A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: A smaller, lighter Game of Thrones spinoff

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“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” proves that stories in the world of Westeros don’t always need to be epic in scale. Without dragons or power struggles for the throne, this “Game of Thrones” prequel is surprisingly charming and heartwarming. While it might not be essential viewing, it’s an enjoyable and lighthearted detour.

Game of Thrones demonstrated the potential of George R.R. Martin’s detailed universe, transforming political fantasy into a must-watch show. It reintroduced dragons to popular culture and became notorious for unexpectedly killing off major characters – as famously seen in the ‘Red Wedding.’ Importantly, Game of Thrones brought a previously specialized genre into the mainstream.

House of the Dragon delivered on the promise of grand fantasy. It’s a lavish but focused story set in Westeros, and after two seasons, the major conflicts are still building.

A spin-off series set in the world of Game of Thrones takes a different path. The creators deliberately move the focus away from the power struggles surrounding the Iron Throne, even showing it being disregarded. While not as gripping as the original series, it ultimately delivers a more relaxed and enjoyable addition to the franchise.

What is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms about?

The HBO series continues the story begun in House of the Dragon and expands the world of Game of Thrones by adapting George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg. The first season focuses on the events of The Hedge Knight.

The story follows Ser Duncan the Tall, known as Dunk (played by Peter Claffey), a large but kind-hearted knight who travels to a tournament in Ashford Meadow after his former master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), passes away.

The show immediately establishes its departure from Game of Thrones with a shocking opening. Instead of a grand introduction, we see Dunk using the bathroom in the woods – a deliberately crude contrast to the epic feel of the original series. This scene, occurring as the Game of Thrones theme begins, motivates Dunk to continue his journey to Ashford, wielding Arlan’s sword.

Throughout their journey, Dunk gains a loyal companion named Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), who believes in Dunk’s potential even when Dunk doesn’t. Their relationship is the emotional core of the series, and it’s guaranteed to evoke a strong reaction – you’ll likely find yourself laughing, crying, or feeling deeply moved.

A smaller Game of Thrones story with lower stakes

Unlike the epic, large-scale conflicts of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms focuses on a smaller, more personal story about underdogs. While the overall stakes aren’t particularly high, you’ll find yourself invested in the characters and hoping they succeed by the end of the series.

The story still connects to the larger history – it takes place during the time when the Targaryen family still ruled – but you don’t need to know everything about that history to enjoy it. It’s accessible for newcomers, but fans of George R.R. Martin’s work will also find plenty to appreciate.

The show has a much lighter feel compared to both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. While it still features intense violence—and it’s certainly graphic when it happens—there’s more humor throughout, and the story focuses on smaller, more personal moments.

Claffey’s portrayal of Dunk is charmingly innocent, but he shows strength when the story demands it. Sol Ansell delivers a clever performance as Egg without being arrogant. And the show truly excels with its villain: Finn Bennett’s Aerion Targaryen is so unlikeable, you’ll find yourself wanting to fight him right through the screen.

The show clearly feels like it belongs in the world of Westeros, with grand landscapes and detailed, immersive towns and villages. When action happens, it’s gritty and realistic – the armor feels weighty, fights are messy, and the violence is brutal.

A shaky start but a worthwhile payoff

The first few episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms present the show’s biggest hurdles, especially for viewers who haven’t read the original Dunk and Egg stories. Without that background, it can be hard to understand the plot’s direction or why you should care about the characters.

The show’s tone isn’t always consistent, particularly in the beginning. It occasionally relies too much on simple jokes and a overly-stylized aesthetic – honestly, some moments feel more like they belong in The Witcher than in a new Game of Thrones story.

The show takes a little while to get going, but once it does, you can see its vision, and it ultimately delivers. While not perfect, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms tells an enjoyable story about honor, faithfulness, and the real meaning of knighthood.

Is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms good?

Okay, so this game, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, isn’t trying to be the next Game of Thrones or anything. It’s not about huge twists and turns, it’s just a solid, smaller story set in that world, and honestly, it’s really heartwarming and optimistic – a nice change of pace!

This isn’t a groundbreaking TV show, and that’s okay. Thanks to strong acting, exciting fight scenes, and a satisfying conclusion, it’s a delightful story that honors the world of Westeros without being overshadowed by it.

The new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will debut on January 18th on HBO and HBO Max in the US, and on January 19th on Sky and NOW in the UK. If you’re a fan of the world of Westeros, you can also find information about the upcoming Aegon’s Conquest show, our picks for the best dragons from Game of Thrones, and a complete list of future TV releases planned through 2026.

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2026-01-14 01:20