‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’: All the Details on the ‘Game Of Thrones’ Prequel, From Plot to Premiere Date & George R.R. Martin’s Involvement

George R.R. Martin, the creator of Game of Thrones, has viewed all six episodes of the prequel series, initially called The Hedge Knight, and has expressed strong approval. On his blog, Martin stated that he loved the episodes and praised the actors portraying Dunk and Egg, characters he has long cherished.

HBO has released first-look footage for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, joining upcoming shows like The Last of Us and The White Lotus. The series was officially ordered in April 2023 and is adapted from Martins Dunk & Egg novellas.

Premise

The story is set roughly a century before Game of Thrones and follows two unlikely heroes: Ser Duncan the Tall, a brave but inexperienced knight, and his small squire, Egg. The series unfolds in a time when the Targaryens still rule Westeros and dragons are part of living memory, promising epic adventures and formidable adversaries.

Timeline in Relation to Other Series

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place about 72 years after House of the Dragon and around 100 years prior to Game of Thrones.

Source Material

The series draws from three Dunk & Egg novellas. The first novella, The Hedge Knight, serves as the foundation for the prequel, which initially carried the working title A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.

Cast

Early casting announcements included Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, Bertie Carvel as Baelor Targaryen, Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Barotheon, and Sam Spruell as Maekar Targaryen. Later additions featured Edward Ashley, Henry Ashton, Youssef Kerkour, Daniel Monks, Shaun Thomas, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, and Danny Webb.

Title Explanation

Martin clarified that the series could not simply be named Dunk & Egg, as the title needed to appeal to viewers unfamiliar with the novellas. The term knight emphasizes the storys focus on chivalry and heroism.

Martin's Involvement

George R.R. Martin is both writing and executive producing the series. He confirmed that the pilot script is completed and described it as terrific. He has also seen all six episodes, praising their quality. The series will be shorter than Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon and will feature a distinct tone while retaining Westeros' dangerous world.

Creative Team

Ira Parker, who wrote for House of the Dragon, is the writer and executive producer of the prequel and penned the pilot. Ryan Condal, the showrunner for House of the Dragon, also serves as an executive producer, along with Vince Gerardis, Owen Harris, and Sarah Bradshaw.

Faithfulness to Martin's Work

The series aims to stay true to the Dunk & Egg novellas, which are full narratives akin to Martins A Song of Ice and Fire novels rather than historical summaries like Fire & Blood. Martin has expressed confidence that the adaptation will remain faithful to the source material.

Production and Cost

While the budget has not been disclosed, it is expected to be significant, though likely less than House of the Dragon Season 1, which cost nearly $200 million. Martin indicated the first season of The Hedge Knight may consist of six episodes.

Where to Watch

The series will stream on Max, with several subscription tiers available: Max Ad Light, Max Ad Free, and Max Ultimate Ad Free. House of the Dragon remains available on both Max and HBO cable channels.

Release Date and Episodes

The prequel is set to premiere on January 18, 2026, with six episodes planned, making it shorter than both House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones.

Future Dunk & Egg Adaptations

Two additional novellas, The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight, could also be adapted if The Hedge Knight succeeds. Martin has plans for more stories, including The Village Hero, a Winterfell tale, a Dornish adventure, and others with working titles like The Sellsword and The Kingsguard. However, he hopes to finish The Winds of Winter first.

Author: Olivia Parker