After six unforgettable episodes, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 is over. It's safe to say that fans loved every minute of the newest TV adaptation of George R. R. Martin's world of Westeros.
While season 2 still seems somewhat far off, with a 2027 release date feeling like an eternity for a fanbase that needs a seventh episode as soon as possible, HBO has finally revealed some casting news for the show's second outing.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms adapts Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas for the small screen. While the first season brought his initial short story, "The Hedge Knight," to life, season 2 is set to adapt its follow up, "The Sworn Sword." As such, the only cast members from season 1 set to return for Season 2 are the two series leads, Peter Claffey, who plays Ser Duncan the Tall, also known as "Dunk," and Dexter Sol Ansell, who embodies the role of Dunk's young squire, Prince Aegon "Egg" Targaryen.
While audiences will surely be sad to say goodbye to the fantastic supporting cast from season 1, the initial casting announcement for some "Sworn Sword" characters for season 2 reveals that another fantastic group of actors will be joining Claffey and Sol Ansell. One exciting star who is joining the second season promises a fascinating take on one of "The Sword Sword's" biggest new characters.
Bennis of the Brown Shield, Dunk's fellow hedge knight
Ser Duncan the Tall is one of Martin's first hedge knight character, and even though the status his own knighthood remains ambiguous, Dunk is everything a knight should be. He's chivalrous, kind, and brave, standing up for what's right and protecting the small folk.
As such, the introduction of another hedge knight in "The Sworn Sword," Ser Bennis of the Brown Shield, entirely foils Ser Duncan. Rather than a knight who might feature in a fairy tale, Bennis is crass, rude, and foul mouthed, far more typical of a character from A Song of Ice and Fire. His teeth are rotten, and his lack of washing results in his signature foul stench.
Bennis first met Dunk back when he was squiring for Ser Arlan (Danny Webb), when a group of hedge knights were hired to protect a Dornish merchant. Bennis bullied the younger Dunk, and when another knight went missing, rumors began to spread that Bennis had murdered him after an argument gone wrong.
Bennis' unpleasant behavior made his reunion with Dunk years later, when both men are serving Ser Eustace Osgrey (set to be played by Peter Mullan this season), an unpleasant one. After Dunk and Bennis discover that a dam commissioned by Lady Rohanne Webber (Lucy Boynton) has resulted in a drought, Bennis attacks one of the dam workers, which acts as the inciting incident for the story.
Where have you seen Babou Ceesay before?
According to HBO's initial casting announcement, Bennis of the Brown Shield will be played by British actor Babou Ceesay in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2. The actor has been building up an impressive resume since his film debut in 2006 in Severance (not the hit sci-fi show on Apple TV +, an unrelated movie with the same name).
Ceesay is no stranger to major franchises. Before joining the world of Westeros, he appeared in the billion dollar grossing Rogue One: A Star Wars Story as Lieutenant Sefla. Additionally, in one of Ceesay's most recent successes, he took on one of the lead roles in Alien: Earth, a TV series set in the world of the hit sci-fi/horror Alien franchise. There, Ceesay portrays cyborg security officer Morrow.
Ceesay has also earned some well deserved critical acclaim throughout his career. For his work in the television film Damilola, Our Loved Boy, he was nominated for a BAFTA Television Award for Best Actor. He has also received praise for his take on the titular role in the police procedural Wolfe and the historical drama Guerrilla.
Additionally, many online A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms fans have noted that Ceesay is far better looking than Bennis is described in Martin's source material. Perhaps this will result in some more changes to the character when he appears on screen.
With his range, talent, and stellar resume, Bennis of the Brown Shield will be in good hands with Babou Ceesay. In the meantime, make sure to catch up on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by streaming season 1 on HBO Max.