Why A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Breaks A Game Of Thrones Runtime Tradition Explained By Creator In Light Of Audience Complaint

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has broken a major Game of Thrones tradition with its runtime.

Episodes of Game of Thrones usually lasted around an hour, with the longest reaching 82 minutes. The first spin-off series, House of the Dragon, followed suit, with each episode being at least 54 minutes long.

Interestingly, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms broke the pattern of longer episodes seen in other shows, with most running around 30 minutes. The first episode is the longest, clocking in at 42 minutes. Some viewers have commented that the new series feels rushed, particularly since the first season only has six episodes.

In an interview with GQ, the show’s creator, Ira Parker, explained the decision to make each episode only 30 minutes long. He revealed that HBO had already suggested this format early on. Parker admitted the shorter runtime “made it easier” to adapt the story, but he still needed to persuade George [R.R. Martin] that it could work as a good television series. Martin was initially worried the story wouldn’t have enough material to fill a longer format while remaining a faithful adaptation.

Choosing a shorter length for the adaptation proved to be the right decision. As Parker explained, they focused on delivering a concise story, similar to a three-hundred-page novel George R.R. Martin might have written, and avoided unnecessary detours or side stories. Parker also enjoyed the adaptation process, finding it both natural and easy because of this approach.

Once we realized HBO wasn’t going to rush things, we could really enjoy the process. We could spend more time exploring the world of Westeros and developing the characters of Dunk and Egg, particularly their relationship. In the first season, we planned to subtly introduce the members of the Trial of Seven before the main conflict. We also expanded the role of Lyonel Baratheon significantly from the books, where he only had a single line of dialogue before the trial. All of this felt very organic and came easily.

As a huge fan of these shows, I totally get why Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon needed those longer, hour-long episodes. They’re juggling so many characters and storylines, with everyone scattered all over the place, it just needed the time. But A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feels different. It’s much more focused on Ser Duncan and Egg, really digging into their relationship and journey. And honestly, it’s a bit of a relief that it’s a smaller story – no massive wars threatening the whole of Westeros this time around, which lets them really concentrate on the characters.

This series is based on George R. R. Martin’s collection of stories, Tales of Dunk and Egg. These stories are much shorter than the main Game of Thrones books, which often run between 600 and 700 pages. Because the source material is more concise, this new show can stay very true to the original narrative without needing to add extra plotlines to fill time.

This decision is particularly important considering Martin’s recent critiques of the TV adaptations. Although he previously expressed disappointment with the final season of Game of Thrones, similar problems have emerged with House of the Dragon. Martin has described his working relationship with the showrunner, Ryan Condal, as very poor.

I’ve been so impressed with how much care Parker put into this new HBO series. He really wanted to make sure Martin was happy with it, saying he knew how deeply Martin cared about the source material and those characters, and that making Martin happy this season was his top priority. And it clearly paid off! Martin absolutely loved the show, calling it incredible and saying it was the most faithful adaptation anyone could ask for. It’s wonderful to see that respect and collaboration shine through.

Viewers have noted the new spinoff’s episodes are short, but there’s a good reason for that. Each episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has impressed audiences with its focused storytelling, the engaging relationship between Ser Duncan and Egg, and the compelling Targaryen storyline. The latest episode, “Seven,” was almost universally praised, featuring Ser Duncan in a perilous trial by combat.

Despite some concerns about how long each episode runs, the show has been very well-received, currently boasting a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. And good news for fans – HBO has already ordered a second season, so the story will continue!

There are only two episodes remaining of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and they will be released on Sundays at 10 PM Eastern Time on HBO Max.

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2026-02-07 22:39