New A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS Promos Show a Fun Side of Westeros We Haven’t Seen Before
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is almost here, and HBO is making sure fans know this isn’t another grim march through Westeros. With the debut just days away, two new promo videos have dropped that tease a lighter, more character-driven take on the world that started with Game of Thrones.
The clips put the spotlight squarely on Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire Egg, and they suggest a series that’s more playful and intimate while still firmly rooted in George R.R. Martin’s world.
One of the promos leans fully into humor, featuring Ser Duncan the Tall stumbling into a painfully awkward exchange with a group of camp prostitutes. It’s quick, funny, and intentionally uncomfortable, showing off a side of Westeros that fans don’t often see.
Instead of political scheming or looming war, this moment highlights Dunk’s innocence and social clumsiness, which is a big part of what makes the character so endearing on the page.
The second promo shifts gears and focuses on Dexter Sol Ansell, charting his transformation into Prince Aegon Targaryen, better known as Egg. The video emphasizes how much weight is carried by such a small character and how Egg’s journey from sharp-tongued kid to future king begins here.
It’s a reminder that while the tone may be lighter, the story is still laying the groundwork for major events in Westeros history.
The six-episode first season adapts The Hedge Knight, the first of George R.R. Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas, and premieres January 18 on HBO Max. If all goes according to plan, there’s plenty more story to tell, with The Sworn Sword from 2003 and 2010’s The Mystery Knight lined up for future seasons.
The series stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, anchoring the show with a relationship that’s far more personal than the sprawling ensemble of Game of Thrones.
They’re joined by Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen, Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen, Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, also known as the Laughing Storm, and Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen.
Martin himself has already seen the full season and couldn’t hide his enthusiasm. Writing on his blog, he said, "I’ve seen all six episodes now (the last two in rough cuts, admittedly), and I loved them. Dunk and Egg have always been favorites of mine, and the actors we found to portray them are just incredible."
He went on to add, "The rest of the cast are terrific as well. Wait until you guys meet the Laughing Storm. and Tanselle Too-Tall. It’s as faithful as adaptation as a reasonable man could hope for (and you all know how incredible reasonable I am on that particular subject)."
Set roughly a century before the events of Game of Thrones, the series follows two unlikely heroes wandering Westeros at a time when the Targaryens still sit the Iron Throne and the memory of dragons hasn’t yet faded.
According to the official synopsis, "A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends."
If these promos are any indication, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms isn’t trying to replicate the scale of Game of Thrones. Instead, it’s carving out its own lane with humor, heart, and two characters who make Westeros feel fun again.