Summary
Highlights
The video introduces the new Game of Thrones series, 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight,' based on George R.R. Martin's 'Tales of Dunk and Egg.' HBO plans to adapt all three novellas across three seasons, releasing one per year. The show will have fewer special effects and no dragons, with six 30-minute episodes per season, making it easier to produce than previous series.
Season one adapts 'The Hedge Knight,' focusing on Dunk, Sir Arlen of Pennytree's squire. After Arlen's death, Dunk takes his armor and attempts to enter a tournament at Ashford, lying about being knighted by Arlen. This mirrors the plot of 'A Knight's Tale.' Hedge knights are wandering knights without masters, and Dunk's early life involved traveling Westeros, serving various great houses.
Theories suggest Dunk might be a bastard of a lord, though the series emphasizes his 'small folk' origins. He becomes one of the greatest knights and Lord Commanders of the Kingsguard, Sir Duncan the Tall. There was even a brief reference to him in Game of Thrones season four.
After Sir Arlen's death, Dunk meets Egg (Aegon V Targaryen) at an inn. Egg is introduced as being very low in the line of succession, the fourth son of a fourth son. Events in the show will highlight how his position changes due to various tragedies within the Targaryen family and the realm. Egg, disguised as a stable boy with a shaved head to hide his Targaryen features, eventually becomes Dunk's squire.
The series will feature Aerion Targaryen as an antagonist and Tanzel Too Tall, a potential love interest for Dunk, possibly an ancestor to Brienne of Tarth. Egg is the younger brother of Maester Aemon, who is at the Citadel during this time. The Blackfyre Rebellion and the Great Spring Sickness play a role in setting up the timeline. Younger versions of other notable characters like Bloodraven (Brynden Rivers), who later becomes the Three-Eyed Raven, might also appear, connected to the 'prince who was promised' prophecy.
A prominent part of the trailer shows jousting scenes and sets up the 'Trial by Seven.' This occurs when Dunk defends Tanzel from Aerion Targaryen, a crown prince. To avoid severe punishment for striking a royal, Dunk chooses a Trial by Seven, involving seven champions for each side. The participants include major figures like Baelor Targaryen and Lionel Baratheon on Dunk's side, and Aerion, Daeron, Maekar, and members of the Kingsguard on Aerion's side, effectively sparking a mini Targaryen civil war.
The series is expected to be a book-accurate adaptation with a different, more intimate vibe than previous Game of Thrones shows. The soundtrack is composed by Dan Roemer, distinct from Ramin Djawadi's work. The show focuses on the perspective of the 'small folk' rather than just highborn characters. It will feature many Easter eggs and connections to other series, especially highlighting that Sir Duncan the Tall is Brienne of Tarth's direct ancestor, explaining her height. The series will explore the aftermath of the Dance of the Dragons and the Blackfyre Rebellions.