Winter is coming—again. After years of anticipation, HBO has officially confirmed that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the highly awaited Game of Thrones spin-off, will premiere on January 18, 2026. Indian fans who have been eagerly waiting to return to the magical world of Westeros can mark their calendars, as the series will stream exclusively on JioHotstar on the same day it launches internationally. This announcement, made at New York Comic Con on October 9, 2025, puts an end to months of speculation after the series faced a delay from its originally planned late 2025 release.
When Is the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms OTT Release Date?
HBO officially announced the exact release date at New York Comic Con (NYCC) on October 9, 2025, revealing that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 10 PM ET / 9 PM CT on HBO and HBO Max. The announcement came alongside the release of the show’s first official trailer, which showcased the gritty, medieval atmosphere and jousting sequences that define this Game of Thrones spin-off.
The confirmation came after the network had previously only indicated a “January 2026” release window when the poster was unveiled on October 6, 2025, during preparations for New York Comic Con.
| Release Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | January 18, 2026 |
| Release Time (US) | 10 PM ET / 9 PM CT |
| Day | Sunday |
| Streaming Platform (International) | HBO Max |
| Streaming Platform (India) | JioHotstar |
| Number of Episodes | 6 episodes (Season 1) |
| Original Release Plan | Late 2025 |
The series has been in production since 2021, with filming beginning in 2024. The delay from 2025 to early 2026 means that fans will get a double dose of Game of Thrones content in 2026, as House of the Dragon Season 3 is also expected to premiere before summer begins.
Where to Watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in India
For Indian viewers eager to dive back into the world of Westeros, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be available exclusively on JioHotstar starting in January 2026. This follows the same streaming pattern established with House of the Dragon, which has been available on JioHotstar for Indian audiences.
Internationally, the series will stream on Max (formerly known as HBO Max), making it accessible to Game of Thrones fans around the world. The partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery and JioHotstar ensures that Indian viewers won’t have to wait longer than their international counterparts to experience this latest addition to the Game of Thrones franchise.
JioHotstar has become the go-to destination for premium HBO content in India, offering subscribers access to the entire Game of Thrones universe, including the original series, House of the Dragon, and now A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. This makes it an essential subscription for any fan of the franchise in India.
What Is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms About?
Based on George R.R. Martin’s beloved “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas—particularly “The Hedge Knight”—A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms tells the story of two unlikely heroes who wandered Westeros a century before the events that fans witnessed in Game of Thrones. The series is set approximately 100 years before Game of Thrones and about 100 years after House of the Dragon, placing it at a fascinating point in Westeros history.
The story follows Ser Duncan the Tall, nicknamed “Dunk” (played by Peter Claffey), a young, naïve but courageous hedge knight of lowborn background who dreams of becoming a true knight. His companion and squire is a bald young boy known as “Egg” (played by Dexter Sol Ansell), whose true identity as Prince Aegon V Targaryen—a child prince of the Targaryen dynasty—remains a closely guarded secret.
The official logline from HBO reads: “A century before the events of ‘Game of Thrones,’ two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.”
This Game of Thrones spin-off explores an era when the Targaryen dynasty was still firmly in power, ruling from the Iron Throne, and when the legendary dragons—though recently extinct—remained fresh in living memory. It’s a time of relative peace compared to the wars that would later tear Westeros apart, but as any Game of Thrones fan knows, danger and intrigue are never far away in this world.
The Cast and Characters
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms features a talented ensemble cast bringing George R.R. Martin’s characters to life:
Lead Characters:
- Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall / “Dunk” – A hedge knight of humble origins with dreams of honor and glory
- Dexter Sol Ansell as Prince Aegon Targaryen / “Egg” – Dunk’s young squire and secret Targaryen prince (Ansell is known for his role in “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”)
Supporting Cast:
- Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion “Brightflame” Targaryen – Egg’s older brother, known for his cruelty
- Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor “Breakspear” Targaryen – The heir to the Iron Throne, Hand of the King to Daeron II, and Egg’s uncle
- Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen – Another member of the Targaryen dynasty
- Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, also known as the “Laughing Storm” – A formidable knight
- Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle – A puppeteer who becomes important to the story
The series will explore how Dunk and Egg’s journey takes them to a grand tournament where they encounter these various members of the powerful Targaryen dynasty, along with other knights and nobles of Westeros. The tournament setting provides the perfect backdrop for both spectacular action sequences and the political intrigue that Game of Thrones fans have come to expect.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms benefits from an impressive creative team with deep connections to the Game of Thrones universe. The series is written and executive produced by George R.R. Martin himself, alongside Ira Parker, a writer who worked on the first season of House of the Dragon and served as a writer on The Sympathizer.
