HBO’s next journey into Westeros is taking a breather. During the network’s 2025 Upfronts the company confirmed that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the six-episode adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg, will now debut in winter 2026—most likely January or February.
The shift creates HBO’s first “Thrones-free” calendar year since 2021, a deliberate move to keep each series a marquee event rather than crowd the schedule alongside House of the Dragon season 3, which is still in early production.
Why HBO Hit Pause
Internally, executives want to avoid overlapping post-production pipelines that stretch the same VFX vendors, while also giving House of the Dragon enough runway for its own 2026 return. The extra months let editors fine-tune jousts and tourney sequences that rely heavily on practical stunts blended with digital crowds—work that wrapped principal photography in Belfast last September.
Where the Story Fits in the Timeline
Set roughly 100 years before “Game of Thrones” and 90 years after “House of the Dragon,” the story unfolds during the long, relatively peaceful reign of King Daeron II Targaryen. Season 1 dramatizes The Hedge Knight, in which Ser Duncan the Tall—an untested hedge-knight—enters a tourney at Ashford Meadow with his mysterious young squire Egg, unaware he is traveling with a hidden Targaryen prince. The period is dragon-free, making the show more grounded and chivalric than its predecessors, closer in spirit to classic swashbucklers than widescale war epics.
Cast and Characters
- Peter Claffey (recently of Vikings: Valhalla) headlines as Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall, a towering but kind-hearted knight.
- Dexter Sol Ansell (The Last Kingdom) plays Egg, the incognito prince destined to become Aegon V.
- Supporting Targaryens include Finn Bennett as the volatile Prince Aerion “Brightflame,” Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor “Breakspear,” and Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar.
- The roster also features Daniel Ings as the charismatic Ser Lyonel Baratheon and Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, a Dornish puppeteer whose painted shields become a key plot point.
The Creative Team
Long-time Thrones writer Ira Parker serves as showrunner alongside Martin, with Owen Harris (Black Mirror: “San Junipero”) directing the first three episodes and Sarah Adina Smith (Lessons in Chemistry) helming the back half. Franchise steward Ryan Condal returns as executive producer to ensure visual continuity between spinoffs, while Belfast’s Titanic Studios once again doubles as the heart of Westeros, supplemented by on-location shoots around County Down’s rolling fields.
Production Status
- Filming: June – September 2024, Northern Ireland.
- Post-production: Ongoing in London and Los Angeles; early cuts were screened for Martin this spring, who called them “the most faithful adaptation of my prose yet.”
- Practical effects: Full-scale tourney lists built on site; stunt team reused modified jousting rigs first developed for The Last Duel.
What to Expect on Screen
The series leans into a “road-movie” tone packed with jousts, small-folk taverns, and court intrigue on a human scale—no dragons, no White Walkers, just lords, knights, and the looming question of knighthood’s true meaning. Martin has hinted that the famous trial-by-seven duel from the novella remains intact, promising a climactic melee unlike anything seen in the franchise so far.
Season Roadmap and Beyond
Writers’ rooms are already outlining Season 2, set to adapt The Sworn Sword. If renewed, The Mystery Knight would logically follow, giving HBO a tidy trilogy that could expand if Martin completes additional Dunk & Egg stories. For 2026, however, the focus is squarely on delivering a single, self-contained adventure that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best of Westeros.
Westeros Release Calendar (As It Stands)
| Series | Status | Earliest Airdate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| House of the Dragon S2 | Post-production | June 2024 (aired) | S3 filming now for 2026 |
| A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms S1 | Post-production | Winter 2026 | Six episodes |
| House of the Dragon S3 | Early production | Late 2026 (tentative) | Could overlap marketing cycle |
With the gap year officially in place, fans have time to revisit the novellas—or finally tackle the Targaryen family tree—before Dunk and Egg ride onto screens in early 2026.
Key Takeaways
- HBO has officially delayed “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” to 2026, resulting in no Game of Thrones content for 2025.
- The six-episode limited series adapts George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas set 100 years before the original series.
- This spinoff continues HBO’s expansion of the Game of Thrones universe following the successful launch of “House of the Dragon.”
Overview of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Spinoff
HBO’s upcoming series “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” brings George R.R. Martin’s beloved Dunk and Egg novellas to life in a new Westeros adventure set for a 2026 release. This highly anticipated spinoff explores a different era of the Seven Kingdoms while maintaining the rich storytelling that made “Game of Thrones” a phenomenon.
