HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Earns Stellar Rotten Tomatoes Score, Surpassing Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

Key Points

• HBO’s new Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiered less than a week ago.
• The six-episode series is based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas.
• The show currently holds a 95% Rotten Tomatoes rating, higher than both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.
• Stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg.
• The series takes a lighter, more personal approach compared to its predecessors, with no dragons in sight.

A Strong Start for HBO’s Latest Westeros Tale

HBO’s newest addition to the Game of Thrones universe, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has made an immediate impact with critics and audiences alike. Premiering less than a week ago, the series has already achieved a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, positioning it above both Game of Thrones (89%) and House of the Dragon (87%).

The Story and Setting

Set nearly 100 years before Game of Thrones and between the events of House of the Dragon, the series adapts George R.R. Martin’s beloved Tales of Dunk and Egg.

The narrative follows Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his young squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), who harbors a secret royal identity. Their journey takes them across Westeros to the Ashford Meadow Tournament, where Dunk hopes to prove himself as a true knight.

Unlike its predecessors, the series trades epic battles and dragon-fueled spectacle for a more intimate, character-driven story. With humor, camaraderie, and danger woven throughout, the show has been described as a “buddy comedy” set in Westeros.

Critical Reception and Comparisons

The series’ early acclaim places it ahead of HBO’s previous fantasy juggernauts. While Game of Thrones earned strong ratings in its early seasons—Season 2 and 4 both scored 97%—its final season dragged the overall score down to 55%.

House of the Dragon debuted with a 90% rating for Season 1 but dipped to 84% in Season 2. By contrast, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has impressed critics with its fresh tone and focus on character relationships rather than sprawling political intrigue.

Why It Matters

The success of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms demonstrates HBO’s ability to expand the Game of Thrones universe while experimenting with new storytelling approaches. By shifting away from dragons and dynastic wars, the series offers fans a different perspective on Westeros—one rooted in personal stakes and smaller-scale adventures.

What Happens Next?

With only six episodes, the series will continue to explore Dunk and Egg’s evolving bond and the challenges they face on their journey. If its strong reception holds, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms could pave the way for further adaptations of Martin’s novellas, expanding the franchise beyond its traditional epic scope.