HBO surprised viewers with a first look at its newest Westeros-set series “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight” during the Season 2 finale of “House of the Dragon” last month. The teaser offered fans their first glimpse of the show’s leads Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell in action as Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg.
Based on George R.R. Martin’s beloved “Dunk and Egg” novellas, the series will follow the adventures of hedge knight Dunk and his secret royal squire 89 years prior to the events of “Game of Thrones.” British actors Claffey and Ansell have been cast in the pivotal roles.
The novellas like “The Hedge Knight” that the show is adapting have long been fan favorites for providing rich historical context to Westeros. Set during the reign of King Aegon V Targaryen, Martin explores lesser known political intrigues and family secrets through the eyes of Dunk and Egg.
Production is already underway in Belfast, with locations like the show’s tournament setting of Ashford Castle being transformed. HBO expects a late 2025 release for the six-episode first season. Written by GRRM, it will adapt the first novella and introduce these breakout characters.
Series showrunner Miguel Sapochnik said the tone will be more grounded than the larger-scale epics of GoT and HotD. Fans can look forward to fresh perspectives on the complex Seven Kingdoms and exploration of the mysterious “Tragedy at Summerhall” event through Dunk and Egg’s adventures.
As HBO’s winning “Game of Thrones” franchise expands its cinematic universe, “The Hedge Knight” is primed to captivate old and new fans with its focus on smaller-scale storytelling in Westeros’ rich history.
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