Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones is widely considered one of the best-developed and most popular characters in fantasy. Peter Dinklage’s performance and George R.R. Martin’s complex writing combined to create a truly unforgettable figure. While the first Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, didn’t feature anyone quite like Tyrion—which was probably a good thing—the new prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, may offer a character that fans will connect with just as strongly.
The first season, consisting of six episodes, follows the journey of Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall and his squire, Egg. It focuses less on kings and queens and more on the everyday people of Westeros. Set during a tournament at Ashford Meadow, Dunk and Egg meet a memorable cast of characters, including Lyonel Baratheon, who has quickly become a popular favorite. Thanks to Daniel Ings’s compelling performance, many viewers see him as the new Tyrion Lannister of the series.
Lyonel Baratheon Is the Tyrion Lannister of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’
HBO
Ser Lyonel Baratheon, nicknamed “The Laughing Storm,” first appears when Dunk accidentally wanders into his tent in the opening episode of the series. He earned this nickname because he famously laughed at his rivals during tournaments. From the start, Lyonel comes across as someone who’s always up for a good time – a fun-loving and charismatic character who can even be thoughtful while drinking. He strongly resembles Tyrion Lannister in personality, and not only because he enjoys wine – though that’s certainly a factor!
This character clearly carries strong traits from the Baratheon family – and it’s easy to see how. He seems to blend qualities of Renly, Stannis, and Robert, and might even be their ancestor. Like Renly, he’s naturally charming, but he also has a bit of Stannis’s tendency to be extreme – we see this when he angrily threatens Dunk. Plus, he shares Robert’s love of drinking and seeking excitement, which is evident in his enthusiastic participation in the tug-of-war competition in the episode “Hard Salt Beef.”
Lyonel Baratheon Is More Than the Life of the Party
HBO
The comparisons to Tyrion Lannister seem more fitting, though. Unlike the Baratheons, who have very strong personalities, Lyonel feels more similar to Tyrion. He’s complex and has many layers. Like Tyrion, he constantly seeks excitement, almost as if he’s trying to hide a troubling side of himself.
Both Tyrion and Lyonel hide their true feelings behind a carefully crafted persona. Tyrion uses wit and intelligence, while Lyonel pretends to be a simple, fun-loving guy. But beneath the surface, Lyonel is much more complex, occasionally revealing surprising wisdom even while admitting to being drunk – a trait reminiscent of Tyrion. Both men are also quick with a sharp remark and share a similar bravery. Interestingly, they even look alike.
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Lyonel Baratheon isn’t a central figure in The Hedge Knight like Tyrion Lannister is in A Song of Ice and Fire, so his significant role in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is unexpected. It’s even more surprising considering the showrunners intentionally drew parallels between the two characters. It remains to be seen if these comparisons will still be valid by the end of the season, but for now, viewers are enjoying Lyonel’s witty observations and fondness for drink.
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2026-01-27 00:36