HBO Max has released the final official trailer for its upcoming original half-hour drama series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which transports us back to Westeros for smaller, dastardly adventures led by a towering wannabe knight and his secret bald retinue. It’s warmer, lighter, and more companion-driven than recent entries in the series, but it’s still very much a Westeros story. Watch the trailer above and read more.
A new Westeros story with a completely different tone
Set nearly a century before the events of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows Tall Ser Duncan – Dunk – and his squire Egg as they wander through a land where the Targaryen family still sits on the Iron Throne and the memory of dragons lives on in their hearts. HBO describes the film as an endearing story built around “a young, naive but brave knight, Sir Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg,” and describes the great destinies, powerful enemies, and dangerous feats that await this “unlikely and unique” duo.
The trailer leans towards a combination of serious chivalry and gritty reality. Peter Claffey’s Dunk is a man who has it all, height and heart, and who tries to hold on to his ideals in a place that continues to test them. As Claffey said at CCXP Brazil (quoted by The Hollywood Reporter), “I don’t know if he’s ‘cool’ or not, but he’s quite an anxious and nervous guy, but he’s a very lovable guy. He just wants to do the right thing.”Of course, as he also notes, “It’s a hard thing to do in Westeros. Trying to be a chivalrous knight.”
Dunks, eggs, and more family-friendly Westeros
Alongside Claffey, Dexter Sol Unsell plays Egg, a bald boy with more going on than his small frame would suggest. Their bond is the backbone of the trailer. Dunk clumsily moves forward with a clear sense of honor, while Egg quietly guides him through a social and political minefield. This is a partnership that seems built for character moments, not just jousting and melee combat.
Importantly, this Westeros is being promoted as more accessible. “Even a kid like me can watch ‘Knights of the Seven Kingdoms,'” Ansel told the crowd, pointing to the lighter, more straightforward tone than the brutal, sexually graphic worlds of ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘House of the Dragon.’ The new footage confirms that, with less palace intrigue and more road-movie energy, more clumsy heroics and more focus on the relationship between knights and squires. Political currents still exist, but they are not the whole story.
The series is based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, with the first season spanning six episodes from The Hedge Night. Martin is co-creator and executive producer with showrunner Ira Parker, and he received a direct message from the original author. As Claffey recalled, Martin told Parker: “Don’t mess it up.” Then there’s no pressure.
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Cast, team, second season, release date
In addition to Claffey and Ansel, the cast also includes Daniel Ings as Lord Lionel Baratheon, Barty Carvel as Baelor Targaryen, Danny Webb as Lord Arlan of Pennytree, Sam Spruell as Maker Targaryen, and Ray The cast includes Sean Thomas as Man Fossoway, Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, Edward Ashley as Stephon Fossoway, Australian actors Tanzin Crawford as Tunsel, and Henry Ashton. Daeron Targaryen, Youssef Kerkur as Steely Pate, Tom Vaughan-Lawler as Plummer, and Daniel Monks as Lord Manfred Dondarrion.
Behind the camera, Martin and Parker will be joined by executive producers Sarah Bradshaw, Owen Harris, Ryan Condal and Vince Gerardis, with episodes directed by Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith.
HBO has already shown strong faith in the project, with the six-episode first season renewed for a second season, which will continue Dunk and Egg’s journey through a pre-Thrones Westeros.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere on HBO Max on January 18 in the US and January 19 in Australia, with new episodes released every Monday.
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