A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel set roughly 90 years before the main saga. Season 1 — six episodes adapting The Hedge Knight — aired on HBO and HBO Max from January 18 to February 22, 2026, and was renewed for Season 2 before the first episode even aired. Peter Claffey stars as Ser Duncan the Tall (“Dunk”) with Dexter Sol Ansell as young Aegon Targaryen (“Egg”). Production on Season 2 began in Belfast in December 2025, with a 2027 premiere expected. Last updated: June 7, 2026.
For fans who burned through House of the Dragon and were hungry for more Westerosi lore, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms delivered. This isn’t a spin-off made from thin air — it’s drawn directly from three richly detailed novellas by George R.R. Martin, and HBO has given it the full prestige treatment. If you want the wider picture of every show streaming right now, see our 2026 TV Survival Guide.
⚡ TL;DR — A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Quick Answer
- Season 1 aired: January 18 – February 22, 2026 on HBO and HBO Max. Six episodes, ~30 minutes each.
- Season 1 content: Adapted The Hedge Knight, the first Dunk and Egg novella.
- Cast: Peter Claffey (Dunk), Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg), Sam Spruell (Ser Steffon Fossoway), Bertie Carvel, Daniel Ings.
- Season 2: Renewed November 2025; filming began December 2025 in Belfast; expected to premiere in 2027.
- Setting: Westeros, roughly 90 years before Game of Thrones. Targaryens still rule; dragons extinct.
- Where to watch: HBO Max (US), Sky Atlantic/NOW (UK).
In This Article
When Did A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Release?
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiered on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 10 PM ET on HBO with simultaneous streaming on HBO Max. The six-episode first season ran weekly through to its finale on February 22, 2026. The show was greenlit following the strong performance of House of the Dragon, with HBO confirming a Season 2 renewal in November 2025 — before the show had even aired.
Season 1 Episode Schedule
- Episode 1: January 18, 2026
- Episode 2: January 25, 2026
- Episode 3: February 1, 2026
- Episode 4: February 8, 2026
- Episode 5: February 15, 2026
- Episode 6 (finale): February 22, 2026
Who Is in the Cast?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Show Title | A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms |
| Network / Platform | HBO & HBO Max |
| Season 1 Aired | January 18 – February 22, 2026 (6 episodes) |
| Genre | Fantasy / Adventure / Drama |
| Based On | Tales of Dunk and Egg by George R.R. Martin |
| Lead Actors | Peter Claffey (Dunk), Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) |
| Showrunner | Ira Parker |
| Executive Producers | George R.R. Martin, Ira Parker, Ryan Condal |
| Setting | Westeros, ~90 years before Game of Thrones |
| Season 2 Status | In production in Belfast (filming since Dec 2025); 2027 premiere expected |
- Peter Claffey plays Ser Duncan the Tall, a hedge knight of low birth with a strong moral compass.
- Dexter Sol Ansell plays Egg, the young Targaryen prince travelling incognito as Dunk’s squire.
- Bertie Carvel, Daniel Ings, Sam Spruell, and Henry Ashton round out the Season 1 ensemble.
- The series is shepherded by showrunner Ira Parker and executive produced by George R.R. Martin himself, alongside House of the Dragon’s Ryan Condal.
Where Does It Fit in the Game of Thrones Timeline?
This is where things get genuinely exciting for lore enthusiasts. The Dunk and Egg stories take place approximately 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones and about 80 years after House of the Dragon. Here’s a quick orientation:
- House of the Dragon — Set ~170 years before Game of Thrones. Covers the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms — Set ~90 years before Game of Thrones. The Targaryens still sit the Iron Throne, but dragons are extinct. Westeros is politically fractured.
- Game of Thrones — The original series. Robert Baratheon has deposed the Targaryens. The Stark family enters the fray.
