The short answer
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is HBO’s half-hour Game of Thrones prequel about the hedge knight Dunk and his squire Egg. Season 1 ran six episodes from January 18 to February 22, 2026, and Season 2 is coming in the first half of 2027, although HBO has not named an exact premiere date yet.
- Season 2 release: First half of 2027, per HBO chief Casey Bloys and showrunner Ira Parker. No date or trailer yet.
- Season 2 story: Adapts George R.R. Martin’s novella The Sworn Sword, set in the drought-stricken Reach.
- New cast: Lucy Boynton (Lady Rohanne Webber), Babou Ceesay (Ser Bennis), Peter Mullan (Ser Eustace Osgrey).
- Timeline: About 90 years before Game of Thrones; House of the Dragon is set nearly 200 years before it.
- Where to watch: HBO and HBO Max in the US; Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK.
6
Episodes in Season 1
14M+
Average US viewers per episode
94%
Rotten Tomatoes critics score
9
Emmy nominations (1 win)
In this article
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the third Game of Thrones series from HBO, the premium cable network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It adapts Tales of Dunk and Egg, a set of novellas by George R.R. Martin, the author of the A Song of Ice and Fire books. Unlike its dragon-filled siblings, this show is a smaller, funnier road story about a poor knight and a bald little boy who turns out to be a Targaryen prince.
Because the first season finished in February 2026, most people searching for the show now want two things: a quick recap and the latest Season 2 news. So this guide starts with what HBO has actually confirmed about the next season, then covers the Season 1 story, the cast, the timeline, and where to stream it. For the bigger picture across every network, see our TV Survival Guide 2026.
When Is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 Coming Out?
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 will premiere in the first half of 2027, but HBO has not announced a specific date. In fact, HBO chief content officer Casey Bloys told Deadline after the September 2026 Emmys that the show is “coming out in the first half of ’27,” and Dark Horizons reported that this lands it before the Emmy eligibility cutoff of May 31, 2027.
Earlier, showrunner Ira Parker gave the same window. When The Hollywood Reporter asked whether Season 2 would arrive in the first half of 2027, he answered “Yeah, absolutely,” according to Screen Rant’s July 2026 report. That report also noted the show aims for a yearly release pattern, unlike House of the Dragon’s two-year gaps.
Has A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 finished filming?
Yes, the main shoot appears to be done. Filming began in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in December 2025, a few weeks before Season 1 premiered. After that, many outdoor scenes moved to Gran Canaria in Spain, which was chosen to stand in for the drought-hit Reach. However, heavy rain and flooding there forced the crew to pause and relocate some scenes, and Parker said the weather cost the production time.
Then, over the summer of 2026, stars Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell both posted wrap messages. Winter Is Coming reported their Spain wrap posts in early June, while ComicBookMovie reported a further wrap post from Ansell in early August. Either way, HBO says the season remains on track for 2027.
| Season 2 detail | Status as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Renewal | Confirmed November 2025, before Season 1 aired |
| Release window | First half of 2027 (no exact date) |
| Source novella | The Sworn Sword (2003) |
| Setting | The Reach, during a drought; roughly two years after Season 1 |
| Filming | Began December 2025 in Belfast; outdoor work in Gran Canaria; leads wrapped summer 2026 |
| Episode count | Not officially confirmed (Season 1 had six) |
| Trailer | None released yet |
What will Season 2 be about?
Season 2 adapts The Sworn Sword, Martin’s second Dunk and Egg novella. In the book, Dunk serves Ser Eustace Osgrey, an aging lord of a crumbling keep called Standfast. Meanwhile, a dam built by the people of Lady Rohanne Webber, known as the Red Widow, cuts off Standfast’s stream during a drought. As a result, a small water dispute turns into a feud that drags up old loyalties from the Blackfyre Rebellion, a failed civil war against the Targaryen kings.
Pro tip. HBO usually reveals premiere dates with a teaser a few months ahead. So if the first-half-2027 window holds, expect a date and trailer announcement in the coming months; we will update this page when HBO confirms it.
Will there be a Season 3?
Not officially, at least not yet. HBO’s November 2025 renewal covered Season 2 only. Still, Parker told TVLine he hopes a third season would adapt The Mystery Knight, the third published novella, which centers on a wedding tourney. In addition, Martin has said he plans more Dunk and Egg stories, but only after he finishes The Winds of Winter.
Who Is in the Season 2 Cast?