Story Premise and Setting
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” takes place approximately 100 years before the events of “Game of Thrones” and about 75 years after “House of the Dragon.” The story follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his squire Egg, who is secretly Aegon Targaryen, a future king of Westeros.
The spinoff is set during a unique period in the history of the Seven Kingdoms, when Targaryen rule was firmly established but before the conflicts that would eventually lead to their downfall. This midquel time period offers viewers a fresh perspective on Westeros.
Filming for the series began in June 2024, with production well underway to meet its newly announced 2026 premiere date.
Adaptation and Source Material
The series is based on George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas, which include “The Hedge Knight,” “The Sworn Sword,” and “The Mystery Knight.” These beloved stories are shorter and more focused than Martin’s main “A Song of Ice and Fire” series.
Unlike the epic political machinations of “Game of Thrones,” the novellas feature more personal, character-driven adventures that follow Dunk and Egg as they travel throughout Westeros. The stories are generally considered more accessible and lighter in tone than the main series.
HBO has committed to faithfully adapting these novellas while expanding the world in ways that complement Martin’s original vision. The author himself is involved in the production to ensure the adaptation maintains the spirit of his work.
Relation to ‘Game of Thrones’ Universe
As the third series in the Thrones franchise, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” expands the television universe of Westeros in significant ways. While “House of the Dragon” explores the height of Targaryen power, this new spinoff examines a period when the Iron Throne was secure but challenges existed throughout the realm.
The series features ancestral characters related to families viewers met in “Game of Thrones,” providing insights into the rich history of houses like Targaryen, Lannister, and Stark. However, it stands as its own story that can be enjoyed without extensive knowledge of the other shows.
According to Variety, HBO has positioned the 2026 release to give “Game of Thrones” fans regular content between seasons of “House of the Dragon,” creating a steady stream of Westeros-based entertainment for years to come.
Key Characters and Cast
HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones prequel has assembled an impressive cast to bring the beloved characters from George R.R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg tales to life. The show will center on two main characters while featuring several important supporting roles from the Targaryen dynasty.
Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk)
Peter Claffey has been cast as Ser Duncan the Tall, the towering hedge knight whose adventures form the backbone of the series. Standing at nearly seven feet tall, Dunk begins as a humble warrior with a strong moral compass but limited formal training.
Unlike many knights in Westeros, Dunk comes from humble origins in Flea Bottom rather than noble birth. His character combines physical prowess with a straightforward sense of honor that often puts him at odds with court politics.
The series will explore Dunk’s growth from an uncertain hedge knight to a legendary figure in Westerosi history. Claffey, relatively new to major productions, faces the challenge of portraying this physically imposing yet emotionally complex character.
Egg (Aegon V Targaryen)
Dexter Sol Ansell portrays young Aegon Targaryen, nicknamed “Egg,” the fourth son of Prince Maekar Targaryen. Despite being far from succession, Egg disguises himself as Dunk’s squire to experience life beyond palace walls.
The character offers viewers a unique perspective on the Targaryen dynasty from within. Egg’s intelligence, compassion, and desire to understand common people set him apart from many of his ancestors and siblings.
Ansell, known for his work in “The Witcher: Blood Origin,” must capture Egg’s complex journey as both a disguised commoner and future King Aegon V Targaryen. The character’s development will show early signs of the progressive ruler he eventually becomes, known later as “Aegon the Unlikely.”
Other Notable Characters
Several key Targaryens round out the cast, including Prince Aerion Targaryen, Egg’s cruel older brother nicknamed “Brightflame” for his obsession with wildfire. Prince Baelor Targaryen, known as “Breakspear,” serves as Hand of the King and represents the more honorable side of the family.
Prince Maekar Targaryen, Egg’s stern father, plays a pivotal role in the political landscape. The casting for these roles has generated excitement among fans of Martin’s work.
Ser Lyonel Baratheon, the “Laughing Storm,” brings the fierce Baratheon temperament to the series. Additionally, Tanselle, a Dornish puppeteer, will feature prominently as she becomes entangled with the main characters’ journey.
The production has added seven new cast members in recent months, expanding the rich tapestry of characters from Martin’s world.
Production, Release Date, and Creative Team
HBO’s latest Game of Thrones spinoff has faced some significant scheduling changes. The highly anticipated series based on George R.R. Martin’s beloved Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas has been pushed back from its original timeline to a 2026 release.
