A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Officially Divides Critics & Audiences

by

The latest Game of Thrones spin-off from HBO Max is getting a mixed reaction from both viewers and critics. While it premiered on January 18th, it’s currently receiving some of the lowest ratings of any show based on the work of George R.R. Martin.

Reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes have given the show a 94% rating, earning it a “Certified Fresh” designation. Currently, 64 critics have shared their opinions on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, though viewers generally rate it lower.

Following its premiere, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms received a 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 100 fan ratings. This is the lowest audience score for a first season of any show in the Game of Thrones universe. For comparison, the original Game of Thrones Season 1 earned a 96% audience score from over 5,000 viewers, and House of the Dragon‘s first season scored 82% with more than 10,000 reviews.

The show centers around two main characters: Ser Duncan the Tall, a brave but inexperienced knight played by Peter Claffey, and his small squire, Egg, played by Dexter Sol Ansell. Set during the time when the Targaryen family still ruled, and dragons weren’t just a legend, the story promises adventure, strong enemies, and exciting challenges for this unlikely pair of friends.

Reviews for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on Rotten Tomatoes were generally unfavorable. One viewer, Nathan G., found the show “quite boring” and unlike Game of Thrones, expressing disappointment. Stephen C. was even more critical, calling it “rubbish” and comparing it to a poorly executed comedy. He stopped watching after 20 minutes, citing irritating characters and bad acting, and felt it bore no resemblance to Game of Thrones.

‘It’s Just Like the Book’

Viewers generally reacted positively to the show. Aaron W. shared on Rotten Tomatoes that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is “Fantastic! It’s wonderful to return to Westeros, and it stays true to the source material.” Perry W. also gave it a five-star rating, praising its strong storytelling without excessive spending. He highlighted the excellent casting, writing, and a lack of reliance on overblown special effects, calling it a triumph.

Viewers are really getting into A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and the show has already been picked up for a third season, likely arriving on HBO Max around 2027. Fantasy fans also have more House of the Dragon coming, with Season 3 expected later in 2026 and Season 4 around 2028.

You can watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO Max. The series features Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, and a new episode will be available on January 25th.

Read More

2026-01-20 22:08