HBO's new series 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' premieres on January 18, 2026, providing a small-scale contrast to the epic scope of 'Game of Thrones.' Adapted from George R.R. Martin's novellas, the show follows lowborn knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg during a jousting tournament set 90 years before the original series. With six episodes under 45 minutes each, it emphasizes crude humor, humble characters, and Westeros' everyday life.
The series, co-created by Ira Parker and George R.R. Martin, shifts away from the sprawling civil wars and massive ensembles of 'Game of Thrones' and 'House of the Dragon.' Instead, it centers on a single point-of-view character, Ser Duncan the Tall—known as Dunk—played by Peter Claffey. As a hedge knight, a wandering fighter without lands or title, Dunk inherits little after burying his mentor Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb) and heads to the Ashford tournament in the Reach to seek fortune and reputation.
There, he encounters Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), a bald-headed stableboy who becomes his squire despite initial bickering. The duo represents scrappy underdogs amid vaunted nobles, with Dunk's rope belt and earnest quest for knighthood highlighting the show's rustic tone. One character describes a hedge knight as 'like a knight, but sadder.' Episodes run about 30 minutes, focusing on the tournament over a few days in a period of relative peace, though bloodshed lingers.
Directors Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith maintain high production values, with hundreds of extras in grimy period garb, but the narrative stays grounded. Crude humor features prominently, from bodily functions in the premiere to a rollicking dance instead of battles. Supporting cast includes Finn Bennett as smug prince Aerion and Daniel Ings as jolly drunkard Lyonel Baratheon. Flashbacks reveal Dunk's idealized views of knighthood, tested by corrupt nobles and skepticism over his dubbing.
Reviews praise its irreverence, comparing it to 'Andor' for exploring ordinary Westeros life. Ramin Djawadi's score swells early, but the show opts for simplicity, like a basic title card over elaborate credits. A second season is already ordered for next year. Premiering at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and Max, with weekly Sunday episodes, it promises a refreshing entry for fans weary of dense lore.
