A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Review: A Near-Perfect GOT Spinoff

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Duncan the Tall often recalled the words of Ser Arlan of Pennytree, particularly the idea that a simple, honorable knight is the most authentic kind. George R. R. Martin is known for complex, morally ambiguous characters in Game of Thrones, but it’s those who consistently choose kindness and goodness, even when facing terrible difficulties, that truly make the story resonate.

As a Game of Thrones fan, I went into A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms expecting a tough watch. It’s the third spin-off, and honestly, it had a bigger hill to climb than House of the Dragon did. House of the Dragon just needed to fix some past mistakes, but this series had to overcome not only the famously disappointing ending of Game of Thrones itself, but also the mixed reactions to House of the Dragon‘s second season. Thankfully, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms smartly avoids trying to be another sprawling epic. Instead, it focuses on a smaller, more personal story within Westeros, and that’s where it really shines. By resisting the urge to simply recreate Game of Thrones, this series manages to distinguish itself and ultimately, it’s a real winner.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Drives a Low Stakes Hero’s Journey

It’s true that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has faced a lot of criticism, but it hasn’t succumbed to negativity. Given George R.R. Martin’s history of objecting to changes made when his work is adapted, it’s clear he prefers adaptations to be very faithful to the source material. Whether that’s a realistic expectation is debatable, but it appears to be what he’s hoping for.

Developed by Ira Parker and Martin, drawing from the stories in Tales of Dunk and Egg, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place nearly 90 years before Game of Thrones and 77 years after the end of House of the Dragon‘s second season. The series explores the Targaryen dynasty after a devastating civil war, and how people now view the dragonriders.

The Targaryens have lost their former glory. Once revered as almost godlike figures thanks to their dragons, they’re now just another powerful family, as the dragons are gone. With the fear of dragonfire diminished and a period of relative peace settling over Westeros, the Targaryens no longer naturally command the story. This creates an opportunity for a new, less prominent character or family to take center stage, offering a different perspective on the world of Westeros through a more focused narrative.

The story begins with Duncan, nicknamed “Dunk” and played by Peter Claffey, burying the man who taught him everything he knows. Ser Arlan showed Dunk how to be a hedge knight – a wandering, often poor knight who travels the roads and helps people. Dunk respects this way of life, but he also dreams of more: could someone from the slums like him ever become a knight serving a powerful lord, or even join the elite Kingsguard?

Driven by a desire to make a name for himself, Dunk enters the Tourney of Ashford Meadow, hoping to catch the eye of important lords or even the Targaryen royal family. He unexpectedly ends up with a young, bald boy named Egg as his squire. Dunk embodies the classic hero: he strives for greatness but consistently finds himself helping those in need. However, unlike someone like Jon Snow, Dunk lacks the upbringing and poise of the nobility. True to his nickname, he’s a tall, clumsy man—always bumping his head and standing out in a crowd. It’s this awkwardness, though, that makes him such a likable and relatable character.

Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell Are a Charming Duo

Beyond being tall and awkward, the character is deeply shy and struggles with casual conversation – a difficult combination when trying to connect with attractive women or those of higher social standing. However, Claffey’s skillful portrayal reveals a man who is genuinely comfortable with himself, embracing traditionally ‘feminine’ traits that are often dismissed in Westeros, and demonstrating a healthy sense of masculinity.

Ansell is incredibly charming and brings a welcome energy to the role of Egg. He perfectly captures the joyful and naive perspective of a young teenager, providing a nice contrast to Dunk’s often gloomy thoughts. Although he previously appeared in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms demands a lot from Ansell – and it wasn’t just about shaving his head for the part.

Ansell is a captivating presence, nailing comedic timing and subtly portraying emotional vulnerability. Claffey and Ansell make a fantastic duo, exceeding the expectations of Martin and Parker. Though the supporting cast isn’t as central as in a show like Game of Thrones, they add enjoyable depth as memorable side characters. This includes the charming Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings), the boisterous heir to Storm’s End; the feuding Fossoway cousins (Edward Ashley and Shaun Thomas), who clearly don’t enjoy family gatherings; and the intriguing Dornish puppeteer, Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford).

