HBO’s A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on HBO Max is the next installment from George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker as a prequel to the hit series Game of Thrones, is a giant hedge knight who is A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS.

Sitting under a tree, Dunk (Peter Claffey) is mourning the death of his mentor, Sir Arlan of Pennytree (Daniel Webb). Deciding what his fate is, he gathers up the sword, shield, and three horses and begins his journey down the road. Arriving at an inn, he is instantly bewildered by people’s behavior. He also meets a little kid (Dexter Sol Ansell) who wants to be his squire and go to the tournament in Ashford. Once there, he sees a town readying for the event. While walking around, he discovers a puppet show tent and is instantly taken with the Dornish actress Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford).

He also meets Raymun Fossoway (Shaun Thomas), a squire to his cousin, and is invited into the tent of Sir Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings). They become fast friends, and Dunk turns to him for tournament advice. Returning to his makeshift camp, he discovers the stable boy has made himself at home! The boy, named Egg, promises to be of use to Dunk and help him work through the system. When in town the next day, Dunk meets Kingsguard Ronald Crakehall (Wade Briggs) and Donnel of Duskendale (Bill Ward), and watches the Targaryen princes Baelor (Bretie Carvel), Maekar (Sam Spruell), and Aerion (Finn Bennett) arrive. Learning what he needs to enter, Dunk becomes Sir Duncan the Tall and has Tanselle create a new coat of arms.

Egg and Duncan watch the tournament and learn strengths and weaknesses. Back at the puppet tent, Tansell is being tortured by Aerion, prompting Duncan to save the day. That comes with consequences as it becomes clear there is more to a tournament. Duncan must call on new friends and a small boy to help him survive the new world he lives in and the consequences of being in the wrong place at the right time.

Yet, their paths together are set!

Claffey as Dunk is absolutely stunning in this role. Clearly a “knight” out of place, he does his best to fit in, but his innocence does get in the way. It is meeting Egg that opens his eyes to the world outside the one Sir Pennytree kept him secluded in. Watching him walk in a much shorter world, he finds his own way without changing who he is. I love that about this character. Claffey comes in at a tad over 6’5”, which makes being Sir Duncan the Tall much easier. He also gets points for originally being from Portumna, Ireland. It’s an Irish thing. That being said, his portrayal of this shabby knight among the high-ranking nobles from the houses of the seven kingdoms, he isn’t taken seriously – until he is. The character of Duncan is formidable in such a unique way, and I can’t wait for Season 2.

Ansell as Egg is smart as a whip, clever, and finds a unique friendship with Duncan, and I’m not just talking about the rather large height difference between the two. He comes to believe in his tall friend and wants to help him in any way he can. Carrying secrets of his own, he just wants to be part of the world that holds so much fascination for him. Being Duncan’s squire is something he really wants. Ansell is amazing in this role for so many reasons. He projects the look of a kid much older than he is, and, when his secret comes to the surface, he projects that look just as well. He knows how to handle himself and actually goes out of his way to guide Duncan, which just strengthens the friendship between the two. I think one of my favorite things about Ansell’s portrayal is when Duncan tries to be tough with him, Egg takes it in stride and acceptance, but it is with such strength and understanding of who he is.

Ings as Sir Lyonel Baratheon, gives us a view of where the Baratheon way of life brought Robert to his knees. The one thing I really took from this character is that, although he might seem out of control and the ‘good time’ Baratheon, he also knows the meaning of loyalty. He befriends someone that others have turned away and, once in his circle, nothing or no one is going to stop his loyalty. Thomas as Raymun is another person who sees Duncan as a good person and wants to help wherever he can. He understands being pushed aside, and that’s quite a motivator. Raymun and Duncan together are just as much an important a match in the madness of it all.

Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, the moment he is on screen, oozes being a Targaryen that is going to be trouble, deadly trouble. His sense of privilege is through the roof, and anyone who gets in his way will suffer. Duncan is no exception. He thinks he is smarter than everyone around him and doesn’t care who gets in his way when he wants something. Well, if you are going to portray a Targaryen, do it well! Bennett does exactly that. Carvel as Baelor knows that being a Targaryen is difficult enough without someone like Aerion, so he chooses how to deal with him. Unfortunately, Duncan is the one to pay the price for it. Yet, he is a prince with honor, something Aerion has no concept of. So well done.

Spruell as Maekar is dealing with a son that has no idea of what it takes to be loved by the people in the kingdom, another son who can’t stay out of the bottle, and another son who is the best of him. Not an easy thing being the father of three Targaryen’s with such different personalities. Crawford as Tanselle, your appearance is short, but something tells me you are hardly done in this story, at least I hope so.

Shout out to Kerkour as Steely Pate – thanks for being so cool to Duncan. You better be back!

Other cast include Henry Ashton as Prince Daeron Targaryen, Daniel Monks as Sir Manfred Dondarrion, Rowan Robinson as Red, Edward Ashley as Sir Steffon Fossoway, Danny Collins as Sir Humfrey Beesbury, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Plummer, Carla Harrison-Hodge as Beony, Ross Anderson as Sir Humfrey Hardyng, Cara Harris as Lady Ashford, Oscar Morgan as Prince Valarr Targaryen, Paul Hunter as Lord Ashford, Steve Wall as Lord Leo Tyrell, Youssef Kerkour as Steely Pate,  Edward Davis as Alester, William Houston as Sir Robyn Rhysling, Chloe Lea as Rafe, and Russell Simpson as Lord Medgar Tully.

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The episodes include The Hedge Knight directed by Ira Parker, Hard Salt Beef directed by Aziza Barnes & Ira Parker, The Squire and Seven directed by Hiram Martinez, Annie Wyman, In the Name of the Mother directed by Hiram Martinez, Ti Mikkel and Ira Parker, and The Morrow directed by Ira Parker and Ti Mikkel,

A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS has only one big problem as far as I’m concerned: it’s only a half hour long! Come on, seriously? Duncan and Egg deserve more than 30 minutes of your time. I’m sure it has to do with the fact that the story is created from Martin’s novellas, Tales of Dunk and Egg. Still, we need to crank the story up to sixty minutes. Hopefully, with the success of this series, that will happen, and with more than 8 episodes.

Now, the cast, they are stellar! Claffey and Ansell together are just the best pairing. The flow between the two falls in so well with the story that is being told. So much so that I want to know more about their story and where they are going, leaving Ashford. Yes, Westeros is a big place, but that also opens the doors for many, many seasons. Ings as Baratheon reminds me a lot of Tyrion Lannister is the behaviors of frolicking and being drunk, yet he also is as loyal as Tyrion found himself being. He also looks a bit like Peter Dinklage!

The look and feel of Game of Thrones is not lost in this series, the names are there to recognize and sets a path forward. As a prequel, it is interesting to see how it hooks up to the beginning, and I’m all about it. I’m hoping that George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker can expand the story and expand our experience back into Westeros. I also can’t wait to see Duncan and Egg’s journey and growth for both of them both. This is going to be good. Season Two of A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS is slated for early 2027.

In the end – it is a tall tale that became legend!