Peter Claffey returns as Ser Duncan the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell returns as Egg, while three notable newcomers join them. HBO announced the additions in March 2026, as TheWrap reported.
| Actor | Character | Who they are |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Claffey | Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall | The towering, low-born hedge knight |
| Dexter Sol Ansell | Egg (Prince Aegon Targaryen) | Dunk’s squire and a secret prince |
| Lucy Boynton | Lady Rohanne Webber | The Red Widow, lady of Coldmoat |
| Babou Ceesay | Ser Bennis of the Brown Shield | A rough fellow sworn sword at Standfast |
| Peter Mullan | Ser Eustace Osgrey | Proud, fading lord of Standfast in the Reach |
| Kathryn Hunter | Lady Vaith | Listed in the Season 2 cast on Wikipedia |
Notably, HBO has not confirmed whether Season 1 characters such as Ser Lyonel Baratheon will return. Instead, the new season shifts the action from a royal tourney to a small lordly feud, so expect a mostly fresh supporting cast.
What Happened in Season 1?
Season 1 adapted The Hedge Knight: Dunk enters the tourney at Ashford Meadow, clashes with a cruel Targaryen prince, and survives a deadly Trial of Seven. Here is the story in order, with spoilers.
- A new knight. First, Dunk buries his mentor, the hedge knight Ser Arlan of Pennytree, and heads to the Ashford tourney with Arlan’s gear.
- A strange squire. On the road, a bald boy called Egg attaches himself to Dunk, and Dunk eventually takes him on as squire.
- A royal sponsor. Then Crown Prince Baelor Targaryen vouches for Dunk, so he can enter as “Ser Duncan the Tall.”
- The fight that changes everything. After Dunk sees Prince Aerion break a puppeteer’s finger, he strikes the prince. Egg then reveals he is Aegon, Aerion’s younger brother.
- Trial of Seven. Because Aerion, backed by his father Prince Maekar, demands a trial by combat of seven knights per side, Dunk must find six champions. Baelor himself becomes the seventh.
- A costly win. Finally, Dunk forces Aerion to yield, but Baelor is struck down by a blow from Maekar’s mace. Afterward, Maekar lets Egg leave with Dunk to see the realm as his squire.
| Episode | Title | Air date | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Hedge Knight | January 18, 2026 | Owen Harris |
| 2 | Hard Salt Beef | January 25, 2026 | Owen Harris |
| 3 | The Squire | February 1, 2026 | Sarah Adina Smith |
| 4 | Seven | February 8, 2026 (on HBO Max February 6) | Sarah Adina Smith |
| 5 | In the Name of the Mother | February 15, 2026 | Owen Harris |
| 6 | The Morrow | February 22, 2026 | Sarah Adina Smith |
Episodes run roughly 30 to 42 minutes, so the whole season takes about an evening to watch. That short runtime is a big part of the show’s appeal.
Who Was in the Season 1 Cast?
Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell lead the cast, surrounded by a deep bench of British and Irish character actors playing knights and Targaryen royals.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Peter Claffey | Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall |
| Dexter Sol Ansell | Prince Aegon “Egg” Targaryen |
| Bertie Carvel | Prince Baelor Targaryen |
| Sam Spruell | Prince Maekar Targaryen |
| Finn Bennett | Prince Aerion Targaryen |
| Henry Ashton | Prince Daeron Targaryen |
| Oscar Morgan | Prince Valarr Targaryen |
| Daniel Ings | Ser Lyonel Baratheon |
| Danny Webb | Ser Arlan of Pennytree |
| Tanzyn Crawford | Tanselle |
| Edward Ashley | Ser Steffon Fossoway |
| Shaun Thomas | Raymun Fossoway |
Behind the camera, Ira Parker created the series with Martin and serves as showrunner. In addition, House of the Dragon co-creator Ryan Condal is an executive producer, and Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith split directing duties.
Where Does It Fit in the Game of Thrones Timeline?
The Dunk and Egg series takes place about 90 years before Game of Thrones, which makes it the closest prequel to the original show. By contrast, House of the Dragon is set nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones, so Dunk and Egg live roughly a century after the Dance of the Dragons.
| Watch order (by story) | Show | When it is set |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | House of the Dragon | Nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones |
| 2 | Dunk and Egg (this show) | About 90 years before Game of Thrones |
| 3 | Game of Thrones | The main saga (2011 to 2019 on HBO) |
Who is Egg in Game of Thrones?
Egg grows up to become King Aegon V Targaryen. Through his son Jaehaerys II and grandson Aerys II, the Mad King, he is the great-grandfather of Daenerys, Viserys and Rhaegar Targaryen. Likewise, through his daughter Rhaelle he is the great-grandfather of Robert, Stannis and Renly Baratheon.
Even more directly, Egg’s older brother is Aemon, the blind Maester Aemon who advises Jon Snow at Castle Black in Game of Thrones. Aemon later refused the crown, which helped clear Egg’s path to the throne. Eventually, Egg died in the Tragedy of Summerhall, a great fire at the Targaryen summer palace, alongside Ser Duncan the Tall.
Watch out. The Game of Thrones TV show cut a generation from the family tree and treated Aegon V as the Mad King’s father. In the books, however, he is the Mad King’s grandfather, and this show follows the books.
