A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms release date Delayed to 2026

Westeros fans, sharpen your swords and steady your patience. The next journey into George R.R. Martin’s fantasy world is taking a little longer to arrive than expected. HBO’s upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has officially been pushed to 2026.

Although no hard date was ever locked in, there was a lot of buzz that the series might drop by the end of 2025. That hope was dashed on Wednesday when Warner Bros. Discovery shared a teaser at their big upfront event in New York City. The trailer ended with a clear message: 2026. But if you’re reading between the lines, there’s a bit of good news—HBO content boss Casey Bloys hinted at a winter release. So, early 2026 could be the window we’re looking at.

What Is “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” All About?

If you’ve ever wanted to explore Westeros before Game of Thrones or even House of the Dragon, this is your chance. The series is based on Martin’s novella The Hedge Knight, and it takes place about 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It’s also set roughly a century after the dragon-heavy events of House of the Dragon. So yes, dragons are still a memory—just not as present.

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The story follows Ser Duncan the Tall (played by Peter Claffey), a young knight with more courage than experience, and his unlikely companion, Egg (played by Dexter Sol Ansell), who you might later recognize as a very important name in Targaryen history.

Their journey begins with a trip to a competition, but as fans of Westeros know, nothing ever goes according to plan. Along the way, they’ll cross paths with members of the powerful Targaryen family, including Prince Aerion (Finn Bennett), Prince Baelor (Bertie Carvel), and Prince Maekar (Sam Spruell). There’s also Ser Lyonel Baratheon, a.k.a. the Laughing Storm (Daniel Ings), and a puppeteer named Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford), adding even more depth to this prequel’s cast of characters.

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The official logline sums it up beautifully:
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.

Who’s Behind the Scenes?

There’s no shortage of talent bringing this new tale to life. George R.R. Martin himself is on board as writer and executive producer, teaming up with Ira Parker (The Sympathizer, House of the Dragon). That’s already a strong start.

Also returning is House of the Dragon co-creator Ryan Condal as executive producer, along with Vince Gerardis, Owen Harris, and Sarah Bradshaw. Directing duties are split for the six-episode first season: Sarah Adina Smith (Lessons in Chemistry, Hanna) will direct three episodes, while Harris will direct the other three. That kind of balance hints at a tight, cinematic tone—perfect for a smaller, more focused story.

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Unlike the massive, chaotic scope of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms looks to tell a more intimate tale. Think of it as a buddy story with swords, dragons in the background, and the looming tension of dynastic politics.

Ready to Revisit Westeros?

While it’s always hard to wait, especially when the hype is real, this delay might actually be a blessing. It gives the production team more time to polish the visuals, deepen the storytelling, and deliver something that truly feels like it belongs in the Game of Thrones universe.

If you’re someone who loved the quieter character moments just as much as the big battle scenes, this series might end up being your favorite spinoff yet.