HBO’s Hit Game Of Thrones Prequel Gives The Upcoming Harry Potter Series Another Win

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for episode 5 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms! Bertie Carvel’s performance as Baelor Targaryen in the show is receiving a lot of praise, which is a positive sign for HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series. Since the original Game of Thrones ended in 2019, HBO has been actively working to expand that universe with prequels and spinoffs, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is one of them.

HBO currently relies on the Game of Thrones franchise for its fantasy content, but a new Harry Potter series is expected to arrive by 2027, adding another major fantasy show to their lineup.

I’ve been loving A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms! Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell as Dunk and Egg are fantastic, but honestly, Bertie Carvel as Baelor Targaryen completely stole the show for me. It’s such a shame his time on the Game of Thrones prequel was so brief – I was really invested in his performance!

Baelor Targaryen’s Arc In A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Didn’t Last Long

The Targaryen family from Game of Thrones is usually associated with words like “insanity” and “turmoil,” rather than “honor” or “kindness.” However, the stories in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms show that not every Targaryen is like that, particularly through characters like Egg and Baelor.

Baelor Targaryen is Maekar’s older brother, which makes him the uncle of Egg. As the son of King Daeron II Targaryen, he’s first in line for the Iron Throne during the events of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Unlike some other Targaryens we see in the prequel series, like Aerion and Maekar, Baelor prefers solving problems through discussion and justice rather than using force.

Baelor doesn’t just recommend Dunk for the tournament; he actively supports him by fighting alongside him during the trial by combat, even facing his own brother and nephew. Sadly, while upholding his knightly duty, Baelor is killed during the trial.

In the fifth episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a courageous act turns tragic with the death of Baelor. Though Maekar strikes a fatal blow to Baelor’s head with his mace, the severity of the injury isn’t realized until his helmet is removed, and he quickly dies. This marks the end of Baelor Targaryen’s story in the prequel series, but actor Bertie Carvel will continue to appear in other HBO fantasy shows.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’ Bertie Carvel Is Playing Cornelius Fudge In HBO’s Harry Potter Show

Even though Bertie Carvel only appeared in a few episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, he’s returning to HBO for another big fantasy series. He’ll be playing Cornelius Fudge in the upcoming Harry Potter show, which is scheduled to premiere in 2027.

In the Harry Potter series, Cornelius Fudge is the Minister for Magic, a role played by Robert Hardy in the films. He doesn’t show up until the second movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The recent casting of an actor to play Cornelius for the new HBO series might mean he’ll appear earlier than he did in the films, or that the show is simply casting characters for later seasons in advance.

As the story progresses, Cornelius Fudge will play a key role in the Harry Potter series. He’s responsible for removing Dumbledore as Headmaster of Hogwarts and allowing Dolores Umbridge to take his place. Ultimately, his refusal to believe Harry’s warnings about Voldemort’s return and his handling of Dumbledore prove to be mistakes that haunt him.

Bertie Carvel’s Role In HBO’s Harry Potter Show Helps Make Up For Baelor’s Death In The GOT Prequel

While HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series aims to stay true to the books, some differences are expected. Fans of Bertie Carvel, who played Baelor in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will be pleased to see him in a long-running, diplomatic role in the new series, which his casting suggests is planned.

Now that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is adapting George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk & Egg, Baelor’s death was pretty much guaranteed. He died during a trial by combat in The Hedge Knight, and while he’s a compelling character, keeping him alive in the show wouldn’t have fit the story. Fans will definitely miss Carvel’s performance as the series goes on.

While it doesn’t erase the disappointment of his character’s early exit in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Carvel’s role in the Harry Potter show is great news – he’ll be part of another big fantasy series with a more substantial part. Plus, he’s a talented actor who will undoubtedly add depth and excitement to the show.

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2026-02-21 23:00