Are there dragons in the show?
No living dragons appear, because by this era the Targaryens have lost them. Instead, the drama comes from jousts, swordfights and class tension between highborn lords and a poor knight. That grounded tone is exactly why many viewers who found House of the Dragon heavy enjoyed this show more.
Is the Show Worth Watching? Ratings, Reviews and Emmys
Yes, both critics and audiences rated it highly, and it became one of HBO’s biggest 2026 launches. Specifically, the premiere drew 6.7 million US viewers in three days, and the finale climbed to 9.5 million, according to TheWrap’s ratings report. Across the season, episodes averaged more than 14 million US viewers and 26 million worldwide.
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Premiere audience (3 days, US) | 6.7 million |
| Finale audience (3 days, US) | 9.5 million, a series high |
| Season average per episode | 14 million+ US, 26 million worldwide |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Season 1) | 94% critics, 79% audience |
| Metacritic | 75 out of 100 |
| 2026 Emmys | 9 nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series; won Outstanding Stunt Performance |
At the 78th Emmy Awards, the show won its first Emmy for Outstanding Stunt Performance for “In the Name of the Mother,” the Trial of Seven episode, as the Television Academy’s winners list confirms. Meanwhile, it lost Outstanding Drama Series to HBO stablemate The Pitt.
Is it OK for kids?
It is lighter than Game of Thrones, but it is still an HBO drama with bloody combat and crude humor. So parents should preview it before showing it to younger kids, especially the violent Trial of Seven in Episode 5.
Which Books Is the Series Based On?
The series is based on three published Dunk and Egg novellas, collected in one illustrated volume titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in October 2015.
| Novella | Published | Setting | TV season |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hedge Knight | 1998 | The tourney at Ashford | Season 1 (2026) |
| The Sworn Sword | 2003 | A feud in the Reach | Season 2 (2027) |
| The Mystery Knight | 2010 | A wedding tourney | Hoped-for Season 3 (not confirmed) |
Should you read the books first? Not necessarily. Since the books are short, though, reading The Sworn Sword before Season 2 is an easy way to fill the wait. If you want the collected edition, you can find the collected Dunk and Egg book on Amazon, along with the graphic novel versions.
Where Can You Stream It?
In the US, all of Season 1 streams on HBO Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service, and the show airs on the HBO cable channel. In the UK, it aired on Sky Atlantic and streams on NOW, while Canadians watch on Crave, per Reelgood.
- US: HBO Max (streaming) and HBO (cable).
- UK: Sky Atlantic and NOW.
- Canada: Crave.
- Australia: HBO Max.
Also, if you are lining up more HBO viewing, our guide to The Pitt covers the drama that beat it at the Emmys.
Our verdict
This is the easiest way into Westeros: six short episodes, a warm central friendship, and no homework required. If you have not watched it, start now; the whole season fits into a weekend. If you have, the wait is shorter than usual, because HBO has committed to the first half of 2027 for Season 2. Until HBO names a date, treat any specific month you see online as speculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms getting a Season 2?
Yes. HBO renewed the show for Season 2 in November 2025, before Season 1 even premiered. HBO chief Casey Bloys and showrunner Ira Parker have both said it will arrive in the first half of 2027. However, as of October 2026 HBO has not announced an exact premiere date or released a trailer.
How many episodes are in Season 1?
Season 1 has six episodes, running roughly 30 to 42 minutes each. They aired weekly on HBO from January 18 to February 22, 2026, with Episode 4 streaming two days early because of the Super Bowl. HBO has not officially confirmed the episode count for Season 2.
How many years before Game of Thrones is Dunk and Egg set?
The story takes place about 90 years before Game of Thrones, which makes it the closest prequel to the original series. House of the Dragon, by comparison, is set nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones. So the order by story is House of the Dragon, then Dunk and Egg, then Game of Thrones.
Who is Egg in Game of Thrones?
Egg is Prince Aegon Targaryen, who later becomes King Aegon V. In the books he is the grandfather of the Mad King and the great-grandfather of Daenerys Targaryen and of the Baratheon brothers. His older brother is Maester Aemon, who appears at Castle Black in Game of Thrones.
Who is in the Season 2 cast?
Peter Claffey returns as Ser Duncan the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell returns as Egg. New for Season 2 are Lucy Boynton as Lady Rohanne Webber, the Red Widow, Babou Ceesay as Ser Bennis of the Brown Shield, and Peter Mullan as Ser Eustace Osgrey. HBO announced these three additions in March 2026.
Do I need to watch Game of Thrones first?
No. The show works as a standalone story with new characters, and it explains what you need along the way. Longtime fans will spot extra links, such as Egg’s connection to Maester Aemon and Daenerys, but newcomers can start here. Its short episodes also make it the easiest entry point into the franchise.
