HBO’s latest gamble on a “smaller” Westeros has paid off. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiered on January 18, 2026, to massive acclaim, currently holding a 95% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While fans are enjoying the “hedge knight” grit of the first season, showrunner Ira Parker just revealed a future plan so ambitious it makes Game of Thrones look like a limited series.
The 30-Year Vision
In a recent interview with Esquire, Parker admitted he doesn’t just want to adapt the existing novellas—he wants to follow actors Peter Claffey (Dunk) and Dexter Sol Ansell (Egg) for the rest of their natural lives.
His proposed roadmap, which he pitched to a “politely skeptical” HBO, looks like this:
- Phase 1 (Now): 4 to 5 seasons focusing on Egg as a child (Dexter Sol Ansell’s current age).
- Phase 2 (10 Years Later): A second run of 4 to 5 seasons focusing on Egg as a Prince, with the actors returning at their actual, older ages.
- Phase 3 (20 Years Later): A final run focusing on Egg as an adult King and Dunk as the Lord Commander.
“I want to do it like Richard Linklater’s Boyhood,” Parker told Esquire. “Covering their whole lives. And mine, too.”
Where is the Story Coming From?
Fans have rightly pointed out that George R.R. Martin has only published three Dunk and Egg novellas (The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight). However, Martin has already provided Parker with outlines for 12 additional stories that take the characters to the end of their journey.
While Martin is reportedly still “prioritizing” The Winds of Winter, he has been actively involved in sketching the roadmap for Dunk and Egg to ensure the show doesn’t run into the same “outpacing” issues that plagued the final seasons of Game of Thrones.
Critical Acclaim vs. “Divided” Fans
Despite a record-breaking premiere (6.7 million viewers in 3 days), the show has sparked a debate among the “Blood and Cheese” crowd:
- The Critics (95%): Praise the show’s lighter, half-hour format and its focus on “ordinary people” over palace intrigue.
- The Audience (70%): Some fans have expressed “division” over the slower pace and the lack of dragons, with a few viral complaints targeting a certain “explosive” diarrhea scene in the pilot as being “too gritty.”
Regardless of the “poop-gate” controversy, HBO is all-in. The series was renewed for Season 2 (adapting The Sworn Sword) before the first episode even aired.
Westeros TV Roadmap: 2026-2027
| Show | Status | Next Release |
|---|---|---|
| A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | Season 1 Airing | Season 2 in 2027 |
| House of the Dragon | Season 3 Filming | Summer 2026 |
| Untitled Arya Stark Sequel | In Development | TBD |
| Ten Thousand Ships | In Development | TBD |