Egg — the young boy Dunk travels with — is actually Aegon V Targaryen, the same king referenced obliquely in Game of Thrones as “King Aegon the Unlikely.” He’s also the great-grandfather of Daenerys Targaryen. This is a critical thread for fans who want to understand how the Targaryen dynasty crumbled long before Cersei and Robert came along.
What Are the Dunk and Egg Stories About?
The three published novellas — The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight — follow an unlikely duo as they journey through a Westeros still scarred by civil war. The tone is lighter than Game of Thrones but no less dangerous. Think road-trip adventure meets political intrigue, with tournament jousts and rebel plots along the way. Season 1 adapted The Hedge Knight, centred on the Tourney at Ashford Meadow and the Trial of the Seven that closes that novella. Season 2 is widely expected to adapt The Sworn Sword.
Season 2: What We Know So Far
HBO confirmed the Season 2 renewal in November 2025, before Season 1 had even aired — a strong vote of confidence from a network that had seen early cuts. Filming on Season 2 began in Belfast, Northern Ireland in December 2025, and is expected to continue through mid-2026. No premiere date has been announced, but industry consensus points to a January or February 2027 release window, mirroring Season 1’s schedule. The episode count for Season 2 has not been confirmed.
Is This Show Suitable for Viewers Who Haven’t Seen Game of Thrones?
Yes — intentionally so. HBO designed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to function as a standalone entry point into the world of Westeros. You don’t need to have watched Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon to follow Dunk and Egg’s journey. The 30-minute episodes also make for a much more accessible binge than the hour-plus episodes of its predecessors. That said, longtime fans will catch dozens of satisfying lore references. While you’re exploring 2026’s biggest TV, also see our guide to The Pitt, HBO’s other 2026 hit, and our Stranger Things Season 5 Finale breakdown.
Key Takeaways
- Season 1 aired January 18 to February 22, 2026 — six 30-minute episodes adapting The Hedge Knight.
- HBO renewed the show for Season 2 in November 2025, before the premiere.
- Season 2 filming began in Belfast in December 2025; 2027 premiere expected.
- Set ~90 years before Game of Thrones — the most “recent” Westeros prequel.
- Egg (Aegon V Targaryen) is the great-grandfather of Daenerys — a direct bloodline link to Game of Thrones.
- No dragons appear — they’ve been extinct in this era — making the show more grounded in human drama.
- 30-minute episodes make this the most accessible Westeros series HBO has produced.
Also on Bee Bulletin: Stranger Things Season 5 Finale Explained | 2026 TV Survival Guide | The Pitt Explained
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms FAQ
When did A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere?
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiered on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 10 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max. The six-episode first season aired weekly through to its finale on February 22, 2026.
How many episodes are in Season 1?
Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has six episodes, each approximately 30 minutes long. The season adapts the first Dunk and Egg novella, The Hedge Knight, which George R.R. Martin published in 1998.
Has A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms been renewed for Season 2?
Yes. HBO renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for Season 2 in November 2025, before Season 1 had even premiered. Filming for Season 2 began in Belfast, Northern Ireland in December 2025. A 2027 premiere is expected, though no specific date has been confirmed.
Is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms a prequel to Game of Thrones?
Yes. It’s set approximately 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones and features entirely different characters, though some families — like the Targaryens and Lannisters — appear in earlier generations. It is also set about 80 years after the events of House of the Dragon.
Who are Dunk and Egg in the Game of Thrones universe?
Dunk (Ser Duncan the Tall) is a hedge knight of low birth who eventually rises to become Lord Commander of the Kingsguard under Aegon V. Egg — the boy travelling as his squire — grows up to become King Aegon V Targaryen, the great-grandfather of Daenerys Targaryen.
Do you need to watch House of the Dragon before A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
No. While House of the Dragon enriches your understanding of Targaryen history, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is designed to be enjoyed independently with no prior viewing required. The 30-minute episode format also makes it more accessible than the two-hour episodes of its predecessors.
