The next big Game of Thrones story will not be about kings, dragons, or wars for the Iron Throne. Instead, it will follow a wandering knight and his young squire. HBO‘s upcoming series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, aims to be very different from its famous predecessor. Based on new details from the show’s creators and a recent trailer, the show will focus on smaller stories, humor, and the lives of common people in Westeros.
The series adapts George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas. It is set about 90 years before the events of the original Game of Thrones. The story follows Ser Duncan the Tall (nicknamed Dunk), a lowborn hedge knight, and his clever squire, Egg. Peter Claffey plays Dunk, and Dexter Sol Ansell plays Egg. The show is scheduled to premiere on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
A Focus on Simplicity and the “Smallfolk”
One of the biggest changes is the show’s point of view. While Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon focused on powerful families, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will center on ordinary people. George R.R. Martin stated this was a direct response to an old criticism of his work.
“One of the things that one of the [critics] said was that, ‘Here’s another fantasy and we get to hear more about kingdoms and lords […] nobody ever writes about the common people,’ the smallfolk as I call them. And that resonated with me,” Martin explained.
Showrunner Ira Parker emphasized that the show will feel grounded. “This could basically be 14th century Britain. This is hard nose, grind it out, gritty, medieval knights, cold with a really light, hopeful touch,” he said. He described the world as one where “Nobody’s thinking about magic” and where they are telling the story from the very bottom of society.
A Noticeably Lighter and Funnier Tone
The official trailer for the series reveals another major shift: a lighter, more humorous tone. The footage includes character-driven jokes that feel like a departure from the often bleak world of Westeros.
The trailer opens with Prince Baelor Targaryen asking Dunk if he is a good knight. Dunk confidently says the prince will see, but then immediately walks out the wrong door. Another scene shows young women at a tournament discussing what a “hedge knight” is. One explains, “It’s like a knight, but sadder”. This has led some viewers to compare the show’s vibe to the 2001 film A Knight’s Tale rather than the grim drama of Game of Thrones.
“It’s a wonderful place to be,” Parker said about the show’s world, highlighting its “hopeful touch”. The chemistry between Dunk and Egg is central, with the show being described as a “buddy comedy” set within the Game of Thrones universe.
Key Creative Differences from Previous Shows
The creative team is making several clear choices to set this series apart. These differences will be obvious to fans from the very first moment they watch.
- No Iconic Opening Sequence: Unlike Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, this show will not have a grand opening title sequence with an orchestral theme. Instead, it will use a simple title card with medieval-style writing. Parker said this decision was made to reflect Dunk’s straightforward personality. “All decisions came down to Dunk… He’s plain and he’s simple and he’s to-the-point. He doesn’t have a lot of flash to him”.
- A New Kind of Action – The Joust: Instead of large-scale battles and dragon fights, a major part of the action will be jousting tournaments. Martin personally challenged the production team to create the best jousting sequences ever put on film. The first season adapts The Hedge Knight novella, which takes place almost entirely at a tournament called the Tourney at Ashford Meadow.
- A More Contained Story: The series plans to stick closely to Martin’s three published novellas, which provide a clear and complete story roadmap. The first season will have six episodes. This focused approach is different from other shows in the franchise that expanded beyond their source material.
The Actors Behind Dunk and Egg
The success of the show hinges on the relationship between the two main characters. Peter Claffey, who plays Ser Duncan the Tall, described his character as someone trying to be honorable in a dishonorable world.
“For somebody to have the actual knightly valor in that world is something to really look up to, especially in the world of Westeros,” Claffey said. He added that in Westeros, people often gain power through “treachery and backstabbing,” making a truly honorable knight rare.
His co-star, Dexter Sol Ansell, was only nine years old when filming began. The actors have highlighted their strong off-screen bond, which they believe translates to their characters’ friendship on screen.
Also Read:
George R.R. Martin’s Involvement
A significant point of excitement for fans is George R.R. Martin’s deep involvement with this project. He has served as an executive producer and worked closely with showrunner Ira Parker. Martin has publicly praised the adaptation, which contrasts with some of his past comments on other adaptations.
“I’ve seen all six episodes now… and I loved them,” Martin wrote in a blog post earlier this year. “It’s as faithful an adaptation as a reasonable man could hope for”.
Showrunner Ira Parker confirmed the positive collaboration. “I was talking to George for a week and getting his take and his feelings on these characters… He made me want to do a good job for him,” Parker said. “He’s only been a benefit to this show“.
How to Watch and What Comes Next
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere with its first episode on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
- It will air on the HBO cable channel and be available to stream on HBO Max. New episodes are expected to be released weekly.
- The first season will tell a complete story based on the first novella, The Hedge Knight. If successful, the plan is for subsequent seasons to adapt the following two novellas, The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight.
Martin has ideas for more Dunk and Egg stories beyond the published books, but their future on television will depend on the success of the series and his progress in writing them. For now, the focus is on the intimate, hopeful, and humorous adventure arriving in early 2026.
Also Read: Fallout Season 2: The Commonwealth Brotherhood’s Role in Upcoming Episodes, Details Explained
