A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 review: Game of Thrones spin-off is best visit to Westeros in nearly a decade

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Game of Thrones fans have long been used to mixed fortunes – even more so if you’re a book reader.

Game of Thrones, which premiered in 2011, quickly became one of the most popular shows of the 21st century. Based on George R.R. Martin’s groundbreaking fantasy novels, the series captivated audiences with its intense drama, violent battles, and complex political maneuvering, delivering six seasons of truly thrilling television.

Unfortunately, the show’s quality declined significantly once it had used up all the original source material. The last two shortened seasons felt rushed and often featured confusing storylines – just think of the episode “Beyond the Wall” – and lacked the necessary development to make the bigger plot twists feel impactful.

Fortunately, the prequel series House of the Dragon quickly emerged as a hit, bringing George R.R. Martin’s history of the Targaryen family, Fire and Blood, to life. The first season was compelling television – a dramatic and character-driven story with fantastic performances and writing – and while the speed of the plot wasn’t always consistent, it ultimately delivered a satisfying ending.

The second season, despite high expectations, turned out to be quite odd. It slowed down noticeably in the later episodes and ended on a disappointing note. Some of the changes made from the original source material weren’t well-received, even by the author, and weakened some of the most impactful scenes. As a result, excitement for the show’s future seasons has diminished.

With that background, HBO presents A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, a series adapted from George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas.

Taking place 90 years before the world of Game of Thrones, this six-episode season is adapted from the novella The Hedge Knight. It opens with Dunk (Peter Clauffey), a large squire, grieving the death of his former master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb). Determined to honor Ser Arlan, Dunk travels to a tournament seeking fame, and unexpectedly gains an apprentice of his own: a mysterious young boy nicknamed Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). This marks the beginning of a captivating story filled with action, family conflicts, and a search for genuine integrity.

The show immediately establishes its comedic direction in the first episode. While the iconic Game of Thrones theme plays during a poignant scene of Dunk burying his master and beginning his travels, the moment is quickly followed by a jarringly humorous scene of Dunk using the restroom in the woods.

The character of Dunk in ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ is genuinely funny, and actor Peter Claffey (known from ‘Bad Sisters’) perfectly embodies him as a kind, though not particularly bright, hero. Claffey brings a lot of charm, excellent comedic timing, and a physically imposing presence thanks to his background as a professional rugby player.

While the story starts with some silly jokes, the real humor comes from the great chemistry between the two main characters, Dunk and Egg. Their funny and surprisingly touching interactions are reminiscent of the beloved pairings from the earlier books.

Dexter Sol Ansell, the young actor playing Egg, is a remarkably talented performer. He brings intelligence, emotional depth, and quick wit to the role. The show gradually reveals Egg’s complex personality, making him one of the most well-developed and memorable characters in the world of Westeros.

This show truly revolves around its two lead actors, but the supporting cast delivers fantastic performances, especially the actors playing members of the Targaryen family. Bertie Carvel (known from The Crown) is convincingly regal and calm as Prince Baelor Targaryen, and Sam Spurell perfectly portrays Baelor’s rough and tough brother, Prince Maekar. Finn Bennett, from True Detective: Night Country, really stands out as the show’s incredibly unpleasant villain, Maekar’s cruel son, Prince Aerion.

Daniel Ings, known for his role in I Hate Suzie, gives a lively performance as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, and Shaun Thomas, formerly of Emmerdale, plays the steadfast and outspoken Raymun Fossoway.

The show’s biggest weakness is its underdeveloped female characters, a stark contrast to series like Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. However, it closely adapts the original books, and we can hope to see more well-rounded female characters in the next season.

The show stays remarkably true to the original story, faithfully adapting the characters and events from the book. Like the best seasons of Game of Thrones, it adds details that enrich the characters without straying from the source material. It’s evident that these HBO adaptations are strongest when they respect and build upon George R.R. Martin’s writing.

This show is a funny, action-packed medieval adventure that doesn’t take its fantasy elements too seriously. It features a knight who’s likable, persuasive, and surprisingly soothing, all set to a warm, folksy soundtrack by Dan Romer.

This is the most enjoyable trip to Westeros in almost ten years – definitely the best since Cersei destroyed the Great Sept of Baelor.

The new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, will debut on Sky Atlantic and NOW on January 19, 2026. It will also be available on HBO in the United States.

You can watch all eight seasons of Game of Thrones and the first two seasons of House of the Dragon on Sky and NOW. Learn how to subscribe to Sky TV to access them.

Authors

Lewis KnightNews and Trends Editor

Lewis is the News and Trends Editor at TopMob, responsible for our news coverage, quick-response content, and making sure we deliver what our audience wants. He’s a huge fan of TV and movies, especially anything with Nicole Kidman, but also loves science fiction, independent films, and the newest shows on HBO. With a background in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Film Studies, Lewis previously worked in advertising before spending three years at The Mirror, where he focused on community engagement, search engine optimization, and reporting on showbiz, film, and television.

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2026-01-14 01:35