Based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms made its HBO debut on January 18, 2026, with the finale airing on February 22. Led by Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as his loyal young squire Egg, the fantasy drama quickly won over both critics and fans.
The series currently holds a strong IMDb rating of 8.9 out of 10. For comparison, Game of Thrones stands at 9.2 while House of the Dragon holds 8.3. The confidence in this new chapter of the Westeros saga was so high that it was renewed for Season 2 even before the first season premiered. With production already underway, here are three major things fans can expect next.
Spoilers ahead.
First, the source material and storyline. Season 2 is expected to adapt the second Dunk and Egg novella, The Sworn Sword. The story takes place around one and a half years after the dramatic Trial of Seven, where Dunk defeats Aerion. This time, Ser Duncan becomes a sworn sword to Ser Eustace Osgrey of Standfast. What begins as a simple service role soon turns tense when Dunk investigates the cause behind a devastating drought in the region. His curiosity draws him into a dangerous land dispute that threatens to turn violent. Peter Claffey and Dexter Sol Ansell are almost certain to return as Dunk and Egg. It remains unclear whether actors like Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen or Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion will reprise their roles.
Second, the question of Dunk and Tanselle. Season 1 introduced a subtle but meaningful connection between Dunk and the Dornish puppeteer Tanselle, played by Tanzyn Crawford. The finale saw Dunk and Egg heading toward Dorne, leaving fans wondering if a reunion is on the horizon. Whether their paths cross again in Season 2 or in a later chapter remains to be seen, but the emotional thread has clearly been left open.
Third, the format and release timeline. The first season consisted of six episodes, each running between 30 and just over 40 minutes. Season 2 is also expected to have six episodes, though some instalments could stretch closer to the 60-minute mark. While there is no confirmed premiere date yet, the new season is likely to arrive sometime in 2027.
For those new to the series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set nearly a century before the events of Game of Thrones. It follows the journey of Ser Duncan the Tall, a humble hedge knight, and Egg, his sharp and secretly royal squire, as they travel through a Targaryen-ruled Westeros. Unlike the large-scale political chaos of its predecessors, this story leans into personal honour, loyalty, and the quiet tensions that shape kingdoms long before wars erupt.
With its strong debut season and rich source material still to explore, the next chapter promises more intrigue, moral dilemmas, and the kind of grounded storytelling that has already set it apart within the Game of Thrones universe.