Even though the final season of Game of Thrones will forever haunt me, I have slowly started to dive into the spin-off shows on HBO. I watched the first two seasons of House of the Dragon and was quite underwhelmed after the second season. Before starting season three, I wanted to see if I would truly never again enjoy a screen adaptation of anything related to Game of Thrones. So I decided to finally sit down and watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026).

Did this short TV series manage to melt my heart and make me fall in love with this world crafted by George R.R. Martin again? I still can’t fully believe it, but it sure did!

WARNING: This post contains spoilers !

Plot

Long before the events of Game of Thrones, there was a hedge knight named Ser Duncan the Tall. After Dunk buries his mentor Ser Arlan of Pennytree, he travels to a tourney at Ashford Meadow. On his way he meets a young boy named Egg who becomes his squire. Will Dunk actually be able to do well in the tournament or does a much greater adventure await him?

Thoughts

I had already noticed people were quite positive about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms when it originally aired earlier this year on HBO Max. I went into the show with an open mind and just let it surprise me. Over the years I’ve developed a preference for morally grey characters, but I found myself totally enamoured with Ser Duncan the Tall or ‘Dunk’. He represents the absolute best of what a knight should be in a world completely cynical about chivalry. He doesn’t fight for glory or gold. He fights because someone has to stand up for the people who can’t defend themselves.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | Campfire

I love that Dunk actually managed to hold on to his values and did not get jaded. Even though Dunk has had a tough life growing up as an orphan in Fleabottom, somehow he still manages to maintain a certain innocence. But he also refers to himself as being thick as a castle wall.. so, there’s that. Egg might be a young boy, but he is very mature and wise for his age. We of course learn that Egg isn’t just a simple boy and there is a reason why he has much more insight than Dunk. They’re such a great duo and their dynamic is wonderful to watch.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | Ser Lyonel Baratheon and Ser Duncan the Tall

The show has multiple great characters, my favorite by far is Ser Lyonel Baratheon. He’s wonderfully played by Daniel Ings. Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t sneak into his tent to enjoy the feast, the dance, and the Laughing Storm himself? The dance scene wasn’t in the novella, but I very much appreciate the showrunners added it to the TV show. It was strangely hot, haha! David Lightbringer actually did a great archetypal analysis of Ser Lyonel Baratheon. Be sure to catch it here and check out his other video’s too 💡

A Knight in the Seven Kingdoms | Dunc & Egg

I’m amazed how different this show feels compared House of the Dragon. From what I understand the adaptation stays closer to the novellas which is a good thing. The cinematography is more grounded and natural. The characters are much more human. The soundtrack is also a joy to listen to. I was a little hesitant about the duration of each episode, but I quickly learned the showrunners crafted a perfectly balanced show. It cuts out all of the fluff and delivers a beautiful story with incredible heart.

Verdict

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (2026) truly pulled me back into the world of Game of Thrones. With only 30 minutes per episode, it still manages to deliver a rich experience. It’s the perfect balm for fans of Game of Thrones that are still hurting after that final season. I believe it is also a great introduction to the world of Game of Thrones for those who might find the original series or even House of the Dragon a bit daunting. The full first season is available to stream on HBO Max!