‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’

The latest ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel series is sure to sweep you off your feet

“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” is just what audiences need in times like these. While many television shows today give off a predominantly serious tone — not necessarily a bad thing — reality feels heavy enough that it can be nice to find some sort of escape in our entertainment.

The prequel series was originally a novella spin-off to George R.R. Martin’s beloved book series “A Song of Ice and Fire” (1996-present).

The books followed the tale of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg, as they face many adventures throughout Westeros — eventually earning the knight a noble legacy many would respect for years to come.

Following the success of the other “Game of Thrones” (GOT) (2011-2019) spin-off series written by George R.R. Martin, “House of the Dragon” (2022), it should be no surprise HBO Max would want to pick up “The Hedge Knight” (1998). The series was met with an overwhelming amount of positive feedback.

This first season shows lead characters Ser Duncan, or “Dunk”, and Egg in a formative year of their friendship. Following Dunk as he aims to establish his knighthood through The Tourney at Ashford Meadow, Egg works to become a respectable squire underneath him — all the while, running from his past.

Ser Duncan and Egg have won over everyone’s hearts; the pair’s natural chemistry forms a wholesome bond that’s nearly impossible not to fawn over.

Peter Claffey embodies Ser Duncan masterfully despite only recently becoming an actor after spending much of his life playing professional rugby in Ireland. It’s made apparent through Claffey’s performance of Dunk that he truly does have a knack for acting. Towering over the rest of the cast in stature, Claffey perfectly plays to the loveable giant trope with his portrayal of Dunk’s strong moral values.

There is also no overlooking the standout performance of child actor Dexter Sol Ansell, who plays Egg in the series. At only 9 years old, Ansell manages to capture the many complex emotions that surface throughout Egg’s journey in this first season.

The young actor manages to steal the show multiple times throughout the season. Ansell has a clear dedication to the craft, and audiences can expect many more memorable moments from him in future seasons.

Emotional performances aside, both Claffey and Ansell land all their comedic beats, bringing fresh vigor to the show and a renewal of youth to the GOT universe. Beyond the amazing characters, the show also offers a thrilling plot that keeps the audience on their toes, surprisingly meeting the magnitude of past GOT installments. By matching the series’ comedic tone with the same amount of action and drama, the audience is able to fully immerse themselves in the fantastical adventure of Dunk and Egg.

With “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” fans of the “GOT” universe can enjoy the best of both worlds: the season provides a new section of the well-known Westeros’ lore, taking place years before the events of GOT, while also introducing a brand new, heart-warming story of a found family between Dunk and Egg.

Spin-offs of any beloved intellectual property tend to be a hit or miss with fans, but in the case of “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” everyone is eagerly awaiting more.

It’s easy to see that after winning over our hearts with season one, audiences are more than ready for the next adventure of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg. With six episodes of about 30 to 35 minutes each, this newest installment to the beloved universe created by George R.R. Martin is exactly what audiences have been waiting for.

Written by: Bella Peterson — arts@theaggie.org