In Review: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (S1 – EP1) The Hedge Knight

Synopsis: On his way to the tournament at Ashford, the hedge knight Ser Dunk crosses paths with a clever young boy named Egg, who boldly offers his service as a squire.

The Story

Set one hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms tells the story of a hedge knight known as Ser Dunk the Tall. The story opens with Dunk burying his master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree, a humble hedge knight who spent years travelling the Seven Kingdoms with his young squire.

Alone for the first time, Dunk lays his mentor to rest beneath a tree and resolves to continue the life Ser Arlan gave him, even if he must now walk it without guidance. Taking up his late master’s arms and armour, Dunk sets out for an upcoming tournament at Ashford, hoping to win coin, recognition, and perhaps a place among true knights.

On the road to Ashford, Dunk encounters a sharp-tongued and unusually perceptive boy who calls himself Egg. Though initially reluctant, Dunk refuses the boy’s offer of service and continues on alone, unaware that Egg secretly follows him.

Upon arriving at Ashford, Dunk learns that entry to the tournament requires the endorsement of a recognised knight. He attempts to track down a knight Ser Arlan once fought alongside, only to be firmly refused when he finally catches up with him. It is only then that Egg reveals himself once more, having followed Dunk to the tournament, and after the boy proves both capable and persistent, Dunk reluctantly accepts him as his squire.

The Acting

Peter Claffey is brilliantly cast as Ser Dunk, portraying him as brave and straightforward, yet endearingly naïve. It is this very naivety that allows the audience to latch onto Dunk and relate to his quest. Dexter Sol Ansell is solid as Egg, convincingly suggesting that he may well be the brains of the operation, thanks to his more streetwise nature. The early scenes between Claffey and Ansell do an excellent job of establishing what looks to be a fun and engaging chemistry as the series moves forward.

Daniel Ings also delivers an entertaining turn as Ser Lyonel ‘The Laughing Storm’, whom Dunk encounters when he unwittingly becomes a guest at Daeron’s party. The scene in which Dunk and Ser Lyonel engage in a medieval-style dance-off is hilariously effective, as the two men attempt to outmanoeuvre one another in a contest of pride and bravado.

Overall

Unlike House of the Dragon, which largely retells a story long foreshadowed in Game of Thrones, this series offers something genuinely fresh. It tells a smaller, more intimate story, centred on an unlikely hero in Ser Dunk, a character the audience naturally wants to root for. Rather than grand dynastic collapse, the focus here is on personal honour, survival, and quiet ambition.

It is a refreshing change of pace, and one that makes Dunk’s journey feel immediately engaging. I look forward to seeing how he develops over the coming weeks.