There are funny moments in Game of Thrones; see Tyrion Lannister proclaiming that he drinks and he knows things, or Bronn cheerfully agreeing that he doesn't fight with honor; who would in this world? But when you think of HBO's fantasy epic, you mostly think of the serious moments: main characters getting butchered at the Red Wedding, Daenerys Targaryen burning down King's Landing, etc. The prequel show House of the Dragon has doubled down on that, giving us a deadly serious take on a story about the Targaryen family divided against itself.
But the Game of Thrones universe is a big place and there are other tones to strike. HBO is currently working on another prequel series called A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, based on George R.R. Martin Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. Set decades after the events of House of the Dragon but decades before Game of Thrones, it's about a taciturn knight named Ser Duncan the Tall and his precocious squire Egg. They don't fight in epic battles or ride dragons; mostly they travel the Seven Kingdoms looking for work.
By all accounts, the show is much lighter and more fun than Game of Thrones fans are used to. When Deadline got an early look at the show last year, they commented that "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms...was displayed in all its humor and irreverence." Earlier this week, Warner Bros. Discovery showed off a trailer for the show at its 2025 Upfronts presentation, and at least one person there was caught off guard by how funny it was:
"Is Game of Thrones A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms supposed to be a comedy?" asks Lyra Hale. "Because that first trailer at WBD Upfront 2025 made me laugh more than expected."
I don't know if I'd go so far as to say A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is meant to be a comedy — Dunk and Egg still get into some serious situations — but it won't be as severe as either of its sister shows. Everyone from HBO executive Casey Bloys to Martin himself has said as much. "It's a little softer. It's a little more humorous. I hope the audience will be open to that kind of change," said Martin, who has seen all the episodes ahead of time.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms comes out early in 2026
Personally, I'm looking forward to this change of pace. Unfortunately, we have to wait longer than expected to see the show. Originally, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was slated to air on HBO and HBO Max later this year, but the studio just announced that it's being pushed back to early in 2026. It's frustrating.
Does that mean that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will air in the same year as House of the Dragon season 3, which is being filmed as we speak? Will HBO get to work early on future seasons of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to ensure the waits between seasons are kept to a minimum? They're talking about it, but ultimately we don't know the answers to any of these questions...yet. We'll keep our ear to the ground for more.
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