HBO's New Westeros Series 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Takes a Human Approach
Get ready for another journey into the beloved fictional world of Westeros. HBO is expanding its Game of Thrones universe with a new sci-fi series titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. This show arrives after the conclusion of Game of Thrones and the gritty exploration in House of the Dragon.
A Century Before Game of Thrones
The series is set a full century before the events of Game of Thrones. It promises to deliver one of the most unexpected chapters in this vast universe. Based on George R. R. Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg, the story moves away from dragons and violent dynastic struggles. Instead, it focuses on something more relatable and human.
In a recent conversation with ETimes, showrunner Ira Parker explained why he chose to adapt this particular tale. He described it as a "Tall tale that became a legend." Parker feels a deep connection to the character of Dunk.
"I think there's a lot of Dunk inside of me, but I would say there's a lot of Dunk inside of everybody," Parker shared. "Having such a likeable, hopeful, almost optimistic-to-the-point-of-foolishness character is a really interesting entrance into this world."
Surprises for Game of Thrones Fans
Parker acknowledged that it is a challenging time for Targaryen enthusiasts. He believes fans of the original series will experience some initial shock. "The 'Game of Thrones' fans, who have come to expect a certain level of something from this show will be shocked or surprised as we begin," he said. "Hopefully in a positive way, and in a way that will allow them to stick with it enough to know that all of their favourite things are coming."
He emphasized that television at its best revolves around characters. "That's what we follow from episode to episode, season to season," Parker noted. "I think Dunk and Egg are two of George's best characters, and two of his more unlikely ones. Those odd-couple pairings were always my favourite - the Hound and Arya, Brienne and Pod. Hopefully people take pleasure in that here too."
Introducing Ser Duncan the Tall
During a roundtable discussion with ETimes, Parker elaborated on the character of Ser Duncan. This character received a brief mention in Game of Thrones during Season 4, Episode 1. In that scene, Joffrey teased Jaime Lannister while looking at the Book of Brothers, noting "Four pages for Ser Duncan." This hinted at the humble hedge knight's rise to become Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.
Parker clarified that Dunk is not a traditional hero at the start. "He's not a hero yet," Parker stated. "He's not this fake version of a hero that you don't sense, he just goes out and grabs it. He is a human being like me and you. He wants things, but he doesn't exactly know how to get the better things. And his journey this season is going to be about whether or not he can endure the trials of knighthood and actually rise to the occasion."
A Different Tone: Less Gore, More Grounded Reality
Parker addressed early questions from the audience regarding the show's content. Many wondered about the presence of dragons, intense bloodshed, gore, and sexual scenes.
"Look, it wasn't intentional. We didn't mean to subvert anything," Parker explained. "The truth is, we set out to give a faithful adaptation of these novellas. That was first and foremost our goal. And the story at the moment does not require the sex that was in the main series or was in 'House of the Dragon'. It's not that it will never be here; it's just that this hasn't become a big part of Dunk's journey yet."
Regarding violence, Parker offered reassurance. "The brutality and the blood, is on its way," he said. "If people stick around for episode four or five, they're going to get what you would expect from a normal 'Game of Thrones' season. But it was very important for us to feel grounded and gritty and real as early on as possible, because we want people to just be able to sit and enjoy Westeros in a way that connects to your normal life."
Collaboration with George R.R. Martin
Parker also discussed his close working relationship with the creator of this universe, George R. R. Martin. He insisted on a collaborative approach from the beginning.
"I told him, 'I'm not going to put anything in the show that you don't want in this show,'" Parker recalled. "And because of that, it never became a question of his version versus my version. We were just making a version together."
When asked about Martin's desire to see an epic jousting sequence on screen, Parker drew a comparison. He referenced Matt Smith's intense jousting scene in House of the Dragon.
"Personally, I loved that jousting scene, when he collides with the rail and goes skidding across it. I thought that was so cool," Parker admitted. "But look, we're trying to one-up them, and our budget is a lot lower. So we did the best that we possibly could. We have the very best horse riders and stunt performers in the world, and I think they've really done a job here."
Series Details and Release
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is scheduled for release on January 18. The story follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire, Egg. They wander through Westeros during the era when the Targaryen dynasty held the Iron Throne. Their quest for riches ultimately leads them to discover their great destinies.
The series features a cast including Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Sam Spruell, and Daniel Ings. It will consist of six episodes, offering a fresh and character-focused perspective on the world fans have come to love.
