At a Glance
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres January 18, 2026 on HBO and HBO Max
- Six-episode season adapts George R.R. Martin’s novella The Hedge Knight
- Peter Claffey stars as Ser Duncan the Tall alongside Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg
Why it matters: The new Game of Thrones prequel spotlights the “small folk” caught between noble power plays, offering a grounded counterpoint to dragon-heavy sagas.
HBO has locked a premiere date for its next Westeros adventure. The spinoff, set a century before Game of Thrones, follows a humble knight and his unlikely squire through tournament fields and royal feuds.
From Page to Screen
George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas serve as source material. The first installment, The Hedge Knight, clocks in at a brisk 164 pages-far shorter than Martin’s door-stopper novels. Martin writes and executive produces the adaptation, ensuring the author’s voice remains intact.
Ryan Condal, who also co-created House of the Dragon, pitched the concept eight years ago when HBO first explored spinoffs. Executives wanted something “bigger and crazier,” but Condal held firm on the smaller-scale story. Early development finally launched in 2021.
Plot Snapshot
The official HBO logline sets the stage:
> “A young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg, navigate an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet faded.”
Expect jousting mishaps, class clashes, and a feud with Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen after Dunk defends a puppeteer named Tanselle.
Cast Breakdown
| Character | Actor | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Ser Duncan the Tall | Peter Claffey | Naïve knight seeking honor |
| Egg | Dexter Sol Ansell | Secretly highborn squire |
| Aerion Targaryen | Finn Bennett | Royal antagonist |
| Baelor Targaryen | Bertie Carvel | Heir to the throne, Dunk’s ally |
| Maekar Targaryen | Sam Spruell | Aerion’s father |
| Tanselle | Tanzyn Crawford | Puppeteer and love interest |
Sarah Adina Smith (Lessons in Chemistry) directs three episodes; Owen Harris (Black Mirror) handles the remaining three and also executive produces.
First Footage
A December 2025 trailer shows Dunk fumbling through knightly duties before Egg persuades him to take him on as squire. Quick cuts reveal jousting lances splintering, Targaryen sigils blazing, and countryside vistas familiar to longtime fans. The tone blends humor, swordplay, and political tension.
An earlier teaser dropped in August 2024 inside HBO Max’s sizzle reel, confirming production was underway.
Where to Watch
Episodes stream day-and-date on HBO Max and air on HBO starting January 18, 2026. Subscribers can revisit Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon while they wait.
Key Takeaways
- Six episodes adapt The Hedge Knight into a compact season
- Martin’s novella focus on commoners offers fresh perspective
- Premiere date lands squarely in the new-year spotlight, setting up HBO’s winter slate
