Fans of Westeros are buzzing with anticipation following the release of the first official trailer for "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," the latest prequel series set in George R.R. Martin's beloved fantasy universe. The debut trailer, revealed at New York Comic Con on Thursday, October 9, 2025, offers a captivating glimpse into a different era of the Seven Kingdoms, promising a more intimate and character-driven narrative. The new six-episode series is slated to premiere on HBO and Max on Sunday, January 18, 2026.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]} ### A Return to the Age of Hedge Knights "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" transports viewers roughly a century before the events of "Game of Thrones" and 72 years after the ongoing "House of the Dragon."^[1][2] Based on Martin's "Tales of Dunk and Egg" novellas, the series chronicles the adventures of two unlikely heroes: Ser Duncan the Tall, a young, naive but courageous hedge knight, and his diminutive squire, Egg.^[2][7][3] The trailer highlights a world where the Targaryen dynasty still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragons has not yet faded entirely.^[1][7][8] The series is poised to offer a fresh perspective on Westeros, focusing on the lives of common folk and the challenges faced by a wandering knight. Showrunner Ira Parker emphasized a commitment to realism and grit, stating, "Our guiding light on this show was to follow Dunk in terms of tone and point of view and the mud and the dirt."^[5] George R.R. Martin himself described the series as "much shorter" and "with a much different tone" than its predecessors, even incorporating a few jokes in the trailer, signaling a potentially lighter atmosphere than the often grim "Game of Thrones" or "House of the Dragon."^[9][8][5] ### Key Details and Cast The newly released trailer showcases a world of jousting tournaments, medieval landscapes, and the burgeoning bond between its central duo.^[9][8] The series promises a focus on individual journeys and moral dilemmas rather than large-scale dynastic wars.^[6] * **Premiere Date:** January 18, 2026, on HBO and Max.^{[1][7][3][4][5][6]} * **Episodes:** Six half-hour episodes, releasing weekly.^[1][2][3][6] * **Main Characters:** * **Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk):** Portrayed by Peter Claffey, a former rugby player whose credits include "Bad Sisters."^{[1][2][8][10]} * **Egg (Prince Aegon Targaryen):** Played by Dexter Sol Ansell, known for "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes."^[1][2][8] * **Supporting Cast Includes:** * Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion Targaryen^[1][9][2][8] * Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor Targaryen^[9][2][8] * Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon^[9][2][8] * Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, a Dornish puppeteer^[9][2][8] * Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen^[9][2][8] * **Creative Team:** George R.R. Martin is co-creator and executive producer, alongside showrunner Ira Parker.^{[7][5][10][6]} * **Filming Location:** Northern Ireland.^[5] Notably, the series will depart from the iconic animated opening sequences of "Game of Thrones" and "House of the Dragon," opting instead for a simple title card for each episode.^[8][10] This stylistic choice further underscores the prequel's distinct identity and focus. ### A New Chapter in Westerosi Lore "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" delves into a period rich with lore but less explored on screen. It promises to introduce familiar houses like Targaryen, Lannister, and Baratheon, but through the eyes of new members and in a context where the political landscape, while still dominated by the Targaryens, feels different from the later eras.^[11] The series is expected to highlight themes of honor, friendship, and the struggles of those outside the uppermost echelons of power in Westeros.^[6] This new prequel offers a refreshing shift in tone and scope, moving away from the grand-scale wars and dragon-fueled conflicts to explore a more grounded, yet equally compelling, narrative. As George R.R. Martin stated, "It's still Westeros, so no one is truly safe,"^[9][5] assuring fans that even with a different approach, the inherent dangers and intricate storytelling that define his world will remain. With its January 2026 premiere, "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is set to expand the ever-growing "Game of Thrones" universe, inviting audiences to discover a new "tale that became legend."^[6]