HBO has announced a second season renewal for its upcoming Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, months before the first season even debuts. The new series, which follows the adventures of knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg, is scheduled to premiere on January 18, 2026, while Season 2 is already slated for a 2027 release. This early renewal signals HBO’s strong belief in the next chapter of the Westeros universe.
The Announcement and Planned Future
The renewal was officially announced by Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, during the network’s press presentation. This strategic move ensures that fans will get to continue the journey with these new characters without the long waits typically associated with large-scale fantasy productions.
Francesca Orsi, HBO’s Head of Drama Series and Films, confirmed that the show is planned for a three-season run, designed to cover all three of George R. R. Martin’s existing Dunk and Egg novellas. She expressed great confidence in the project and its leads, stating the team is already planning how to build the story across the intended three seasons.
The production schedule for the new series allows for a faster turnaround compared to other shows in the franchise. While House of the Dragon releases new seasons every two years, the plan for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is to cut that gap roughly in half. This is due to its more intimate scale, with seasons consisting of six half-hour episodes each, making it a quicker production than its predecessor.
A Different Kind of Story in Westeros
Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, the series focuses on the friendship between a young, courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his small squire, Egg. The story takes place in an age when the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne, though the last dragons have only recently died out. The show is described as a character-driven piece, focusing on a more personal story.
Series co-creator George R. R. Martin has seen the first season and shared his enthusiastic approval. He highlighted the show’s focus on character and theme rather than constant large-scale action.
“I’ve seen all six episodes… 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,” Martin wrote on his blog. “Viewers who are looking for action, and more action, and only action… well, this one may not satisfy you. …this is a character piece, and its focus is on duty and honor, on chivalry and all it means.”
Meet the Characters and Cast
The series features Peter Claffey, a former rugby player, as the kind-hearted knight Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall. Dexter Sol Ansell, known for playing a young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, stars as his clever squire, Egg.
They are joined by a cast of royal characters and formidable knights, including:
- Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion Targaryen
- Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor Targaryen
- Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen
- Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, also known as “The Laughing Storm”
- Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, a Dornish puppeteer
The series is co-created by George R. R. Martin and Ira Parker, who also serves as showrunner. Directors Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith helm the episodes.
A Expanding Television Universe
The renewal of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is part of a larger expansion of the Game of Thrones universe on HBO. During the same presentation, the network also announced an early Season 4 renewal for House of the Dragon, scheduled for 2028. This plan guarantees that fans will have a steady stream of new content from Westeros for years to come.
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Season 1 premieres January 18, 2026 on HBO and HBO Max.
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Season 2 is expected to debut in 2027.
- House of the Dragon: Season 4 is scheduled for 2028.
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