Actor Peter Claffey says the new HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms shares a key element with the world of The Lord of the Rings. The star of the upcoming Game of Thrones spin-off explained that the show focuses on a main character trying to hold onto his honor, which creates a different feel from other stories set in Westeros.
The Knight’s Journey in a Cynical World
Peter Claffey plays Ser Duncan the Tall, a knight traveling the realm with his young squire, Egg. In recent interviews, Claffey described Dunk as a man fighting to be good in a world that often rewards terrible behavior. He compared the harsh reality of George R.R. Martin’s world to the more classic fantasy feel of J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories.
“In Game of Thrones and in George R.R. Martin’s world, people get so far in positions and status and stuff by doing hideous things and being part of and stabbing people in the back, literally, figuratively,” Claffey said.
He contrasted this with The Lord of the Rings, where he sees “so much more honor.” Claffey noted that outside of villains like Morgoth and Sauron, the evil in Tolkien’s world often feels more like a “fairytale evil.” The actor believes that trying to be “a decent knight” with principles in Westeros is a much harder path.
Finding a “Whisper” of Comedy in Westeros
The new series, based on Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas, is known to have a lighter tone than Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon. Claffey and his co-star, Dexter Sol Ansell, who plays Egg, talked about balancing that humor with the serious setting.
Claffey explained that the comedy in the show is “earned” and comes naturally from the characters. He said the production team was careful not to let funny moments break the authentic feel of the world.
“It was trying to find that really sort of whisper and quietness of comedy, and not overdoing things,” Claffey stated.
He gave an example where his character, Dunk, hits his head a few times for humor. The actor, along with the directors, decided to cut back on how often it happened to keep it from feeling silly. Dexter Sol Ansell added that while the show is lighter, it still has its dark moments, calling some scenes “the most disturbing thing” he has been in.
The Challenge of Being Honorable
The central idea Claffey explored is how difficult it is to live with honor in a system designed for betrayal. At a New York Comic Con panel, the actor said, “I think it takes a lot more to be a knight than it does in Middle-earth”. This comment sparked discussion among fans.
Claffey later clarified his point to Polygon, explaining he wasn’t trying to start a fight between fantasy fans. He emphasized that the worlds are just built on different rules. In Middle-earth, honor is a clearer, more sustainable path. In Westeros, sticking to a moral code can put you at a serious disadvantage against people like Petyr Baelish, who thrive on trickery.
Despite believing Dunk’s journey is tougher in some ways, Claffey has no illusions about how a fight between the characters would go. He joked, “Aragorn beats Dunk’s ass any day of the week. I’d say George probably agrees”.
What to Expect from the New Series
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set about a century before the events of Game of Thrones. The story follows Dunk, a knight without a lord, and Egg, his clever squire, as they travel through the Seven Kingdoms. The Targaryen family still holds the Iron Throne, but their dragons are gone from the world.
The first season will adapt Martin’s first novella, The Hedge Knight. The plot follows Dunk and Egg as they travel to a major tournament at Ashford Meadow. While the story is simpler and more focused on two characters than the epic political wars of other shows, Claffey promises it will still deliver the action and drama fans expect. He praised the show’s stunt team, calling them “the best stunt team I’ve ever seen in my life”.
In a personal detail, Claffey shared that meeting George R.R. Martin was a highlight. The author visited the set and told the team that The Hedge Knight is his favorite thing he has ever written. His simple instruction to the show’s creator, Ira Parker, was: “Please don’t mess it up”.
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Release Information for Global Audiences
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere on January 18, 2026. The first episode will be available on HBO and the streaming service HBO Max. New episodes will be released every Sunday.
The first season will consist of six episodes. Due to its strong connection to the Game of Thrones universe, the show has already been approved for a second season, which is expected in 2027.
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the show will be available on Sky Atlantic and the streaming service NOW. In Australia, it will stream on Foxtel and Binge. Canadian audiences can watch on Crave.
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