“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” expands HBO’s Westeros roadmap

HBO has renewed “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” for a second season before the first episode even reaches viewers. The half-hour fantasy drama, based on George R.R. Martin’s “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas, is set roughly a century before the events of “Game of Thrones.” It follows the adventures of Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall and his young squire Egg—future King Aegon V—as they wander Westeros in the age of Targaryen power. Season 1 is scheduled to premiere on January 18, 2026, with the newly announced second season expected in 2027.

The renewal was revealed during a New York presentation by HBO content chief Casey Bloys, who also confirmed a fourth season for fellow prequel “House of the Dragon,” set to return in summer 2026. Executives say the decision reflects confidence in the new series’ scripts, cast and early footage, as well as ongoing audience appetite for Westeros stories. For HBO, locking in multiple years of content helps reassure investors and viewers that the franchise will remain a pillar of its streaming and linear lineup. It also gives creative teams room to plan long-running character arcs rather than writing one season at a time.

Franchise strategy and fan expectations

“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” offers a more intimate tone than the sprawling wars and politics of the original “Game of Thrones.” The story centers on a humble hedge knight and a boy with a secret identity, mixing road-movie camaraderie with small-scale conflicts in tournaments, inns and borderlands. That change of scale could help attract viewers who enjoy the world of Westeros but prefer character-driven storytelling over large battle set pieces. At the same time, the Targaryen setting keeps the show close enough to familiar lore to satisfy fans invested in dragons, dynasties and prophecies.

For HBO, the challenge is to avoid franchise fatigue while expanding the universe. Recent years have seen streaming audiences grow more selective, and high-budget fantasy shows face stiff competition for attention and awards. By greenlighting Season 2 early, the network signals long-term commitment—but it also raises expectations for strong ratings and critical response. Fans still debate the controversial final season of “Game of Thrones,” and many will view the prequels as a chance to rebuild trust. If “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” delivers a tighter, more consistent story across its first two seasons, it could reset the narrative around Westeros on television.