Ira Parker and George R. R. Martin’s “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is nothing like “Game of Thrones.” For starters, the upcoming prequel sequence doesn’t open with an operatic soundtrack, reflecting the scaled-back nature of the central occasions. In any case, the present relies on Martin’s novella sequence “Tales of Dunk and Egg,” which follows Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg at a point in the “Game of Thrones” timeline the place each characters appear abnormal sufficient. No matter future glory awaits the central duo, Martin’s novellas delve into their on a regular basis toils, providing a extra character-driven arc versus the advanced, intricate saga that’s “Sport of Thrones.”
In line with the contained stakes of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” Parker made a promise to Martin (who additionally serves as an government producer) in regards to the focus and tone of the sequence — particularly, that its narrative would all the time heart on those that belong to the decrease rungs of Westerosi society. As Parker defined to Entertainment Weekly:
“No one’s fascinated with magic […] This might principally be 14th-century Britain. That is hard-nose, grind it out, gritty, medieval knights, chilly with a extremely gentle, hopeful contact. It is a great place to be. We’re floor up on this sequence; we’re beginning proper on the backside. We’re not with the lords and girls, the kings and queens.”
Magic is not accessible to the common individual in Westeros (neither is it one thing they might sustainably apply if it was), as their busy lives are wholly devoted to survival, which does not come straightforward to these with out wealth or standing on this universe. Certainly, the native armorer or barmaid is not going to be preoccupied with age-old prophecies or limitless ambition, making their grounded perspective priceless to our understanding of Westerosi society.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ contained stakes might reinvigorate the Sport of Thrones franchise
As you may’ve guessed, Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas discover diversified notions of knighthood, together with hedge knights like Duncan, who’re masterless swordsmen. Hedge knights shouldn’t have fastened allegiance, however this freedom makes area for brand spanking new codes of chivalry which might be upheld regardless of the absence of obligation. This additionally means a relentless have to safe the following meal and shelter. However whereas some hedge knights abandon valor for the sake of survival, others, like Duncan, try to stay to a transparent ethical code. Nonetheless, there are layers to this so-called valor. Removed from a saint, Duncan usually resorts to well-meaning deception to earn a little bit of coin or evade the occasional enemy.
The stripped-down nature of the opening for “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” displays Duncan’s persona, as he prefers to maintain issues easy. This is markedly different from the “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon,” the place even the blandest characters have far-reaching ambitions. That sequence can also be stuffed with sorcery and dragons (like “Sport of Thrones” earlier than it), with everybody centered on both preserving or destroying royal bloodlines. The world Duncan lives in could be very completely different, nevertheless, regardless of being a part of the identical Westeros. As Parker put it:
“To discover a completely completely different model of this world that everyone appears to know so properly was very, very interesting. The truth that we stay on this world, although, the place magic as soon as existed, could be very attention-grabbing to me. That is the bottom and the grass that has seen dragons and dragon hearth earlier than. So, the whole lot is rather like how the world is, however just a little stranger, just a little completely different.”
“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” premieres January 18, 2026, on HBO.
