In a surprising departure from the brutal machinations of its predecessors, the latest entry into the Game of Thrones universe, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, offers viewers a gentler, more heartwarming safe haven in Westeros. Based on George R.R. Martin's novellas, this new HBO series swaps severed heads for bumped ones, focusing on the budding friendship between a simple hedge knight and his shrewd young squire.
A Tale of an Unlikely Duo
The series introduces us to Dunk – Ser Duncan the Tall – played by former Irish rugby union player Peter Claffey. We meet Dunk as he buries his mentor, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), who never got around to knighting him. A straightforward soul, often compared to a "baffled labrador" in a warrior's body, Dunk sets out to find a lord to serve.
His journey quickly leads him to a tavern where he encounters Egg, portrayed with captivating presence by Dexter Sol Ansell. This bald, ethereal, and preternaturally intelligent child volunteers to be Dunk's squire, noting "You look like you need me the most." Together, the underdog knight and his underpuppy squire travel the back roads of Westeros, 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones, heading towards a tournament that could secure Dunk's future.
A Deliberate Change of Pace
In the landscape of the franchise, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a conscious shift. While House of the Dragon served to placate fans disappointed by GoT's finale, this series is something different. Episodes are concise, around 30 minutes, and the plot unfolds leisurely. The focus is squarely on the evolving dynamic between Dunk and Egg—a friendship where the roles of protector and guided are often charmingly reversed due to Egg's superior worldly knowledge.
The show is not without its mature content, featuring swearing, described tortures, and some male nudity. One episode later in the series contains significant gore. However, it is undeniably a much gentler proposition. The relentless political scheming and graphic violence of the original are replaced with tavern brawls, accidental lintel collisions, and a notable absence of sons being baked into pies. The nightmare figure of Ramsay Bolton is conspicuously absent, making for a more restful viewing experience.
Who Is This Westeros For?
The series' tone raises questions about its target audience. It is not for young children, despite the central child character. Die-hard fantasy fans craving magic and epic battles may find this era—where dragons exist only in living memory and sorcery is absent—too subdued. While it touches on themes like feudal corruption, it doesn't explore them with the depth that might attract a broad audience beyond dedicated George R.R. Martin enthusiasts.
Yet, perhaps its subdued nature is precisely the point. As the article posits, the real world has become too Westeros-like. This spin-off transforms the land of fabled violence into a safe space. In Dunk and Egg's straightforward journey, viewers find a refuge from complexity, a tale where hope is as fragile, and as resilient, as an eggshell.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms airs on Sky Atlantic and is available on Now in the UK. In the United States, it is on HBO, and Australian viewers can find it on Max.
