2026 promises to be a huge year for the world of Game of Thrones. For the first time, HBO will release two shows set in Westeros. While Season 3 of House of the Dragon will arrive this summer, first up is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. This new prequel is different from the others; instead of large-scale battles and power struggles, it’s a more intimate, comedic story focusing on the adventures of Dunk and Egg (played by Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell). Though it shares the same core elements of the Game of Thrones universe – including conflict and political intrigue – it’s a smaller, character-driven series.
The story still features classic fantasy elements like knights, lords, and tournaments, and while the conflicts aren’t as large-scale as before, there’s still plenty of action and violence. Several members of the Targaryen family appear, including Baelor, the heir to the Iron Throne, Maekar, and the story’s antagonist, Aerion. However, unlike Daenerys or the Targaryens in House of the Dragon, this family doesn’t have dragons – their most significant advantage.
Why There Are No Dragons in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms & How They Died Out
Season 1 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the first in the series to feature dragons, but they are all deceased. Game of Thrones is set roughly 90 years later, when Daenerys Targaryen magically revived dragons after nearly 150 years, meaning the Targaryen family had lived for generations without them by the time the story of Dunk and Egg begins.
The Dance of the Dragons, the war depicted in House of the Dragon, causes immense destruction within House Targaryen, resulting in the deaths of many important characters and a massive decline in the dragon population. We’ve already witnessed dragons like Arrax and Meleys fall to Vhagar, and as the conflict escalates, even more dragons are expected to perish.
By the end of the Dance of the Dragons, only four dragons were left. While a few more eggs hatched, the resulting dragons were small, weak, and didn’t survive for long. Generations of being kept in the Dragonpit at King’s Landing had already limited their growth, and this problem worsened as their numbers dwindled. Finally, in 153 AC—56 years before the events in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms—the last dragon, described as small and with damaged wings, died.
Some theories suggest the Maesters of the Citadel were involved, stemming from a quote by Archmaester Marwyn to Samwell Tarly in A Feast for Crows.
Do you really think swords and brave warriors were enough to defeat all those dragons last time? The world the Citadel is creating doesn’t have any room for magic, predictions, or even simple things like glass candles – certainly not for dragons.
It’s unclear how the Maesters might have done it – perhaps with poison, or some other method – but it’s plausible they secretly worked to eliminate magic from the world. This would seem strange, considering their dedication to knowledge and order, especially since they already played a role in starting the Targaryen civil war.
No Dragons Is A Good Thing For A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Dragons are a defining symbol of the Game of Thrones universe. They’re instantly recognizable, heavily featured in the show’s marketing, and contribute to its grand, fantastical atmosphere and most memorable scenes. Surprisingly, it’s actually a positive thing that HBO’s new show within this world doesn’t include them at all.
To stay successful long-term, this series needs to show it can tell a variety of stories. Relying on the same formula will eventually get old and lose its impact. While dragons are exciting, strong storytelling is essential. As seen with Game of Thrones, compelling characters are what truly make a show great—they matter more than spectacle. Fortunately, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms features two of George R.R. Martin’s most well-developed characters, Dunk and Egg.
Even a modest success – it doesn’t need to be a massive hit like Game of Thrones, especially given its smaller budget (which is actually a benefit, since it avoids the need for expensive dragons!) – could open doors for the franchise to explore a wider range of stories. It could move to different time periods and even shift its focus away from the Targaryen family. Westeros has a lot of untapped potential, but unlocking it requires moving beyond the focus on dragons.
New episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms release Sundays at 10pm ET on HBO and HBO Max.
What are your thoughts on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? Share them in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!
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2026-01-20 22:12