This article contains SPOILERS for The Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas by George R.R. Martin.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, HBO's next series inspired by George R.R. Martin's world of Westeros, is set roughly 100 years before the events of the original show, Game of Thrones, based on Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire. As such, the newer show will ultimately feel disconnected from Game of Thrones, far more so than its first spinoff, House of the Dragon, which, despite being set further in the past than A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, ties into the original series more directly.
Based on Martin's three Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, "The Hedge Knight," "The Sworn Sword," and "The Mystery Knight," A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to follow the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, played by Peter Claffey, and his young squire Egg, played by Dexter Sol Ansell. As a Hedge Knight, Ser Duncan is not sworn to any particular noble house, so his travels take him all throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
Given how separate Dunk and Egg's stories feel from Martin's main series, some A Song of Ice and Fire fans may be surprised to recognize a familiar face in the pages of the novellas. Towards the end of "The Mystery Knight," one key Westerosi figure appears, connecting A Song of Ice and Fire and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Bloodraven arrives at the eleventh hour
Towards the end of "The Mystery Knight," Brynden Rivers, aka Bloodraven, a Targaryen bastard serving as Hand of the King, rides in with a huge army. He captures John the Fiddler, better known as Daemon Blackfyre, and Egg persuades him to give Dunk the gold required to buy back his armor from Ser Uthor Underleaf.
This quick conclusion makes for Bloodraven's only appearance in any Dunk and Egg novella to date. However, despite his small role, Ser Brynden is one of the most important figures in Westerosi history to ever appear in these short stories. Usually, Dunk and Egg's tales are reserved for smaller stakes adventures within Westeros, so Kings, Queens, and Hands are nowhere to be seen most of the time. This makes Bloodraven's small role here all the more noteworthy.
Bloodraven's role in A Song of Ice and Fire
Bloodraven appears in A Song of Ice and Fire in a much larger capacity and at a much older age. Though he doesn't physically appear until the fifth book in the series, A Dance with Dragons, he speaks with Bran Stark long before his debut in the form of the three-eyed crow.
When Bran, along with Meera and Jojen Reed, Hodor, Coldhands, and Summer the direwolf, finally reach the three-eyed crow's cave, they learn that Ser Brynden is now living alongside the Children of the Forest as the last greenseer. He teaches Bran how to use his own greensight abilities, allowing the Stark boy to see into the past and even catch a quick glimpse of his deceased father, Eddard Stark. However, Brynden explains to Bran that the past cannot be changed.
Bloodraven also appears in Game of Thrones, where he plays a similar role to his book counterpart, except he is called the Three-Eyed Raven, rather than the three-eyed crow. He first appears physically in the Season 4 finale "The Children," where he is portrayed by Struan Rodger. The character returns in Season 6, with Max von Sydow taking over the role for the new season. Von Sydow was nominated for an Emmy award for his portrayal.
Since Game of Thrones has surpassed A Song of Ice and Fire, it tells the end of Bloodraven's story. He dies defending Bran and his allies from the army of the Dead. Despite Brynden's death, the Three-Eyed Raven lives on, with Bran himself adopting the title.
Additionally, Brynden Rivers appears briefly in a vision in House of the Dragon Season 2, despite not appearing in Fire & Blood, the book which serves as the basis for the show. Joshua Ben-Tovim portrays a younger Bloodraven for this cameo.
As such, Bloodraven will likely be the only character to appear in all three HBO shows based on Martin's work. Given that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has already been renewed for a second season, it's reasonable to assume that "The Mystery Knight" will eventually be adapted for the show, and Bloodraven will almost certainly be included in HBO's version of the story. Pairing this likely appearance with his roles in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, Bloodraven acts as the ultimate bridge between all three eras of Westeros, a fitting role for him given his greensight abilities.
Make sure to catch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms when it airs on HBO Max on January 18. If you want to read more about Dunk and Egg's adventures, all three novellas are available in Martin's compilation book, also titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.