The new show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, returns to the world of Game of Thrones, but offers a different experience than both the original series and House of the Dragon. Taking place between the events of those two shows, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms provides a look at George R.R. Martin’s world focused on smaller stories, without the dragons or large-scale political conflicts. The first episode, which premiered on January 18th, introduces Ser Duncan the Tall, played by Peter Claffey—a character concerned with more personal matters than the fight for the Iron Throne. Be warned: spoilers follow for the first episode.
“The Hedge Knight” begins with Dunk mourning the loss of his mentor and then traveling to a tournament at Ashford Meadow. He’s hoping to become a well-known knight, but he doesn’t have the money, contacts, or fame to easily do so. This starting point already makes A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms different from the Game of Thrones series we’ve seen before, and those differences continue throughout. Right from the beginning, it’s clear this new show is taking a fresh approach, which is exactly what the franchise needs.
7) A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Isn’t as Focused on Noble Houses or Multiple Characters
Unlike the large, multi-character stories of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms centers on a single character, Ser Duncan the Tall (along with his squire, Egg). This focus on one perspective is a significant change for viewers of Game of Thrones, but it also makes the story much simpler to follow.
The viewpoint in this series is quite different from what we see in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. While those shows focus on characters from the major noble families, this one centers around a wandering knight, Dunk. He doesn’t live in castles, enjoy luxuries, or participate in political games. He’s a commoner who started with nothing and is working to build a life for himself, making him a character many viewers can easily connect with.
6) A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Has A Smaller Budget
Compared to Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, the new series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was made with a lower budget. HBO executive Francesca Orsi confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that each episode cost less than $10 million to produce. While still a significant amount, this is considerably less than what was spent on the original series and House of the Dragon. The show doesn’t require such a large budget, as it doesn’t have the same scope or special effects demands.
The new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, doesn’t need expensive special effects to look good. Unlike Game of Thrones, it won’t have massive battles and will primarily focus on locations outside the main castles. This makes it a more affordable show to produce, and the first episode demonstrates that it can still be visually compelling without a huge budget. Strong choreography, costumes, and acting remain important, but the show’s setting and story naturally lend themselves to a smaller scale.
5) A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Has More Comedy Than GOT & HOTD
The first episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is noticeably funnier than Game of Thrones, and that’s a good thing. The show is clearly aware it’s different, playfully subverting expectations and even poking fun at its predecessor right away. Whether it’s a humorous moment involving Dunk or his witty conversations with Egg and Lyonel Baratheon, the series is consistently funny.
While still tackling serious issues like its predecessor, Game of Thrones, this series wins us over with its humor and genuinely feels like the fresh direction the Game of Thrones universe needs. House of the Dragon sometimes felt too much like the original, but this new approach helps it stand on its own.
4) The Game of Thrones Spinoff Doesn’t Move Around Westeros As Much
The new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will be much more contained than Game of Thrones. Instead of traveling across Westeros, the story primarily takes place at a single tourney at Ashford Meadow. Unlike the sprawling narrative of the original series, this spinoff has a smaller cast and a more focused plot, making a limited location a good fit. It won’t be jumping around the continent like Game of Thrones often did, and that’s intentional – the story is smaller in scope and doesn’t require a wide-ranging narrative.
3) A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Doesn’t Have Any Dragons
If you loved the dragons in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, be aware that this new series doesn’t feature them. It takes place almost 80 years after the events of House of the Dragon, specifically after the Targaryen civil war (known as the Dance of the Dragons) which led to the extinction of most dragons. While a few might have survived the war, they eventually died out. By the time Game of Thrones begins, and also when A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms starts, dragons are completely gone.
Although dragons aren’t central to the story, the Targaryen family still exists and rules Westeros in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. As Dunk’s adventures unfold, we’ll meet several Targaryens, but they won’t possess the same power or influence as characters like Rhaenyra and Daenerys. The closest the series gets to a real dragon is a puppet featured in the first episode, but the story is captivating even without these creatures.
2) A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Is Much Shorter Than Previous Game of Thrones Shows
Compared to previous series like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, which were based on lengthy books and extensive histories, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is adapting a shorter story. The first season covers George R.R. Martin’s novella, The Hedge Knight, which is just over 100 pages long. Because of this, the new series will have fewer episodes—only six—and each episode will be shorter, lasting around 30 to 40 minutes. While later seasons of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon had episodes that were getting shorter, they usually still ran for at least seven or eight chapters. Game of Thrones Season 8 was the exception, with episodes lasting an hour or more.
1) A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Is on During a Different Time Slot Than Its Predecessors
It’s probably a good thing that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has a shorter run than other Game of Thrones shows, because it’s debuting a bit later in the evening. While Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon usually aired on Sundays at 6pm PT/9pm ET, this new series will premiere at 7pm PT/10pm ET. It’s a slight change to the usual schedule, but based on the first episode, it seems like it will be worth staying up for.
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2026-01-19 23:11