Knight of the Seven Kingdoms creator explains major differences from Game of Thrones

Showrunner Ira Parker, co-creator of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms alongside George R. R. Martin, has shed light on how the upcoming HBO series will differ from its Game of Thrones predecessors. Speaking exclusively to Entertainment Weekly, Parker explained that the new show focuses on a grounded, character-driven narrative rather than the epic scale of Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon.

Unlike the sprawling animated openings fans expect from Westeros stories, the new prequel opts for a simple title card, a decision Parker said reflects the personality of its protagonist, Ser Duncan the Tall. “He’s plain, simple, and to-the-point. He doesn’t have a lot of flash to him,” Parker noted, emphasizing that every creative choice connects back to Dunk’s modest character.

Set roughly 50 years after the death of the last dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms takes place in a period when “nobody’s thinking about magic,” according to Parker. The show depicts a grittier, more human world — one without the kings, queens, and lords that dominated earlier stories. Instead, the narrative follows common folk such as armorers, barmaids, and wandering knights, staying true to Martin’s Dunk and Egg novellas.

The six-episode first season adapts The Hedge Knight, with Irish actor Peter Claffey starring as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as his young squire, Egg. Parker also hinted at a subtle political undercurrent involving the weakened Targaryen family, now struggling to justify their rule without dragons.

Martin has expressed strong approval of the series, writing on his blog that he “loved” all six episodes. The show will be previewed at New York Comic Con and is set to premiere on HBO and Max early next year.