Fans had high hopes for HBO’s next Westeros adventure, but the latest update has left many shaking their heads. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the upcoming prequel series based on George R.R. Martin’s iconic Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, was supposed to breathe fresh life into the Game of Thrones universe. Instead, the latest report about the fantasy series has only sparked frustration among fans.
With news that the first season will feature just six episodes, each running only 30 to 35 minutes, many feel the show is being shortchanged, especially compared to the hour-long episodes and sprawling storylines fans have come to expect in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.
This small episode count and short runtime have left fans worried that the new series might lack the depth and grandeur that made its predecessors so loved. Many took to Reddit to voice their disappointment, fearing that HBO is cutting corners and not giving this beloved world the attention it deserves.
"6 half hour episodes is absolutely pathetic. What’s the point, just make it a movie." - xSEARLEYx
"Six 30 min episodes. So 3 hours a season? Piss off." - RainbowPenguin1000
"So it’s a movie per year. Gotcha. What kind of bullshit is this? This is not a show." - LastGoodKnee
I personally can understand the frustration. Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon have benefited greatly from having longer seasons and episode runtimes. With A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms trimmed down to just six shorter episodes for its first season, it makes you wonder if the show will have enough time to fully explore its characters and storylines, or if it might end up feeling rushed and underdeveloped.
There are rumors going around that HBO has already renewed the fantasy series for an additional second and third season to finish adapting the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas in full. However, those two installments are also believed to follow the same limited episode count and shorter runtimes. Of course, this has only made fans more concerned.
But who knows? Maybe the fantasy series will find a way to deliver a compelling story within those constraints, proving that quality storytelling doesn’t always require lengthy episodes. The good news is that Martin is the co-creator and is closely involved in the project. He even shared on his personal blog earlier this year that he's already seen the first season in its entirety and loves it.
This gives us a bit of reassurance that the story is being handled with care. If anyone knows how to bring the heart of Westeros to life, it’s Martin himself. So while the shorter format might be disappointing, there's still a chance the series will surprise us all and become another memorable chapter in the Game of Thrones universe. Fingers crossed!
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to premiere on HBO in early 2026.
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