A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms welcomes fans back to Westeros, this time telling a simpler, intimate, and sweet tale of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg.
Returning to the world of Westeros is a feeling I can only describe as coming home, albeit to a home where the furniture is occasionally on fire, and the neighbors are constantly plotting each other’s demise. As a fan of both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, I was absolutely thrilled when A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was announced, and was waiting with bated breath to finally dive in.
Unlike many fans, I haven’t actually read the novellas by George R.R. Martin, so I entered this experience having no idea what I was in for. Well, for the most part. I was aware that this series takes place between the dragon-heavy tragedy of the Targaryen civil war and the eventual fall of the Iron Throne, but I went in expecting a significantly more laid-back story. I anticipated a gentle stroll through the Seven Kingdoms during a rare era of relative peace, and for the first few episodes, that is exactly the charming, grounded atmosphere I was given.
The heart of this series, and the reason I found myself instantly hooked, is the portrayal of Ser Duncan the Tall, affectionately known as Dunk. Peter Claffey brings an incredible warmth and sincerity to the role that I think will make viewers fall in love with him almost immediately.
We meet Dunk at a vulnerable crossroads; his master has just passed away, leaving him alone in a world that isn’t always kind to hedge knights with no high-born name. I found it so refreshing to follow a protagonist who is genuinely sweet, innocent, and inherently good. In a franchise known for its cynical anti-heroes, Dunk is a man who stands up for what is right simply because it is the right thing to do. He is the kind of knight anyone would be proud to serve, and Claffey plays that earnestness with a depth that makes Dunk feel like a beacon of light in the often-dark landscape of Westeros.
One aspect of the production that I found particularly nostalgic was the setting of the tournament. Because this story centers on a specific event rather than the fate of the entire continent, the scale feels much more intimate. There are no sprawling stone castles or iron-clad fortresses here; instead, the set is a vibrant, bustling meadow filled with colorful tents and stalls selling various goods.
I loved seeing the tournament logistics play out because it reminded me so much of attending Renaissance Faires with my family growing up. I found myself admiring the craftsmanship of the armor and the simplicity of the camp life, which allowed the story to focus on the individual characters rather than the grand political machinations of King’s Landing. While names like Baratheon and Targaryen are dropped – giving us those “Leo DiCaprio pointing at the TV” moments – the story remains wonderfully simple at the start.
However, as much as I adore Dunk, the show truly finds itself in his dynamic with the young stable boy, Egg, played with brilliant wit by Dexter Sol Ansell. Their initial meeting is classic; Dunk wants to be left alone, and Egg is a persistent, bold little spark who insists on being his squire. I loved watching their relationship evolve from a reluctant partnership into a genuine bond.
Egg is absolutely hilarious – he is bold, unafraid to speak his mind, and possesses a sharp tongue that often catches the much larger Dunk off guard. Despite Dunk’s occasional attempts to be a stern mentor, it is clear that he deeply cares for the boy. Egg’s fearlessness in being himself is a perfect foil to Dunk’s cautious, principled nature. This duo is the engine that drives the show, and I found myself more invested in their journey than I have been in many of the high-stakes royal dramas of the previous series.
As the season progressed, I appreciated how the writers used flashbacks and dialogue to flesh out Dunk’s history. Learning about his time with his former Master, played by the talented Danny Webb, added layers to his character that helped me understand why he is so fiercely protective of the innocent.
The supporting cast also deserves a massive shout-out. Daniel Ings and Finn Bennett are absolute standouts, bringing a level of gravitas and complexity to their roles that makes the world feel populated by real people with real stakes. It was through these interactions that I began to realize that while the story started small, the emotional weight was growing heavier by the second.
Then, the Game of Thrones effect finally kicked in. I really expected the entire season to remain a low-stakes, charming adventure, but by the end of episode three and moving into episode four, the tone shifts dramatically. The halfway mark of this six-episode season is where the jaw on the floor moments began for me.
As someone who had not read the book this series was based on, I was completely blindsided by the twists and turns. Suddenly, the stakes weren’t just about winning a joust; they became life-and-death, involving high-level drama that felt just as intense as the Red Wedding or the Battle of the Bastards, even without the massive armies. The final half of the season is an intense, action-packed, and absolutely wild ride that proved this series has plenty of teeth behind its sweet exterior.
Overall Thoughts On A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
I finished the season feeling completely breathless and desperate for more. The show concludes on a bit of a cliffhanger, and knowing that the second season has been greenlit and is on its way, I am counting down the days for its return. While a third season hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, I cannot imagine this story not being told to its completion; the world of Dunk and Egg is simply too rich and too compelling to leave unfinished.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms managed to do the impossible: it made Westeros feel small and personal again while maintaining the epic dramatic tension that made me fall in love with this universe in the first place. I may not have read the novellas, but I am now a full-fledged devotee of Ser Duncan the Tall and his bold little squire.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres on HBO Max on January 18th.
About A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.
Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ira Parker. Executive produced by Ryan Condal, Vince Gerardis, Sarah Bradshaw, and Owen Harris.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.