The world of Game of Thrones is returning with a new adventure, and HBO has just given fans their first official look. The premiere poster for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was released, setting the stage for the series’ debut in January 2026. The poster introduces the two main characters, Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg, against a spring-like landscape, a noticeable shift from the darker tones of previous series.
This new show, based on George R. R. Martin’s beloved “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas, will tell a more personal story set about a century before the events of Game of Thrones. With the tagline, “This Winter, Spring is Coming,” the poster hints at a story with a different tone, focusing on the journey of two unlikely friends.
The Story of Dunk and Egg
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows the adventures of a young, courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (nicknamed “Dunk”), and his small squire, Aegon “Egg” Targaryen. The series is set in an age when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne, but the story is a smaller, character-driven tale compared to the epic wars for power.
The first season will adapt the first novella, The Hedge Knight. It details how Dunk, after the death of his mentor, sets out to make a name for himself. At a tournament in Ashford, he meets a mysterious bald boy who insists on being his squire. This boy is later revealed to be Prince Aegon Targaryen, the future king of Westeros. Their bond is forged when Dunk defends a puppeteer named Tanselle from the cruel Prince Aerion Targaryen, Egg’s older brother. This leads to a trial by combat that pulls them into the politics of the Targaryen court.
Meet the Cast and Creative Team
The poster officially introduces the actors playing the central duo. Peter Claffey, an Irish actor and former rugby player, takes on the role of the towering Ser Duncan the Tall. Playing his clever squire, Egg, is young actor Dexter Sol Ansell.
The series boasts a strong supporting cast that includes several Targaryens:
- Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion Targaryen, Egg’s cruel older brother.
- Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor Targaryen, the heir to the Iron Throne.
- Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen, Egg’s father.
- Henry Ashton as Prince Daeron “The Drunken” Targaryen, another of Egg’s brothers.
Other key characters include Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, the “Laughing Storm,” and Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, a Dornish puppeteer.
The show is co-created and executive-produced by George R. R. Martin himself and Ira Parker, a writer from House of the Dragon. Martin has expressed his strong approval of the adaptation, stating:
“I’ve seen all six episodes now… and I loved them. Dunk and Egg have always been favorites of mine, and the actors we found to portray them are just incredible. It’s as faithful an adaptation as a reasonable man could hope for.”
The directing team includes Owen Harris, who directed the first three episodes and helped set the show’s tone, and Sarah Adina Smith, who directed the remaining three.
A Different Kind of Westeros Story
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is planned as a departure from the scale of its predecessors. The first season will consist of six episodes, and the story is intentionally more focused on the two main characters. The show’s co-creator, Ira Parker, explained that this approach even influenced the title sequence, which will be simpler to reflect Dunk’s plain and straightforward nature.
The series began filming in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in June 2024 and wrapped up principal photography in September 2024. It was originally scheduled for a late 2025 release but was moved to January 2026. This means fans will get two doses of Westeros in 2026, as the third season of House of the Dragon is set to follow in the summer of that year. HBO has already ordered future seasons for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, with plans to adapt the subsequent novellas, The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight.
The first poster for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has successfully built excitement for a fresh take on the world of Westeros, one that promises adventure, friendship, and a touch of spring.
Also Read: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Your Next Game of Thrones Adventure Arrives January 2026
