New York Comic Con 2025 kicked off with a packed Q&A featuring the cast of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, HBO’s upcoming prequel from fantasy icon George R.R. Martin.
Set about a century before Game of Thrones, the series follows Ser Duncan “The Tall” and his young squire Egg as they roam across Westeros in search of adventure, honor, and the occasional bit of trouble. Fans were excited to see how this story would expand the world they love while bringing a more grounded, character-driven feel to it.
Co-creator and executive producer George R.R. Martin, co-creator/showrunner Ira Parker, and stars Peter Claffey (Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall) and Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) at New York Comic Con
After the lively panel wrapped, the cast headed to a smaller press roundtable where the conversation got a lot more personal.
While the panel focused on the show’s excitement and its connection to Game of Thrones, the roundtable showed a more personal side of the actors and the work that went into telling this story.
Peter Claffey, who plays Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall, spoke about how much he enjoyed the variety of emotions his role allowed him to explore. When asked about the challenges of the part, he said it gave him a rare chance to show many different sides of himself as an actor. He described the experience as something special, explaining that the story lets him move between funny, heartfelt, and serious moments while staying true to the world of Westeros. Claffey’s comments showed how this series takes a slightly different approach than Game of Thrones, focusing more on warmth, humanity, and personal growth alongside the action and drama.
Set about a hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows Dunk, a kindhearted knight, and his squire, Egg, who carries a secret that could change everything. The show tells a smaller, more personal story, showing friendship and loyalty in a world still full of danger. Claffey’s take on Dunk gives the story heart, showing a character who is brave but not perfect, and whose honesty and compassion make him easy to root for.
Dexter Sol Ansell, who plays Egg, talked about one of his toughest moments while filming. He said the most challenging scene comes early in the story, describing it as a huge, emotional moment that took a lot of effort to get right. He credited director Sarah Adina Smith for helping him bring out the emotion and confidence needed for the scene, calling her guidance “amazing.” His enthusiasm and honesty gave fans a glimpse into how much care went into making the series feel real and heartfelt.
Together, Claffey and Ansell’s stories from the set showed why A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms stands out from Game of Thrones. The series focuses on courage, friendship, and hope in a world that doesn’t always reward them, reminding fans that even in Westeros, there’s still room for heart. It’s shaping up to be a story about humanity as much as heroism, and one that could give the world of Game of Thrones a fresh new feel.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere in 2026 on HBO and Max.
