Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 1.
In the years since Game of Thronesended, the show has remained popular, which is why there has been so much talk of spinoffs. Yet, the much-anticipated new prequel, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, doesn’t have a lot in common with the original series. Set 90 years before Game of Thrones (and 80 years after House of the Dragon), the latest look at Westeros is a little different. With no dragons or battle for the Iron Throne, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms offers a unique perspective of the world by following a hedge knight named Ser Dunk the Tall (Peter Claffey). With its premiere, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms doesn’t promise the epic scope of the shows that came before, but it does set up an unconventional hero and his unlikely squire for an intriguing journey through Westeros that fans have never seen before.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 1 Introduces Us to Dunk
The series picks up with Dunk in the process of burying the man he previously squired for, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), who raised him and taught him everything he knows. Dunk’s rain-soaked eulogy for Arlan shows him to be a caring man with a strong sense of justice, though he lacks the elegant speech of a highborn lord. By showing off these aspects of Dunk, the series makes him a lovable main character from the beginning. Though Dunk mourns Arlan, he recognizes that he has gained a lot with three horses and a sword to his name, yet his options for what to do next are limited. As he debates his next steps out loud, with only the horses to use as a sounding board, he considers traveling to Lannisport or joining the City Watch in King’s Landing, but ultimately, Dunk chooses to travel to the upcoming tourney at Ashford Meadow, hoping to win glory as a knight.
On the way, Dunk stops at an inn, leaving his horses with an impertinent boy in the stables (Dexter Sol Ansell). As he eats his meal, Dunk notices a drunk patron who claims to have seen him in a dream and warns the hedge knight to stay away from him. On the innkeeper’s advice, he ignores the man. When he returns to the stable for his horses, Dunk finds Egg wearing his helmet and sitting on his horse. Despite Dunk’s lecturing, Egg continues to behave brazenly, pointing out that Dunk doesn’t look much like a knight at all. Despite the disagreement between them, Egg asks to accompany Dunk as his squire, but the hedge knight refuses him, leaving the boy behind as he heads to Ashford. Although their meeting is brief, it shows the contrast between them; Egg is confident and bold, whereas Dunk is nervous and hesitant, ultimately making them an amusing duo.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 1 Explores the Life of a Hedge Knight
When Dunk reaches Ashford Meadow, the master of the games, Plummer (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor), has not heard of Dunk or Ser Arlan, which initially prevents him from joining the tourney. Although Dunk claims to have been recently knighted by Arlan before his death, Plummer needs proof and asks for a knight who will vouch for Dunk. Fortunately, the hedge knight recognized the banner of the Dondarrions, with whom he and Set Arlan fought in Dorne, as he came in. While getting into the lists is a challenge, that isn’t the only issue Dunk faces, as he will need the money to ransom back his horse and armor should he lose. Dunk optimistically plans to use the ransom from his first win, meaning he very literally cannot afford to lose his first round. Yet, that is a problem for later as Dunk seeks out Manfred Dondarrion (Daniel Monks), the son of the man Arlan served, but is unable to see him and is told to return later.
As Dunk ventures through the growing settlement, he sees knights training, growing intimidated by their skill. Steffon Fossoway (Edward Ashley) tries to get Dunk to fight him, claiming his cousin and squire, Raymun (Shaun Thomas), isn’t enough of a challenge. Though he is placed in a somewhat awkward position by the two arguing cousins, Dunk turns down the invitation, to Ser Steffon’s annoyance. Instead, he sets up camp in the nearby woods before returning to Ser Manfred, only to be turned away again. He explains his predicament to some women lounging outside Ser Manfred’s tent, and though he is offended by their initial teasing, they apologize and explain that they have seen many like him before who did not fare well. Although Dunk still has not met Ser Manfred, he parts on good terms with these women.
That night, Dunk explores the camp, stopping to watch a performance with an impressive dragon puppet that breathes fire, but Dunk is more interested in the performer (Tanzyn Crawford). Then, he runs into Raymun again, who apologizes for the scene with his cousin. Raymun is friendly with Dunk, inviting him to eat at Lyonel Baratheon’s (Daniel Ings) celebration. Lyonel, who has earned the nickname the Laughing Storm, has a tent full of revelers, but he notices Dunk in particular, commenting on his height and asking if Dunk has brought him anything to curry his favor. Dunk’s lack of a gift is initially perceived as a threat until Dunk admits he’s just there for the food. This amuses Lyonel, who seems to take a liking to Dunk. As the party dies down, Lyonel drunkenly tells Dunk stories while Dunk stresses about his prospects of entering the joust.
Dunk finally has a stroke of luck when he spots Ser Manfred at the party, but the lord doesn’t remember Ser Arlan or Dunk, which horrifies Dunk, especially as Ser Arlan was wounded in the Dondarrions’ service. Ser Manfred’s ambivalence is the perfect example of the plight of the hedge knight, as Dunk struggles to get recognition. This is a situation that Game of Thrones never highlighted, which already sets the new series apart.
‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Episode 1 Brings Dunk and Egg Together
When Dunk returns to his camp, he finds the little stable boy waiting for him and learns that he rode in the back of a lamb cart to follow Dunk. As the boy finally introduces himself as Egg, their exchange finally gives Dunk the chance to dub himself Ser Duncan the Tall. Though the pair get along, Egg still has some arrogant tendencies, remarking on Dunk’s lack of a pavilion. In the end, Dunk agrees to take Egg in as his squire for the duration of the tourney, and if it goes well, maybe longer. Though he admits to being a humble knight, he promises to care for Egg and share what he has, and the two fall asleep under the stars. Egg spots a shooting star and remarks that it will bring luck to those who see it, which doesn’t include those sleeping in a pavilion. This interaction quickly establishes the dynamic between the two leads, bringing them together despite their differences. Ultimately, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘ premiere sets up a very different story in Westeros, but it makes it impossible not to like the newest hero.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Sundays.
- Release Date
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January 18, 2026
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Ira Parker
- Directors
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Owen Harris
- Writers
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George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker
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Peter Claffey
Ser Duncan ‘Dunk’ the Tall
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- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ premiere excels in its character introductions through Dunk and the various people he encounters.
- The first episode establishes a sweet dynamic between Dunk and Egg, even as their personalities clash.
- The premiere establishes a new perspective of Westeros in moving away from royals to focus on a lowly hedge knight.
- A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ lighthearted tone is an abrupt change from the rest of the franchise, which could be jarring for long-time fans.
