HBO is heading back to Westeros with a very different kind of Game of Thrones story. Instead of continent-wide wars and dragons scorching battlefields, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms zooms in on a wandering knight and his mysterious squire. Based on George R.R. Martin’s beloved novellas Tales of Dunk and Egg, the new fantasy series will premiere on HBO on January 18, 2026 (and arrive in France on January 19).
Why A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Is Not Just Another Game of Thrones Spinoff
Set roughly a century before the events of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place 72 years after the timeline of House of the Dragon. The Targaryen dynasty still sits on the Iron Throne, but their dragons are long gone. Power in Westeros now depends on names, alliances, and the careful management of honor and reputation rather than fire and blood.
That shift fundamentally changes the tone. Where earlier HBO series in this universe focused on dynastic war and supernatural threats, this new chapter trades the war room for the tourney field and the royal court for roadside inns. It’s still the same dangerous world, but the battles here are fought with lances, signatures, and whispered promises.
Instead of continent-spanning campaigns, the story highlights conflicts that feel smaller in scale but no less significant for the people living through them. The show explores:
- Jousting tournaments where glory, wealth, and grudges are all on the line,
- Bitter rivalries within great houses, as different branches maneuver for influence,
- Quiet but decisive choices made by princes and lords that will echo into the future of Westeros.
This more intimate framework lets HBO revisit iconic sigils and family names that American audiences already know, while offering a fresh entry point for newcomers who may never have watched a single episode of Game of Thrones.
Meet Dunk and Egg: The Heart of the Story
At the center of the series is one of George R.R. Martin’s most beloved pairings: Ser Duncan the Tall—often called Dunk—and his young squire, Egg. Rather than following a king, a queen, or a council of schemers, the show sticks close to this wandering duo as they travel through a Westeros that’s less concerned with apocalyptic prophecy and more with everyday survival, status, and honor.
Peter Claffey plays Dunk, a towering, physically imposing hedge knight with humble origins. He has no famous last name, no land, and no banners—only a stubborn belief in what knighthood should mean. That idealism constantly collides with the harsher realities of the Seven Kingdoms, where vows are flexible and chivalry is often a performance.
Dexter Sol Ansell portrays Egg, Dunk’s quick-witted and seemingly ordinary squire. Viewers, however, will quickly learn that Egg is far more than he appears: he is secretly Prince Aegon Targaryen, hiding his identity beneath a shaved head and commoner’s clothes. Through Egg, the show can move fluidly between tavern gossip and royal politics, giving us a rare ground-level view of a future king.
A Cast Tied Deeply to Targaryen History
Surrounding Dunk and Egg is a lineup of characters who anchor the show firmly in Targaryen-era Westeros:
- Finn Bennett plays Aerion Targaryen, known as “Aerion Brightflame,” a volatile prince whose ambitions and cruelty make him one of the era’s most dangerous wild cards.
- Bertie Carvel appears as Baelor Targaryen, nicknamed “Baelor Breakspear,” a prince with a reputation for both martial prowess and political weight.
- Sam Spruell takes on the role of Prince Maekar Targaryen, whose stern presence and decisions will shape the Targaryen family’s fate.
- Daniel Ings portrays Lyonel Baratheon, called the “Laughing Storm,” representing House Baratheon with the mix of swagger and stormy pride that fans may recognize from later Baratheons.
- Tanzyn Crawford plays Tanselle, a puppeteer from Dorne whose artistry and outsider status bring a different cultural perspective to the story.
By following a landless knight and a hidden prince as they move from campsites to taverns to tourney stands, the series offers a tour of Westeros from below, rather than from the Iron Throne. That change of vantage point is a key part of what makes A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feel fresh within a familiar universe.
Timeline: Where This New Series Fits in the Game of Thrones Universe
With multiple HBO shows now exploring different eras of Westeros, it helps to situate A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in the broader timeline:
- The events unfold about 72 years after House of the Dragon, which chronicles the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
- The story takes place roughly a hundred years before the beginning of Game of Thrones, well before the rise of characters like Ned Stark, Robert Baratheon, or Daenerys Targaryen.
- The Targaryen dynasty still controls the Iron Throne, but their magical advantage—dragons—has vanished. Political cunning, marriage alliances, and reputations replace dragonfire as the chief tools of power.
For fans in the United States, this middle-period setting provides a bridge between the high-drama Targaryen civil war and the later collapse of the monarchy we saw on HBO’s flagship series. For new viewers, it’s a relatively clean entry point: important names and sigils will be familiar to many, but the plot doesn’t require prior knowledge.
