‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ – A Knight Rises: HBO Max Returns to Westeros with Heart, Honour, and Heroism – Review

The realm of Westeros is calling, and this time, it beckons us back to a period when chivalry still lived. Away from the burning machinations of power and deceit, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms opens a bold new chapter in George R. R. Martin’s fantasy world, inviting audiences to venture into the tall tales of the hedge knight.

Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, HBO Max’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms follows Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his quick-witted squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) as they carve their own path across the Kingsroad and the tournament fields of Westeros. The result is a heroic, upbeat, and intensely exciting adventure — one that pulls audiences in immediately and reminds us why this world captured imaginations in the first place.

Set a century before Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wander Westeros – a naive but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), and his diminutive squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). Great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits await these improbable friends

Before the Dragon Fell to the Stag

This is Westeros before dragons vanished and before the Iron Throne became synonymous with pure bloodshed. The Targaryen dragon still rules, and into this era steps Ser Duncan the Tall; an impoverished, newly made hedge knight with no lord, no land, and little more than a sword, a shield, and a stubborn sense of right and wrong.

Desperate to make his name, fortune, and perhaps earn a scrap of glory, Duncan’s journey soon becomes something far greater. Adapting Martin’s beloved Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a classic coming-of-age story, a pure Hero’s Journey, set in a land long bereft of true heroes. Where Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon revelled in grim darkness and political rot, this series feels like an antidote: a tale of honour, courage, and the cost of doing the right thing.

The Making of a True Knight

Rather than a sprawling, empire-shaking epic, the series wisely keeps its focus intimate. This is Duncan’s story, a young man of towering height and size, trying to understand who he really is and what it means to be a knight.

Former professional rugby player Peter Claffey is a near-perfect fit. He captures Duncan’s uncertainty and imposter syndrome while grounding the character in decency and quiet resolve. Duncan wants to be good in a world that rewards cruelty, power, and dominance; and that goodness is often punished. Yet he never wallows. He endures. He keeps punching forward, living true to his oath. Claffey brings warmth, humour, and steel to the role, and audiences are sure to be enchanted by his performance.

Knight and Squire

Matched beautifully with Claffey is Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, the would-be squire with secrets of his own. Where Duncan offers size and strength, Egg counters with razor-sharp wit and intelligence. Ansell is the series’ quiet scene-stealer, bringing enormous heart to the role. The chemistry between the two is pitch-perfect — a big brother/little brother dynamic that grounds the entire series and gives it much of its soul.

Princes, Storms, and Steel

For such an intimate story, the supporting cast is stacked and leaves a lasting impression. Daniel Ings brings swagger and bawdy charm as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, the “Laughing Storm,” a knight who recognises Duncan’s potential and encourages him to live loudly and boldly. Ings is clearly having a blast.

Finn Bennett is deeply unsettling as Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen — cruel, vindictive, and petty — forming a dangerous grudge against Duncan that spirals into brutal consequences. Towering above them all is Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen, heir to the Iron Throne and Hand of the King. Carvel commands every scene with authority and moral gravity, embodying the kind of leader Westeros desperately needs, and seeing potential in Duncan that others overlook.

Blood, Honour, and the Jousting Ground

The world-building and action are thrilling, centred around the Ashford tournament and its brutal jousts. The atmosphere is raucous and electric, shifting quickly from celebration to danger. As steel strikes and tempers flare, Duncan’s mettle is tested in ways that reshape his destiny. The tension builds episode by episode, culminating in confrontations that will leave audiences stunned.

Final Verdict: A Tale Worth Telling

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feels right on every level. For viewers craving high fantasy rooted in honour, courage, and character, this is something truly special. Rich with nuance, excitement, and imagination, it offers a refreshing new flavour of Westeros; and this tall tale is only just beginning.

Stream A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on NEON now.

Image: SKY NZ