The first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms ended just a few days ago, and it left viewers with a major cliffhanger involving Prince Maekar Targaryen. The finale made a big change from the book, showing the prince screaming for his missing son Egg after the young boy ran away to become a squire. Many people thought this change meant Maekar would play a big role in hunting down Dunk and Egg during season two. But the actor who plays him just confirmed that will not happen.
Sam Spruell, who played the strict and troubled father of Egg, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter right after the season ended. He gave a very clear answer about his future on the show. He said, “I’m not going to be in season two.” He added that fans should never say never, but he is pretty sure there will be other stories to tell down the line .
This news surprised many people who just watched the season one finale. That final scene showed a frantic Maekar searching everywhere for his youngest son after the tourney at Ashford ended. It felt like the show was setting up a chase for the next season. But the show is sticking closely to the books, and in the second novella called The Sworn Sword, Maekar Targaryen is not part of the story .
The Season One Finale Changed A Key Detail From The Book
To understand why this news feels so surprising, you have to look at how season one ended. The show adapted George R.R. Martin‘s first Dunk and Egg story, The Hedge Knight. In the book, it is implied that Maekar actually gave permission for his son Aegon, who they call Egg, to go with Ser Duncan the Tall. He allows the boy to squire for the hedge knight and learn the ways of a common traveler.
The HBO show changed this completely. In the series, Egg lies to Dunk. He tells him that his father agreed to let him go. But the mid-credits scene shows the truth. Maekar is yelling and searching for his son, having no idea where he went . This change made viewers think that season two would involve the angry father tracking down the pair.
But that is not the case. The showrunner Ira Parker explained in a separate interview with Collider that they are trying to stay true to the source material. He said that every book in this series introduces a brand-new cast of people. He mentioned that if any characters do come back, it will be very light. There might not be any at all. He said they are exploring the idea only if it feels right and adds something without taking away from the main story of The Sworn Sword .
Why Maekar Stays Behind In Season Two
The second season is already filming, and it will adapt the next novella, The Sworn Sword . This story takes Dunk and Egg to a new part of Westeros during a terrible drought. They get caught up in a conflict between two rival lords, Ser Eustace Osgrey and Lady Rohanne Webber, who is called the Red Widow.
This story is much smaller in scope. It focuses on loyalty, honor, and the grudges left over from the Blackfyre Rebellions . There is simply no room for the Targaryen royal court or a prince searching for his lost son. The story is told strictly from Dunk’s point of view, and we do not see what is happening back with Maekar .
Sam Spruell gave a deep look into his character’s mind in that same Hollywood Reporter interview. He explained that he does not think guilt really impacted Maekar’s decision-making much. He pointed out that Egg is Maekar’s last chance to prove himself as a father. His other sons are not turning out well, and Egg is his last shot at having an heir that is worthwhile. His judgment is clouded by this need to not fail again. That is why he acts the way he does .
Other Season One Characters Also Likely Gone
Maekar is not the only one who will be missing. When a show adapts an anthology-style series of novellas, most characters do not carry over. Prince Aerion Targaryen, who was the cruel older brother that tormented Dunk and got punished by the trial of seven, will also be absent. Lyonel Baratheon, the Laughing Storm, and Raymun Fossoway are also unlikely to appear in season two .
The showrunner confirmed this approach in a Variety interview. He stated very clearly that the show is bottom-up. They stay inside Dunk’s point of view. They do not allow themselves to go behind the scenes and show what other people are thinking or doing independently. If someone comes in and out of Dunk’s world again, then maybe they will appear, but only if Dunk meets them on the road .
When Will We See Maekar Again?
The actor did leave the door open just a crack. While he confirmed he is not in season two, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he is pretty sure there will be other stories to tell . This hints that Maekar could return for a potential third season.
If the show gets a season three, it will adapt the third novella, The Mystery Knight. In that story, Dunk and Egg travel to a wedding tourney at Whitewalls. This story involves more Targaryen politics and hidden identities. It would make sense for Maekar to reappear in that context, as the family drama becomes more central again. The showrunner has said they hope to make at least three seasons to cover all the published novellas .
What We Know About A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Season 2 So Far
The second season is already deep into production. Filming started back in December 2025, and the creators have already shot about ten days of footage as of January 2026 . The show took a short break for Christmas and the season one premiere, but they are back at work now.
Peter Claffey (Ser Duncan the Tall) and Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) are the only two cast members confirmed to return so far . The showrunner has teased that they have cast three absolutely brilliant actors to play the new main characters for this season: Lady Rohanne Webber, Ser Eustace Osgrey, and Ser Bennis .
The season will still have six episodes, just like the first one. The showrunner told The Hollywood Reporter that the scope might actually be smaller this time. He joked that the second book takes place in a drought, so they cannot shoot exteriors in rainy Belfast. They have to go to a sunny location with no water, which actually costs more money due to travel and logistics .
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Release Date And Streaming Details
HBO officially renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for a second season way back in November 2025, even before the first episode ever aired . This showed the network had a lot of confidence in the show.
The new season is expected to premiere sometime in 2027 . This timeline makes sense given that filming is happening now and these shows require a lot of post-production work. The goal is to release seasons annually, which would be a return to the older style of TV scheduling rather than the long waits fans have gotten used to with other shows .
When it does release, season two will be available on HBO and Max in the United States. For viewers in the UK, it will air on Sky Atlantic and stream on NOW. In Canada, it will be on Crave. Australian viewers can watch it on Binge and Foxtel. In India, it will stream on JioHotstar. Viewers in other countries can expect it to land on the local version of Max or the platform that currently carries HBO content in their region.
The show remains one of the most beloved entries in the Game of Thrones franchise because of its focus on friendship and adventure rather than just political backstabbing. Even without Maekar Targaryen in season two, the story of Dunk and Egg continues to captivate audiences around the world.
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We will keep bringing you the latest updates on casting news and release dates for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms as soon as they are announced, so stay with VvipTimes for all your entertainment news.
