A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Game of Thrones' new prequel unveils subdued first poster, promises grounded Westeros in January 2026

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (January 2026) is a grounded Dunk and Egg prequel, set 100 years before Game of Thrones. It focuses on a hedge knight and a diminished, dragon-less Targaryen dynasty.

Still from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

With the release of the prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO in January 2026, the vast universe of Westeros is about to expand even further. According to the showrunners, the upcoming Game of Thrones installment, which is based on George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas, will offer a more grounded, character-driven storyline and an intriguing look into a diminished Targaryen dynasty, in contrast to its predecessors' epic scope and high political drama.

Setting the stage for Dunk and Egg's adventure

The new series, set around a hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones and decades after the Dance of the Dragons depicted in House of the Dragon follows an itinerant hedge knight named Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), portrayed by Peter Claffey, along with his small squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). After his master's death, Dunk seeks financial stability by participating in a contest, marking the beginning of their adventure. Unlike earlier series that focused on the highborn lords and ladies, this series now firmly positions the audience at the "bottom" of Westerosi society.

Issued alongside the launch month announcement, the first official poster for the series visually confirms this shift in emphasis. Unlike earlier franchise marketing that featured two protagonists, this one uses muted colours and subtle graphics. Dunk's height is emphasised because his body extends beyond the frame. Adorned with a sword hilt, the poster depicts a youthful Aegon V Targaryen (Egg) looking up at his lord. Included in the text is a prominent slogan: "This Winter, Spring is Coming," and another significant tagline: "A tall tale that became legend." This "tall tale" term is a clever pun that alludes to Dunk's height as well as the incredible, surreal, and unlikely character of his exploits and lasting impact.

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Gritty, hopeful, and non-magical Westeros

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Ira Parker explained the show's unique tone by saying that the world seen is one where the Targaryens' power is not based on magic or dragons. "Nobody's thinking about magic. This could basically be 14th-century Britain," Parker stated, emphasising the show will be a "hard-nosed, grind-it-out, gritty, mediaeval knight cold with a really light, hopeful touch."

Nevertheless, the Targaryens continue to play a pivotal role in the storyline as Prince Baelor, Prince Maekar, and Prince Aerion "Brightflame" (Finn Bennett) make their grand entrances at the tournament. Parker stresses that the characters the fans are used to seeing are not the prominent ones riding dragons. The royal family finds itself in a "precarious position" fifty years after the last dragon died because the foundation of the dynasty's authority has crumbled.

Attempt to maintain the illusion of dominance

"They find themselves finally without the thing that put them in power," said Parker. So, the Targaryens' attendance at the Ashford Meadow event—which is comparatively minor—is an attempt to keep up the impression of dominance. The dynasty is at its "low point," as it tries to win back the support of a people that is becoming more and more sceptical of its authority. Based on this assumption, fans can better understand the historical events leading up to the rule of Aerys II, "The Mad King", and Robert's Rebellion a century later, as well as the slow but steady decline of Targaryen dominance.

Reportedly, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms would also skip Ramin Djawadi's famous theme music in favour of a more minimalist opening title sequence. Parker explains that they chose a mediaeval typeface for the show's title card to mirror Dunk's direct and concise approach. This aesthetic choice, along with the poster's muted tones, heralds a new, more personal age for the franchise, one that places an emphasis on character development rather than grand visual spectacle.

FAQs:

Q: When does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere?

A: The prequel series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is slated to premiere on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium), in India, in January 2026.

Q: What is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms based on?

A: The series is based on George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas, which detail the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg.

Q: Who plays Dunk and Egg in the new series?

A: Peter Claffey plays the hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), and Dexter Sol Ansell plays his young squire, Egg (Aegon V Targaryen).

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