The upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has been pushed to 2026. Warner Bros. Discovery revealed the delay during its recent upfront presentation. Originally slated for a late 2025 premiere, the series is now expected to debut in early 2026. HBO CEO Casey Bloys has indicated a winter release for the show, suggesting a premiere in the early months of the year.
The delay was revealed at a Warner Bros. Discovery event in New York City, where advertisers were shown a trailer for the series. The trailer concluded with a title card confirming the 2026 release date.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is based on George R.R. Martin's Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. The six-episode series follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a hedge knight, and his young squire, Egg, who is secretly Aegon V Targaryen, a future king of Westeros. The story is set approximately 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones, after House of the Dragon.
The series stars Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg. The cast also includes Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, Sam Spruell as Maekar Targaryen, Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, and Bertie Carvel as Baelor Targaryen.
George R.R. Martin has expressed his enthusiasm for the series, stating that he has seen all six episodes and loves them. He praised the actors portraying Dunk and Egg and noted that the show is a faithful adaptation of his novellas.
Recent reports indicate that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is undergoing reshoots in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The extent of the reshoots is unknown, but such modifications are common in large-scale productions and do not necessarily indicate significant delays. Principal photography concluded in mid-September 2024, after commencing in June of the same year.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is one of several Game of Thrones spin-offs in development. Others include House of the Dragon, which has been renewed for a third season, and potential projects such as Aegon's Conquest. A Jon Snow sequel series is no longer happening. Furthermore, HBO is considering expanding the Game of Thrones universe with a movie.
The delay of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has disappointed some fans, who were anticipating a 2025 release. However, others have expressed excitement for the show's eventual premiere in 2026, with some noting that they will also be getting House of the Dragon Season 3.
The official logline for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms reads: "A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends".
