Before audiences have even glimpsed the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his diminutive squire Egg, HBO has renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for Season 2. The announcement came during a press presentation in New York on November 20, 2025, where Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max Content, confirmed the early renewal alongside House of the Dragon’s Season 4 pickup.
The vote of confidence arrives two months before the series premieres on January 18, 2026, signaling the network’s strong belief in the Game of Thrones prequel’s potential. Season 2 is slated to debut in 2027, giving fans of George R.R. Martin’s Westeros something to look forward to for the next three years.
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Why HBO’s Early Renewal Makes Strategic Sense
The nature of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms allows for a quicker turnaround versus fellow prequel House of the Dragon, which releases a new season every 2 years. The production scale differs dramatically between the two series, with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms producing shorter seasons consisting of six half-hour episodes compared to House of the Dragon’s 8-10 hourlong episodes.
| A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms vs House of the Dragon |
|---|
| Format: 6 half-hour episodes vs 8-10 hour-long episodes |
| Production Scale: Intimate, character-driven vs Epic, battle-focused |
| Turnaround Time: Annual potential vs 2-year cycles |
| Timeline Setting: 100 years before Game of Thrones vs 200 years before |
HBO’s Head of Drama Series and Films Francesca Orsi told Deadline in February that A Knight of Seven Kingdoms is done on a smaller, more “intimate” scale than the other Game of Thrones series. This approach not only reduces production complexity but also allows for faster delivery of new seasons.
The Three-Season Plan for Dunk and Egg
Orsi confirmed that the show is still on track for a three-season run spanning Martin’s three Dunk and Egg books. The published novellas—The Hedge Knight (1998), The Sworn Sword (2003), and The Mystery Knight (2010)—provide the source material for this planned trilogy. Season 1 adapts The Hedge Knight, with subsequent seasons expected to follow the remaining novellas.
The series serves as a prequel to Game of Thrones and is set roughly 100 years before the events of the mothership show. Taking place during the reign of the Targaryen dynasty when the Iron Throne remains secure and dragons still live in recent memory, the series follows two unlikely heroes wandering Westeros on a quest for honor and adventure.
Meet Dunk and Egg: The Central Partnership
Peter Claffey has been cast as Dunk, while Dexter Sol Ansell has been cast as Egg. Claffey, a former Connacht Rugby player, brings physical presence to the towering hedge knight, while young Ansell—who portrayed young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes—embodies the clever squire hiding a royal secret.
The official logline describes their dynamic perfectly: “A young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.”
Supporting Cast Brings Westeros to Life
The ensemble includes True Detective: Night Country’s Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, The Crown’s Bertie Carvel as Baelor Targaryen, and The Gentlemen’s Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon. Additional cast members include Daniel Ings, Bertie Carvel, Danny Webb, Sam Spruell, Shaun Thomas, Finn Bennett, Edward Ashley, Tanzyn Crawford, Henry Ashton, Youssef Kerkour, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and Daniel Monks.
Notably, the series features Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree, Dunk’s former master whose death sets the entire story in motion. Orsi praised the lead performances: “You’re going be so impressed by Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell as Dunk and Egg, the two leads”.
What Makes This Prequel Different
Unlike the political machinations and large-scale warfare of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms embraces a more personal, character-driven approach. The series lacks opening title sequences and the iconic Game of Thrones theme music, opting instead for simple medieval typography title cards that appear between scenes.
Co-creator and showrunner Ira Parker explained this decision aligns with the essence of Dunk’s character—a wandering hedge knight with limited resources but unwavering ideals. “You don’t exactly know the final destination, but you just keep at it,” Parker noted. “That’s all Dunk has. That’s his only superpower. He gets up and, one foot in front of the other, he keeps going.”
| Production Team |
|---|
| Co-Creators: George R.R. Martin, Ira Parker |
| Showrunner: Ira Parker |
| Directors: Owen Harris, Sarah Adina Smith |
| Executive Producers: Martin, Parker, Sarah Bradshaw, Owen Harris, Ryan Condal, Vince Gerardis |
HBO’s Westeros Strategy Through 2028
The renewal means Thrones fans will have new dispatches out of Westeros every year through 2028. With A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 premiering January 2026, House of the Dragon Season 3 arriving summer 2026, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 in 2027, and House of the Dragon Season 4 in 2028, HBO has locked in a consistent stream of content from Martin’s universe.
