REVIEW: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Season 1 Episode 1 is a Hysterical, Quick-Witted Introduction
- James Crooks
- 6 minutes ago
- 4 min read
This review contains minor spoilers for 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Season 1 Episode 1.
Amidst rumours around a Game of Thrones sequel series and House of the Dragon Season 3 comes a new, smaller-scale adventure within the land of Ashford Meadow. Those expecting gruesome violence and brooding villainy may be taken aback during A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' opening episodes. As it debuts cutaway gags and crude, immature humour within seconds of its premiere, it possesses a style more akin to Family Guy than Game of Thrones' usual bleakness. And it makes no mistake in committing to such personality, never once second-guessing itself and walking back into familiar GoT territory, for better or worse.
Audiences follow Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), a naive and clumsy, but brazenly ambitious, hedge knight embarking on a series of ridiculous exploits determined to make a name for himself. Episode 1, titled "The Hedge Knight," finds Duncan, or Dunk as he innocently calls himself, finding his feet after the passing of his Knight. No longer a squire, he travels with a fire in his belly in the pursuit of purpose, determined to compete in a local tournament. Along the way, he interacts with an ensemble of strange characters, from the stable boy called Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) to the powerful Lord Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings).
Such quirky personalities lend a delightful humour to the debut episode. Creating a distinct and uniquely cozy atmosphere that leans into the world of Game of Thrones but deliberately avoids falling in. Set 100 years before the events of the original series, AKOTSK allows the opening episode to establish the gentle charm of Dunk, the hurt he carries and the past in which he has suffered. This magic is drawn from gags, which, whilst serving belly-aching laughs, provide snippets of exposition; Why the adventure is so important, and why he is so headstrong on becoming a knight different to the one he followed. Peter Claffey (Small Things Like These) serves an incredible performance here and from early doors proves to be a stellar, vertically superior casting.
In many ways, audiences may resonate with the character of Ser Duncan. An overlooked outcast taught to “fit in and keep your head down”, yet yearning for purpose, even if just to be seen. Thematically, Episode 1 successfully completes an arc in this respect, or at least comes close in doing so. Overly self-critical, Dunk often acknowledges the snarky comments others brandish him with, from a slumped posture to his wholesome, gullible approach, atypical for a Knight within such times. Constantly kicking himself for letting others walk over him, he manages to overcome this attitude. Calling out bullyish behaviours and standing his ground, ironically earning the respect he is sought-after. Already growing towards the mentality of a heroic Knight.
Similarly, early achievement is found within Dunk’s treatment of Egg, the stable boy fixated on Ser Dunk, offering his services as a squire when tending to his horses. Whilst Dunk declines, it is done so with kindness, hoping the stable boy pursues a life better than the one he grew up with. Such moments highlight an incredible quality within the script, as audiences, hardly familiar with the character, become attached and aware of his personality as a good-natured gentle giant. Upon the reveal that Egg followed Duncan to the tournament, he finally accepts his services. Yet the parallel to managing the boy already feels different from his own experience as a squire, with Dunk acknowledging the unfair treatment he received and vouching to be better.
Throughout the episode, and a mentality likely to continue throughout the series, Dunk resonates more with the younger characters, than those he stands alongside. In the absence of a father figure, he leans on any support he can find. Whether the office tournament registry, local whores or even Lord Baratheon himself, encouraging an early range of performances that illustrate Ser Dunk’s purposelessness. Intertwining with this variety of characters proves endlessly exciting, with unpredictable remarks and laughs hiding around every corner. Simultaneously serving as cleverly sculptured insights into the minds of each role; how they treat Duncan and approach conversation, all the while contributing to audience’s gaining further understanding of this new time period and the temperaments within.
Given a blend of substance accustomed to television such as Ted, Game of Thrones, and even The Office (given its affable charm), one might not be unfair to suggest Episode 1 takes small and steady strides in narrative development. It seems keen on quickly developing personalities and introducing audiences to its raucous festival-like environment. In the best possible way, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms truly feels like a spin-off, opposed to a sequel or prequel series of a similar vein – like House of the Dragon. Unabashed by its humorous take on the region, as well as the colourful characters that feature, it executes a hysterical, quick-witted introduction that is unapologetically entertaining.
Episode 1 lays the groundwork for a stellar series showcasing a surprising range within the fantastical world of Game of Thrones. Unexpected by many, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms boasts an incredible start to 2026’s television slate.
About A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
Premiere Date: January 18, 2026
Writer: Ira Parker, Aziza Barnes, Hiram Martinez, Annie Julia Wyman, Ti Mikkel
Director: Owen Harris, Sarah Adina Smith
Distribution: HBO
Cast: Peter Claffey, Dexter Sol Ansell, Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Tanzyn Crawford, Daniel Ings, Sam Spruell