Release Date, Streaming, and How to Watch
HBO is positioning A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms as its next major fantasy event. Here’s what’s confirmed so far:
- U.S. Premiere on HBO: January 18, 2026.
- Streaming on Max: Episodes will be available the following day, January 19, 2026, in countries where Max operates.
- French Release: The show will debut in France on January 19, 2026.
Like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, the series will air weekly, encouraging social media conversation and theory-crafting between episodes—something HBO has clearly leaned into with its big-budget genre shows aimed at North American audiences.
Inside the Production: A Three-Season Plan and Familiar Visual DNA
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was created for television by George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker, with HBO producing the series as an official part of the Game of Thrones franchise. The first season consists of six episodes, directed by Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith.
Filming took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from June to September 2024—returning to one of the primary production hubs that defined the look of the original Game of Thrones. Viewers in the U.S. can expect the same rugged landscapes, detailed armor, and lived-in medieval aesthetic that made Westeros feel tangible the first time around.
Behind the scenes, HBO isn’t treating this as a one-off experiment. The network is reportedly planning a three-season arc, with each season adapting one of the novellas from The Tales of Dunk and Egg (also known in French as Chroniques du chevalier errant). That long-term approach suggests a more self-contained, story-driven cycle rather than an open-ended spinoff trying to stretch a concept indefinitely.
Do You Need to Have Seen Game of Thrones First?
For American viewers wondering whether they must binge dozens of hours of prior content before starting this show, the answer is reassuring: you don’t have to.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is designed to stand on its own. You can follow Dunk and Egg’s journey without any background in Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon. The central themes—honor versus pragmatism, class and privilege, the gap between ideals and reality—are instantly understandable even if you’ve never heard of House Stark or the Wall.
That said, longtime fans will get extra layers of meaning. Familiar house names, sigils, and locations will resonate with viewers who know how things eventually play out a hundred years later. Political tensions and family dynamics may carry an additional sense of irony or tragedy if you recognize where certain bloodlines are headed.
What Makes This Prequel Especially Appealing for U.S. Audiences
From a storytelling and viewing-experience standpoint, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms hits several notes that tend to land well with American streaming audiences:
- A road story with a clear duo at its core: The dynamic between a rough-edged knight and a disguised prince gives the show the feel of a character-driven buddy tale wrapped in medieval fantasy.
- Lower-stakes settings with high emotional impact: Tourneys, feuds, and personal vendettas may be more relatable than apocalyptic wars or ancient prophecies, while still providing rich drama.
- Short, focused seasons: With six episodes in its first season, the series aligns with the current trend toward concise, highly produced runs that are easy to binge and discuss.
- Built-in franchise familiarity: Fans of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon will recognize the world, but the fresh premise makes it easier for people who skipped those series to jump in.
Key Facts About A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms at a Glance
- Setting: Westeros, about 72 years after House of the Dragon and roughly 100 years before Game of Thrones.
- Main characters: Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a hedge knight of humble origins, and Egg, his squire who is secretly Prince Aegon Targaryen.
- Ruling house: House Targaryen still holds the Iron Throne—without dragons.
- Format: Six-episode first season, with HBO eyeing three seasons total, each based on one of the Dunk and Egg novellas.
- Creators: George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker.
- Production: HBO; filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland, mid-2024.
- U.S. release: January 18, 2026 on HBO; streaming on Max starting January 19, 2026.
FAQ
When does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere on HBO and Max?
The first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is scheduled to premiere on HBO in the United States on January 18, 2026. It will be available to stream on Max starting January 19, 2026, in regions where the Max platform is offered. In France, the series will debut on January 19, 2026.
Where does the story fit in the Game of Thrones timeline?
The events of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms take place about 72 years after House of the Dragon and approximately 100 years before Game of Thrones. The Targaryens are still in control of the Iron Throne, but their dragons have disappeared, making political maneuvering and alliances more important than brute magical power.
Do I have to watch Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon first?
No. The series is built to be accessible even if you’ve never watched Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon. Prior knowledge of the franchise will add extra context and Easter eggs, but it’s not required to follow the plot, understand the characters, or enjoy the story.
How many seasons and episodes will there be?
The first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms consists of six episodes, directed by Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith. HBO is already considering a three-season structure overall, with each season adapting one of George R.R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas, offering a planned, cohesive arc rather than an open-ended spinoff.
