A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ 8 Major Characters, Ranked

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The new series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, expands the world of HBO’s Game of Thrones with some compelling new characters, and a few are quickly becoming fan favorites. While the show doesn’t feature many characters we already know—at least, if it stays true to the source material—the main characters introduced in the first six episodes are so well-developed that it would be great to see them again. With showrunner Ira Parker planning a 15-season arc, there’s a good chance they might return.

We can definitely expect to see Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg return. They’ll be carrying the experiences and relationships from the first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms with them. The characters introduced in those first six episodes are a mixed bag – some are villainous, others are sympathetic and well-developed. The most compelling of them have the potential to become as popular and iconic as the best characters from Game of Thrones as the series continues. (Please be aware that the following contains spoilers for Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.)

8) Aerion Targaryen

Prince Aerion Targaryen is arguably the least appealing of the main characters in Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. While his brother, Daeron, hints at hidden complexity, the show doesn’t really demonstrate it. It’s clear his actions stem, at least partially, from the Targaryen family’s dwindling power, a point confirmed by actor Finn Bennett. This adds a little depth to his character, but it isn’t developed enough to make him particularly compelling. He functions as a serviceable villain, successfully provoking negative emotions – which is a credit to both the writing and Finn Bennett’s performance. However, he lacks the depth, entertainment value, and relatability of other characters in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

7) Maekar I Targaryen

At first, Prince Maekar Targaryen appears just as unpleasant as his brother Aerion, but the season one finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reveals him to be a much more compelling character. Maekar possesses a surprising depth that’s genuinely fascinating, even if he remains unlikeable. His remorse over what happened to Baelor and his worries about his children feel very human, setting him apart from many of the less nuanced characters in Game of Thrones and making him feel believable. It’s unfortunate we don’t see more of Maekar during the first season, but Sam Spruell delivers a fantastic performance in his scenes.

6) Raymun Fossoway

While Raymun Fossoway isn’t as complex as characters like Maekar or Aerion, he stands out as a genuinely good person in the first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and that deserves recognition. He begins as a squire, but quickly demonstrates more honor than Ser Steffon and proves to be a true friend to Dunk. Loyalty like his is rare in the Seven Kingdoms, and it’s satisfying to see him find happiness. Raymun’s story isn’t the most exciting or insightful, but sometimes the most straightforward characters are the most likable. He doesn’t quite stand out among the major players, but he’s definitely a solid character who deserves a place in the middle of the rankings.

5) Baelor Targaryen

Prince Baelor Targaryen stands out as a genuinely good person in the often ruthless world of Westeros, surprisingly becoming a supporter of Dunk. It’s unclear whether he acts out of a desire to uphold his family’s honor or a true sense of right and wrong, but this ambiguity actually makes him feel more believable. He likely cares about both things, and that ability to balance different values would make him a strong leader. His death in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is particularly sad because of this. Baelor is a likable character who sparks interesting discussions, but his consistent morality, while admirable, makes him less captivating than some of the show’s more flawed and complex heroes, preventing him from ranking higher.

4) Ser Arlan of Pennytree

The series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms really fleshes out the character of Ser Arlan of Pennytree, giving us more depth than we get in George R.R. Martin’s books, and that’s one of the best parts of the first season. While the season ends with Ser Arlan leaving Dunk and Egg, it’s uncertain if he’ll reappear later. Regardless, the show leaves a lasting impression of him. Ser Arlan is a wonderfully complex character – he’s flawed and a bit odd, but also has genuinely good qualities that Dunk admires. This mix of traits makes him both entertaining and fascinating. Though he doesn’t quite have the same charisma as some of the other characters, he’s definitely a standout.

3) Lyonel Baratheon

In the first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Lyonel Baratheon is a standout character. This is thanks to both his larger role compared to the original story, The Hedge Knight, and Daniel Ings’ excellent performance. Lyonel is consistently funny, providing welcome comic relief in this Game of Thrones prequel. Hints throughout the season suggest a more complex, potentially darker side to him, and while he isn’t expected to return for Season 2, I’d love to see the show explore that side of his character eventually. He perfectly balances being entertaining and intriguing, captivating the audience and leaving them wanting to know more. While he doesn’t receive as much focus as the main characters, it’s remarkable how memorable he is.

2) Aegon “Egg” Targaryen

The two main characters in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms are both strong contenders for the best performance, but currently, I’d rank Dunk slightly ahead of Egg. Dexter Sol Ansell does a fantastic job bringing Egg to life with both energy and vulnerability. He skillfully portrays Egg’s hidden insecurities and frustrations, especially in the season finale. With more episodes, Egg could easily become the top performer – the potential and the writing are both there. However, the storyline of the first season focuses more on Dunk’s development. It’s a very close competition, and it’s impressive to see a child actor deliver such a nuanced performance while still feeling authentic and youthful.

1) Ser Duncan the Tall

Ser Duncan the Tall is easily the best character in Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. He’s the kind of honest, well-meaning hero that the Game of Thrones universe really needs, and he has the classic knightly qualities that make you want to cheer him on. What’s interesting is that he hasn’t always lived up to those ideals, particularly in his journey to become a knight, which makes him feel more realistic and sets up potential for future development. Peter Claffey does a fantastic job portraying Dunk’s bravery, but also his clumsiness and innocence. He’s as endearing as his squire, Egg, but Dunk experiences more challenges and personal growth throughout the season, giving him a slight edge as a character.

Who’s your favorite character from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-26 03:43