Though the Targaryen family isn’t the main focus of the show, they still appear. It’s easier to keep track of them than the characters in House of the Dragon, as there are fewer of them, and it seems like they’ve stopped marrying so closely within the family, since many don’t have the typical white Targaryen hair.

Bertie Carvel delivers a surprisingly humble performance as the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. He frequently acts as the voice of reason, especially when dealing with his brother, Maekar (Sam Spruell), and his cruel nephew, Aerion (Finn Bennett). Aerion, a talented but hot-tempered knight, is a dangerous combination of Daemon Targaryen and Joffrey Baratheon. Meanwhile, Maekar spends much of the story lashing out, driven by worry over his lost sons, Daeron (Henry Ashton) and Aegon.

AKOTSK Embraces the Weirder (and Socially Conscious) Side of Game of Thrones

The Targaryens appear in Dunk’s story around the middle of the season, but the complex political maneuvering usually seen in Game of Thrones is largely missing. Because the story takes place over only a few days during a tournament, there isn’t time for drawn-out plots or major conflicts. The action is mostly confined to the Reach region, specifically at the tournament itself or near the elm tree where Dunk and Egg camp. Visual effects are minimal, with dragons absent, and fighting is limited to the sword fights during the tournament rounds.

The show aims to tell a more personal, medieval fantasy story, focusing on the lives of ordinary people. Unlike previous series, commoners are portrayed with greater complexity and humanity, moving beyond simple stereotypes. Instead of being presented as merely resentful of the nobility, they are shown as individuals with understandable grievances stemming from the vast social and economic divide in Westeros.

Compared to the previous two collections, these stories are told directly by the characters involved, giving them control over the narrative – and the destinies of the Targaryens. This setup promises a compelling story, and occasionally, the weight of Dunk’s good intentions leads to significant problems. However, overall, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a surprisingly lighthearted and humorous series.

Even when things get really serious, there are still moments of humor. As Dunk becomes increasingly involved in the Targaryen family’s problems, the situation becomes almost comically dramatic, like a parody of Shakespeare. Claffey skillfully uses his facial expressions to highlight the sheer absurdity of it all.

The show’s timing and delivery of jokes are excellent, likely due to the creator’s background working on the comedy-drama Better Things. Running gags, like a character constantly spitting or another character getting sick when anxious, land perfectly every time. Unlike shows like Game of Thrones, nudity is used sparingly and purposefully. When it appears, it’s often part of a funny situation, but isn’t the joke itself – the humor comes from the context, not the nudity.

Game of Thrones Has A Bright Future With A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

The show doesn’t shy away from physical scenes that might be considered shocking elsewhere, but here, they highlight how unsettlingly crude the behavior of both the nobility and common people is. There’s a particularly impactful moment in the first episode that directly addresses the audience in a subtle way, and while it’s deliberately disturbing, it effectively conveys a deeper meaning.

The episodes are shorter than usual for Game of Thrones, generally lasting between 30 and 40 minutes. This is partly because the show has a more comedic tone and tells a smaller-scale story. While it might feel strange at first, these shorter episodes work well with the show’s fast-paced and focused storyline, ultimately…

The adaptation works well overall, but there are two minor issues. First, a lengthy flashback in the second-to-last episode slows down the story when things are most exciting. Second, the character Dunk repeatedly emphasizes his desire for knighthood, which feels repetitive and slows the narrative flow.

“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is a truly stunning show, both to listen to and to watch. What’s remarkable is how uniquely it stands apart from earlier seasons, focusing the story on just two characters. Even without Ramin Djawadi composing the music, Dan Romer delivers a beautiful and moving score. And finally, a Game of Thrones series has mastered nighttime filming – the scenes are not only visible, but genuinely beautiful.

The adventures of Dunk and Egg are exciting and engaging, even if the story is told in a subtle way. It’s a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of growing up, finding bravery, and the importance of guidance, while also offering a detailed look at the society of Westeros. This story is very different from the grand spectacle of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, so it won’t appeal to all viewers. However, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is an epic story in its own way, sparked by a stroke of good fortune.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 at 10 PM ET on HBO.

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2026-01-14 01:21