Francesca Orsi stated: “We are thrilled to be able to deliver new seasons of these two series for the next three years, for the legion of fans of the Game of Thrones universe. Together, House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reveal just how expansive and richly imagined George R. R. Martin’s universe continues to be“.
The decision reflects lessons learned from Game of Thrones’ 2019 conclusion, when HBO faced criticism for not capitalizing more aggressively on one of television’s most popular properties. By committing to multiple series with staggered release schedules, the network ensures sustained engagement with the franchise.
From Page to Screen: The Dunk and Egg Legacy
Three novellas have been published—The Hedge Knight (1998), The Sworn Sword (2003), and The Mystery Knight (2010)—and Martin has stated his intention to continue the series. The author has mentioned plans for anywhere from six to twelve total stories covering the entire lives of these two characters.
A collection of the existing three novellas, with illustrations by Gary Gianni, was published as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on October 6, 2015. The book became a fan favorite for its more optimistic tone compared to the main A Song of Ice and Fire series, focusing on personal honor and friendship rather than political intrigue and betrayal.
Martin has discussed two additional unpublished novellas with working titles The She-Wolves of Winterfell (set at Winterfell) and The Village Hero (set in the Riverlands), though both remain unfinished as the author prioritizes completing The Winds of Winter.
What Season 1 Will Cover
Season 1 adapts The Hedge Knight, which begins with the death of Ser Arlan of Pennytree. His squire Dunk decides to continue as a knight himself, heading to the Ashford Meadow tournament to earn money and prove his worth. Along the way, he encounters a bald boy who insists on becoming his squire—eventually revealed to be Prince Aegon Targaryen, nicknamed Egg.
The story centers on a trial by combat after Dunk defends a puppeteer girl from Prince Aerion Targaryen’s abuse. The conflict escalates into a Trial of Seven, the first in a century, where Dunk must find six champions to fight alongside him. The narrative explores themes of honor, class, and what it truly means to be a knight beyond the trappings of nobility.
Filming wrapped months ago, with post-production now complete. Martin stated in January 2025: “I’ve seen all six episodes now (the last two in rough cuts, admittedly), and I loved them. Dunk and Egg have always been favorites of mine, and the actors we found to portray them are just incredible“.
The Road Ahead for Westeros
HBO’s early renewal demonstrates extraordinary confidence in programming that hasn’t reached viewers yet. While this carries considerable risk—no audience metrics exist to justify the decision—the network clearly believes the Game of Thrones brand carries enough cultural cachet to warrant the investment.
The commitment also locks in substantial production resources years ahead of time, ensuring continuity for the creative team and cast. With both A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and House of the Dragon confirmed through 2028, HBO has secured its fantasy programming lineup for the foreseeable future.
For fans who fell in love with Martin’s world through Game of Thrones, the promise of annual visits to Westeros through different eras and perspectives offers an unprecedented opportunity to explore the depth and breadth of one of fantasy’s most richly imagined universes.
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FAQs
When does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 premiere?
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1 premieres on January 18, 2026, on HBO and HBO Max, with new episodes airing subsequent Sundays.
How many episodes will each season have?
Each season consists of six half-hour episodes, making it a more compact viewing experience than House of the Dragon’s hourlong format.
Who are Dunk and Egg in Game of Thrones lore?
Ser Duncan the Tall eventually becomes Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, while Egg becomes King Aegon V Targaryen, nicknamed Aegon the Unlikely.
Will there be dragons in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
The series takes place roughly 50 years after the death of the last dragon in the Targaryen dynasty, so dragons will not be featured despite being part of recent memory.
Is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms connected to House of the Dragon?
Yes, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place approximately 72 years after House of the Dragon and 100 years before Game of Thrones, all within the same continuity.
