A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Review: A Joyful And Simplified Game of Thrones Story

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HBO’s new Game of Thrones prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has arrived, and it’s a welcome addition to the series. Unlike previous installments focused on the fight for the Iron Throne, this one offers a more intimate look at Westeros. With strong performances, unexpected twists, and well-placed humor, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

I’ve always been fascinated by George R.R. Martin. It seems like his biggest pastime is working on the Game of Thrones novels, though he’s also famously known for… well, not quite finishing them! He even writes about the process of delaying their completion, which is pretty unique. But beyond that, he’s constantly building out the world of Westeros in such imaginative ways. I especially adore his Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas – they’re a fantastic addition to the whole universe!

“Tales of Dunk and Egg” is a series of three novellas: “The Hedge Knight,” “The Sworn Sword,” and “The Mystery Knight.” These stories follow Dunk, a wandering knight, and his clever young squire, Egg, as they journey across Westeros, upholding the code of chivalry. You could think of Dunk as a bit like Jack Reacher, but with a squire and less confidence.

Compared to previous installments like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms offers a different approach. While Thrones focused on a large-scale war for the Iron Throne and the White Walker threat, and House of the Dragon depicted the Targaryen civil war, Knight presents a more down-to-earth story with smaller, everyday problems. This allows for a welcome blend of humor and drama that feels fresh compared to what we’ve seen before.

Excellent Performances Provide A Fun, Grounded Exploration of Martin’s World

After the death of his mentor, Ser Arlan of Pennytree, Dunk, played by Peter Claffey, enters a jousting tournament hoping to prove himself. He reluctantly takes on a young squire named Egg, portrayed by Dexter Sol Ansell, who is eager to learn from him despite being bald. As the tournament nears, a critical decision leads Dunk into a dangerous and complicated situation, especially when Aerion Targaryen, played by Finn Bennett, arrives and brings with him the intrigue of the royal court.

Peter Claffey is fantastic as Dunk, a kind and generally unremarkable hedge knight—except for his height and unwavering commitment to honor. In the cutthroat world of Westeros, a truly honorable knight is rare, and Claffey plays the role with a humble sincerity that’s been largely absent from Game of Thrones, where betrayal is common and only the Starks are known for being overly stoic. His performance is consistently strong and feels like a welcome change of pace.

Dexter Sol Ansell shines as Egg, a clever and confident boy who’s ironically bothered by being short, yet determined to become a worthy squire. He and his companion share a strong connection, with one constantly encouraging the other to believe in himself, and the other offering guidance and mentorship.

The rest of the cast is consistently strong, with each actor effectively playing their part. Finn Bennett is particularly memorable as the unpleasant Aerion Targaryen – a thoroughly unlikeable character with a hint of something darker, though not quite as extreme as Joffrey or Ramsay Bolton – and he provides a great contrast to the other characters. The supporting actors convincingly portray the common people of the realm, those who step aside for the nobility, bringing a fresh and realistic perspective to the world of the Seven Kingdoms.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Brings Charm To Westeros

The show gets a lot of laughs from Dunk’s early adventures, largely because he’s a fairly unskilled knight. He was discovered and trained by Ser Arlan of Pennytree, becoming only moderately proficient in combat. He’s not a terrible fighter, but he’s far from exceptional. While remarkably tall, he’s poor, not very bright, and lacks cunning. This, combined with his kind heart, makes him a compelling and enjoyable character to watch throughout the season.

As the story picks up, it delivers genuine excitement and impressive sword fights. The latter half of the series is particularly fast-paced, leading to a satisfying conclusion and introducing a lot of interesting characters. Despite being short – only six episodes – the series manages to fit in a surprising amount. While it’s based on shorter stories than George R.R. Martin’s massive novels, it’s an enjoyable watch, and you’ll wish there were more episodes in each season.

The show dedicates an episode to flashbacks, leaving us with only five episodes to experience the main story. This really emphasizes how much better the longer seasons of the past were. It’s obvious there’s a lot more of this world we don’t get to see, and while the series is still good overall, it feels a bit rushed in places. Despite being short, it’s still an enjoyable look into this detailed fantasy universe, and HBO has delivered a worthy addition to the franchise (even if it wasn’t as long as some might have hoped).

“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” offers a refreshing look at Westeros, exploring new facets of its society and introducing a genuinely good character – possibly the last of his kind. The series moves quickly, leaving you wanting more, which is promising given the potential for future stories. While the earlier “Thrones” shows were known for intense drama and conflict, this series delivers something often missing before: genuine warmth and charm. It’s a strong start, made even better by the excellent performances of the lead actors, and breathes new life into the world of Westeros.

Final Rating: 8/10

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres January 18, 2026 on HBO.

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2026-01-14 02:05