HBO and HBO Max are quietly stacking early wins this year, and no title is benefiting more than A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. According to figures released by the network per Variety, the Game of Thrones prequel is averaging nearly 13 million U.S. viewers per episode, putting it on pace to become the third-largest series debut in HBO Max history. For a franchise already defined by blockbuster television, that's no small accomplishment.
The 13 million average came when five of season one’s six episodes were available, and the show's momentum appears to be building rather than fading. Episode 5 reportedly marked a series high in early window performance, continuing a week-to-week growth trend that’s increasingly rare in the streaming era. Sustained viewership gains suggest this isn't just curiosity-driven sampling, as audiences are sticking around.
What makes the achievement particularly notable is the show's scale and tone. Unlike House of the Dragon, which leans heavily into political brutality and epic spectacle, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms adapts George R.R. Martin's more intimate Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. The series trades sprawling warfare for character-driven storytelling, focusing on camaraderie, honor, and smaller personal stakes within the larger Westerosi world.
The strong debut also signals broader strength for HBO's current lineup. The Pitt Season 2 is reportedly averaging around 12 million viewers per episode, reinforcing that the network’s momentum isn’t confined to fantasy alone. Still, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feels like the headline story, another confirmation that the Thrones universe remains a reliable draw nearly a decade after the original series concluded.
Whether the show can sustain this trajectory in future seasons remains to be seen. But for now, HBO can claim another franchise success: one that proves audiences are still eager to return to Westeros, even when the battles are smaller and the storytelling is a bit more wholesome.
All six episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 are now streaming on HBO and HBO Max. The series is currently filming its second season, which is slated to premiere sometime in 2027. For more about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, check out our extensive coverage for the show, including our recap for the season finale, deep dive into one of its ending's most interesting choices, page-to-screen book comparison, and a special episode of our Take the Black podcast that breaks down the finale and looks back on the season.