Dunk and Egg Take the Spotlight in New Thrones Spin-Off
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms shifts the Game of Thrones universe’s focus to Dunk, a modest hedge knight, and his unlikely squire Egg. The series debuts on 18 January on HBO and HBO Max, and 19 January on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
The Game of Thrones world is heading in a fresh direction with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. This time around, the story doesn’t revolve around power-hungry nobles or scheming aristocrats. Instead, it follows Dunk, a bloke with humble beginnings, who finds himself at the centre of the action. Peter Claffey, who steps into Dunk’s boots, reckons the character’s gentle side made things easier for him on set.
“It made it easier,” Claffey shares during a roundtable chat. “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.”
“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: Ninety Years Before Thrones
Set nearly a century before the events fans know, the series picks up after Dunk’s mentor passes away. Left to his own devices, Dunk decides to try his luck at a tournament, hoping to carve out a future for himself. Along the way, he crosses paths with Egg, a mysterious stable lad who ends up as his squire. Dexter Sol Ansell takes on the role of Egg, bringing a new dynamic to the duo’s journey.
The show promises a different flavour from its predecessors, focusing on the unlikely partnership between Dunk and Egg as they navigate a world that’s as dangerous as ever, but seen through the eyes of those on the fringes rather than the throne room.
Premiere Dates and What to Expect
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to premiere on 18 January on HBO and HBO Max, with Sky Atlantic and NOW airing it a day later on 19 January. Punters keen to keep up with the series can check out the release schedule or catch early reviews to see how this new chapter stacks up against the much-loved originals.