a “lighter, more friendly path to Westeros“. The story is told primarily from the perspective of Dunk, a man who feels out of place among the lords and ladies of the realm. Parker notes this perspective creates “a lot of good natural comedy” as Dunk navigates a world that seems absurd to him.
This approach marks a tonal shift from the intense political drama of House of the Dragon. Parker promises that while the series starts light, the danger inherent to Westeros remains. “You get to hang out and enjoy yourself for a little bit and then it becomes Westeros and then things are gonna happen,” he told audiences. The author, George R.R. Martin, has praised the adaptation, calling it faithful to his work.
The bond between Dunk and Egg
The heart of the series is the dynamic between its two lead characters, brought to life by Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg. Claffey describes their relationship as “quite a symbiotic relationship“. While Dunk is strong and aims to be chivalrous, he often sees the world in simple terms. Egg, despite his youth, provides intelligence and a more nuanced understanding of how to handle people and politics.
The actors’ off-screen friendship mirrors their characters’ bond. Dexter Sol Ansell shared that during the filming of Season 1, they spent weekends together “having Five Guys and having burgers and going to the arcade”. Peter Claffey joked about their downtime, saying, “I like to unwind on the weekend by kicking Dexter’s ass in Mario Kart”.
Claffey also revealed an important character connection for fans of the original series. His portrayal of Dunk is inspired by Gwendoline Christie’s performance as Brienne of Tarth. George R.R. Martin has confirmed that Brienne is a descendant of Ser Duncan the Tall. “I loved Gwendoline Christie as Brienne,” Claffey said. “There’s a lot of aspects to Dunk’s character that she shares”.
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What to expect from the new series
The series promises a different kind of story within the Game of Thrones universe. Showrunner Ira Parker has been open about the show’s more modest scale, noting its budget reflects Dunk’s own humble beginnings. The focus will be on character, duty, and honor rather than massive dragon battles or huge wars.
The story is set during the reign of the Targaryen dynasty, a time when the last dragons are still a living memory. While the scope may be smaller, the stakes are personal and the world is just as richly detailed. The first season will adapt Martin’s first novella, The Hedge Knight, which involves a major tournament and significant encounters with Targaryen princes.
Finn Bennett plays Prince Aerion Targaryen, also known as “Brightflame,” who is Egg’s older brother. Bertie Carvel takes on the role of Prince Baelor Targaryen. The casting and setting firmly place Dunk and Egg’s journey within the complex history of the realm.
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