HBO’s new show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the second spin-off from Game of Thrones, is already getting positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The first of its six episodes will air this weekend, and while it might not have the same political intrigue or dragons as the original series, critics are enjoying the chemistry between the two lead actors, Peter Claffey (as Ser Duncan the Tall) and Dexter Sol Ansell (as Prince Aegon Targaryen). The show currently has an 84% rating on the review site.
As a huge fan of the Game of Thrones world, I was really excited about this new series! It’s a prequel focusing on Ser Duncan the Tall – everyone calls him ‘Dunk’ – and his young squire, who secretly has royal blood. It fully adapts George R.R. Martin’s novella The Hedge Knight, and also includes the stories The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight – apparently, Martin always hoped those would be adapted for TV too. Early reactions are looking really good – IGN called it “the most purely enjoyable and heartfelt excursion to Westeros in some time,” so I’m definitely optimistic!
This series offers a genuinely delightful and touching journey back to Westeros, and it’s a great way for new viewers to get into the world, even if they haven’t followed the story closely before. With only six episodes, each around 30 minutes long, and directed by Owen Harris and Sarah Adina Smith, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feels focused and doesn’t get bogged down like House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones sometimes did, where storylines felt stretched out and slow to develop.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ is a “Total Delight From Start to Finish”
HBO
BBC reviewer Neil Armstrong thoroughly enjoyed the first installment of Dunk and Egg, calling it “a total delight” and the most “fun” take on the world of Westeros in a long time – perhaps ever.
As a lifelong movie fan, I have to say the casting of Claffey and Ansell felt like pure luck – like the film gods were on our side! Both are incredibly talented on their own, but together they have this amazing chemistry. You’d swear they’d been a comedy duo for years, like a modern Laurel and Hardy. It’s especially surprising because Claffey, who’s a big guy – used to play rugby, actually – is relatively new to acting, and this is his first major role! And it’s genuinely hilarious. While other shows might have funny moments, this is different – it’s light, charming, and just overflowing with personality. There’s slapstick, witty dialogue, and moments of wonderfully silly, almost Monty Python-esque absurdity.
Both Empire Magazine and Polygon praised the visuals of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, with Empire highlighting the beautifully filmed jousting scenes and its traditional, heroic values focused on protecting the innocent. Polygon applauded the show’s strong characters and immersive world-building, calling it a great entry point for new viewers and a welcome change of pace for longtime Game of Thrones fans.
GamesRadar+ noted that despite concerns about too much content, the new series delivers a powerful and emotional story in just six episodes, solidifying its place within the world of Game of Thrones. It successfully balances familiar elements with a unique identity, expertly building on what fans already love while also forging its own path.
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Reviews in The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the fantastic chemistry between stars Claffey and Ansell, calling them “a perfect comic duo” with a natural and appealing connection. Despite being relatively new to leading roles, they’ve made the show a success – the strong relationship between them is more compelling than the plot itself and has audiences, including Parker, excited for a second season, which has already been greenlit. It seems Dunk and Egg is proving to be a hit and could potentially surpass the popularity of Game of Thrones.
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2026-01-14 16:20