Premiere, Release Schedule, and Trailers
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” has officially been delayed until 2026, moving from its previously expected 2025 window. This information comes directly from George R.R. Martin himself, who provided the update through his official channels.
HBO has not yet released a specific premiere date beyond the 2026 timeframe. The network typically announces exact dates approximately 2-3 months before series premieres.
No official trailer has been released for the series yet. With production still ongoing and the release now pushed to 2026, fans shouldn’t expect a full trailer until late 2025 at the earliest. HBO may release a brief teaser or first-look images earlier to build anticipation.
The first season will likely follow HBO’s standard release pattern of weekly episodes rather than a binge model.
Directors, Writers, and Executive Producers
The creative team behind “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” brings together Game of Thrones veterans and fresh talent. George R.R. Martin serves as creator and executive producer, directly overseeing the adaptation of his novellas.
Sarah Adina Smith and Owen Harris have been tapped as directors for multiple episodes in the first season. Their visual style will help establish the show’s identity distinct from both “House of the Dragon” and the original “Game of Thrones.”
Ryan Condal, who successfully launched “House of the Dragon,” has taken an executive producer role. Vince Gerardis, a longtime producer on Game of Thrones projects, continues his involvement as executive producer.
The writing team includes several talents with experience in both fantasy and period dramas, though HBO has kept specific writer assignments relatively quiet.
Filming Locations and Production Timeline
Production began in early 2024 with preliminary filming at various locations throughout Europe. The production team has utilized some of the same studios in Belfast, Northern Ireland that housed previous Game of Thrones productions.
Additional filming has taken place in Spain and Croatia, capturing the diverse landscapes needed to represent the Seven Kingdoms during this earlier era. Unlike the original series, this production requires fewer massive battle sequences but more intimate settings.
The production timeline was extended when executives decided to allow more time for post-production effects and editing, contributing to the 2026 release date. Principal photography is expected to wrap by late 2024 or early 2025.
Sets have been constructed to reflect the less ornate but historically accurate period setting, approximately 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
Distribution and Platforms
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” will premiere exclusively on HBO and its streaming platform Max (formerly HBO Max). This continues Warner Bros. Discovery’s strategy of leveraging their most valuable IP for their flagship platforms.
International distribution will follow the same pattern as other HBO originals, with simultaneous or near-simultaneous release in most territories where Max is available.
Warner Bros. Discovery has highlighted this series as a key component of their content strategy for 2026, expecting it to drive new subscriptions to Max. They’re positioning it between seasons of “House of the Dragon” to ensure year-round Game of Thrones content.
The series will be available in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos sound on compatible devices, reflecting HBO’s commitment to premium presentation for their tentpole franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fans have many questions about the upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series. The show has faced delays and undergone several production updates since its announcement.
What is the expected release date for ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’?
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ has been delayed until 2026. HBO originally planned an earlier release, but Warner Bros. Discovery revealed the postponement during their Upfront presentations in New York City.
This means 2025 will be a year without any new Game of Thrones content on HBO, creating a longer wait for fans of the franchise.
Which book is the ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ series based on?
The series is based on George R.R. Martin‘s novellas, also known as the “Dunk and Egg” stories. These tales take place about 90 years before the events of the main Game of Thrones series.
The show is also being referred to as “The Hedge Knight” in some promotional materials, which is the title of the first novella in the collection.
Who are the confirmed cast members for ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’?
Peter Claffey has been cast in the series. He will be playing one of the main characters in this Game of Thrones prequel.
Full casting details are still emerging as the production continues to develop ahead of its 2026 release date.
How many episodes will there be in the ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ series?
HBO has not officially confirmed the exact episode count for the first season of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.’ The network typically produces between 6-10 episodes for its prestige drama series.
More details about the episode count are expected to be announced as the production moves forward.
On which platforms will ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ be available for viewing?
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ will be available on HBO and its streaming platform HBO Max (now known as Max). This follows the distribution pattern of other Game of Thrones content.
International distribution deals may vary by region, but the series will primarily be an HBO property.
What are the latest updates on the production status of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’?
The production was first announced in April 2023 when HBO greenlit the spinoff show. Since then, the project has been in active development.
The recent delay announcement suggests that production timelines have been extended. Filming is likely underway or scheduled to begin soon to meet the new 2026 release window.
