Dunk and Egg Take the Spotlight in Game of Thrones Spin-Off
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms shifts the Game of Thrones narrative, following Dunk and his squire Egg. The series debuts on 18 January on HBO and HBO Max, and 19 January on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
Stepping away from the familiar corridors of power and intrigue, the latest addition to the Game of Thrones universe, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, offers a rather different perspective. Gone are the scheming aristocrats and ruthless dynasties; instead, viewers are introduced to Dunk, a hedge knight whose modesty and gentle manner set him apart from the chaos that so often defines Westeros.
Peter Claffey, who brings Dunk to life, found the character’s temperament a welcome change.
“It made it easier,” Claffey says during a roundtable interview attended by GamesRadar+. “It's something to react off when you have somebody that's gentle with animals and has a gentle nature about them and a very unassuming, sort of nervous energy, when you see so many crazy, awful things occurring. I think the violence aspect was something to react off.”
Claffey also notes that the contrast between Dunk’s mildness and the world’s brutality opens the door for unexpected humour.
“It draws a lot of comedy out as well, when you have these awkward situations where you're seeing crazy things happening, and you have a very tame, mild-mannered character portrayed, it allows a lot of opportunities to see the humorous side of things and situations,” he adds. “So I thought it was more of a help, really, than a hindrance.”
Setting the Scene: A New Era in Westeros
Set nearly a century before the events that first captivated audiences, the story follows Dunk after the death of his mentor. With little to his name and no clear direction, he sets his sights on a tournament, hoping to carve out a future for himself. Along the way, he encounters Egg, a stable boy with secrets of his own, who soon becomes his squire.
The dynamic between the two leads is central to the show’s appeal. Dunk’s straightforward decency and Egg’s enigmatic presence create a partnership that feels both fresh and oddly familiar, especially for those who have grown accustomed to the more cutthroat alliances of previous series entries.
Premiere Dates and What to Expect
The series is set to premiere on 18 January on HBO and HBO Max, with UK audiences able to catch it from 19 January on Sky Atlantic and NOW. The anticipation is palpable, as fans look forward to a tale that promises a blend of adventure, wit, and a touch of the unexpected.
For those keen to keep up with the unfolding story, the release schedule offers plenty of opportunities to follow Dunk and Egg’s journey. Early impressions suggest that this new chapter will provide a refreshing take on the world of Westeros, focusing less on grand designs and more on the personal trials and small victories of its unlikely heroes.