Game of Thrones creator is “so so happy” with new prequel show A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Game of Thrones creator is "so so happy" with new prequel show A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

As a devoted fan and follower of George R.R. Martin’s captivating works, I must say that my heart skipped a beat when I read about his recent visit to the set of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.” Having grown up with the characters of A Song of Ice and Fire, it was a dream come true to learn that the mastermind behind the epic series has found such joy in the upcoming prequel.

Over the summer, I had the incredible opportunity to jet off to the United Kingdom for the World Science Fiction Convention – an event where I even managed to snag an interview with none other than George R.R. Martin, the genius behind “Game of Thrones.” But that wasn’t all! For three days, I was granted exclusive access to the set of the upcoming prequel series, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” inspired by his beloved “Dunk & Egg” novellas. Now, George has shared some fascinating insights from his visit on his blog, and let me tell you, he’s absolutely thrilled with what he saw!

To kick things off, here’s a quick summary about the series “Dunk & Egg”: The main characters are a towering knight and his small squire, set to be portrayed by Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell on television. Their paths cross near Ashford in the Reach, where the knight is participating in a tournament. This adventure is detailed in “The Hedge Knight,” published in 1998, which is the first of George R.R. Martin’s three “Dunk & Egg” novellas so far and forms the foundation for the upcoming TV series titled “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms“, consisting of six episodes.

As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of George R.R. Martin’s work, I can’t help but share my excitement about the “Dunk & Egg” novellas. These captivating tales are set nearly a century before the events unfolding in the current storyline of the “Game of Thrones” prequel series, “House of the Dragon.

As a fervent fan, one of the captivating aspects of George R.R. Martin’s works is the contrast between the grandeur of “A Song of Ice and Fire” and “Fire & Blood,” which are vast, epic narratives brimming with colossal battles and towering figures, and the more personal, humorous, and character-focused “Dunk & Egg” novellas. Despite the smaller scale, “KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS,” with its much smaller budget compared to “GAME OF THRONES” or “HOUSE OF THE DRAGON,” still holds immense potential for greatness in my eyes. Martin himself expressed this sentiment, stating that although most of the story unfolds in a field surrounded by tents, it shouldn’t appear fake or cheap, and the costumes, heraldry, fights, and overall production had to be magnificent. Seeing what showrunner Ira Parker and his team had created filled me with joy.

George R.R. Martin saw the first episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: “I loved it.”

Recently, Martin has shared his concerns about the direction of House of the Dragon, but it’s refreshing to see him eager for this upcoming spinoff. He described the atmosphere on set as electrifying, even amidst the rain and mud. “The enthusiasm was tangible,” he penned. “Every person I interacted with appeared to be in high spirits and genuinely enjoyed their work.

Martin added, “Dunk and Egg, portrayed by Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell, seemed like characters straight from my novel. Their connection was spot-on. The entire ensemble was outstanding too.

Here’s a group photo featuring Martin, episode director Owen Harris, Peter Claffey dressed as Dunk, and the showrunner, Ira Parker.

As I find myself amidst an intriguing gathering, let me share with you who stands before me, from one side to another: To my left is Owen Harris, then George R.R. Martin, followed by Peter Claffey, and finally Ira Parker on the set of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
— Winter is Coming (@TopMobnet) October 10, 2024

Martin additionally snapped a photo with Tanzyn Crawford, the actress set to portray the towering puppeteer Tanselle Too-Tall. “The dragon puppet of Tanselle was equally fascinating; I’m eagerly anticipating seeing it come to life on stage.

George R.R. Martin and star Tanzyn Crawford on the set of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
— Winter is Coming (@TopMobnet) October 10, 2024

Despite being based on a novella with approximately 30,000 words, which is shorter than Martin’s famously lengthy novels, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” still features a sizable ensemble cast. On the day Martin visited the set, he didn’t catch everyone in action, but he did get to witness actor Daniel Iggs performing as Lyonel Baratheon, also known as the Laughing Storm. According to Martin, Iggs was “boisterous and entertaining, embodying Baratheon perfectly.

To date, everything seems wonderful indeed! Even more excitingly, a couple of weeks following my return, I caught a glimpse of the initial episode’s preliminary version. It was terrific, and I eagerly anticipate seeing more.

As an eager fan, I’m looking forward to the potential spring 2025 release of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” although Martin hinted that it might just be a working title and they’re considering calling it “The Hedge Knight” instead. Personally, I prefer the shorter, more direct title, “The Hedge Knight.

2024-10-10 22:41