Ryan Condal, the showrunner and co-creator of House of the Dragon, serves as an executive producer, ensuring continuity and quality across the Game of Thrones franchise. Additional executive producers include Vince Gerardis, Owen Harris, and Sarah Bradshaw.
The directing duties for the six-episode first season are split between two accomplished directors:
- Sarah Adina Smith (known for “Lessons in Chemistry” and “Hanna”) will direct three episodes
- Owen Harris (who also serves as executive producer) will direct the other three episodes
This division of directorial responsibilities ensures a consistent vision while allowing for creative variety across the season. Both directors bring experience in crafting visually stunning, emotionally resonant television that should serve the story well.
A Different Kind of Game of Thrones Story
What makes A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms particularly exciting for fans is that it promises a different flavor of storytelling compared to Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. While those series focused on grand political machinations, wars for succession, and the scheming of powerful houses, this Game of Thrones spin-off takes a more intimate, character-driven approach.
Director Bhuvanesh Arjunan has described the series as a “fantasy film with a twist because of the ‘grounded emotions’ attached to the story.” The focus on Dunk and Egg—two characters far removed from the centers of power despite Egg’s royal lineage—allows for a ground-level view of Westeros that fans haven’t experienced before.
Co-creator Ira Parker told Entertainment Weekly: “All decisions came down to Dunk, trying to channel the type of person he is into every aspect of this show, even the title sequence.” This character-centric approach means that viewers will experience Westeros through the eyes of a humble hedge knight rather than kings and queens, providing a fresh perspective on the beloved world.
The series also features a significant change from previous Game of Thrones shows: it will not use the iconic theme music composed by Ramin Djawadi that has become synonymous with the franchise. While this may disappoint some fans, it signals the creators’ commitment to giving A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms its own distinct identity within the larger franchise.
George R.R. Martin’s Personal Favorite
Interestingly, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms holds special significance for George R.R. Martin himself. The author has publicly stated that the Dunk and Egg stories are his personal favorites among all his works set in the world of Westeros. This passion project has been years in the making, and Martin’s direct involvement as creator and executive producer ensures that the adaptation stays true to his vision.
The “Tales of Dunk and Egg” novellas consist of three published stories: “The Hedge Knight,” “The Sworn Sword,” and “The Mystery Knight.” According to HBO, the success of the first season could lead to additional seasons, with the potential for three seasons total—one for each novella. This long-term planning suggests that if A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms resonates with audiences, we could be looking at several years of new content set in this earlier era of Westeros history.
What This Means for the Game of Thrones Universe
The premiere of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in January 2026 represents a significant expansion of the Game of Thrones television universe. With House of the Dragon having successfully reignited interest in Westeros and its third season also expected in 2026, HBO is building a robust franchise that could sustain multiple series running simultaneously.
This strategy mirrors the approach taken by other major franchises like Star Wars and Marvel, where interconnected but distinct stories keep audiences engaged with the broader universe. For Game of Thrones fans, this means there will always be new content to explore, new corners of Westeros to discover, and new eras of history to experience.
The timing of the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms OTT release date in January 2026 is also strategic, giving viewers a winter premiere that thematically fits with the series’ tagline: “This Winter, Spring is Coming.” The play on the famous “Winter is Coming” motto from Game of Thrones cleverly positions this as a story of hope and new beginnings, contrasting with the darker, more apocalyptic tone of its predecessors.
The Road to January 2026
As fans count down the months until the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms OTT release date, HBO has been gradually building excitement through carefully timed reveals. The first teaser was unveiled in August 2024 as part of HBO’s announcement of upcoming original programming. A “first look” teaser followed in November 2024, giving fans their first glimpse of Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan the Tall.
The official poster released on October 6, 2025, features the tagline “A Tall Tale That Became Legend,” perfectly capturing the essence of Dunk and Egg’s story—how a humble hedge knight and his squire would eventually become legendary figures in Westeros history. The visual style of the poster also sets a distinct tone from previous Game of Thrones shows, emphasizing the series’ unique identity.
As we approach January 2026, fans can expect additional marketing materials, including full trailers, character posters, and behind-the-scenes content that will further illuminate what to expect from this exciting new chapter in the Game of Thrones saga.
Preparing for the Premiere
For Indian fans eager to watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms when it premieres, now is the time to ensure you have access to JioHotstar. The platform offers various subscription plans, and having an active subscription ready for January 2026 will ensure you don’t miss the premiere of this highly anticipated Game of Thrones spin-off.
It’s also worth catching up on or revisiting House of the Dragon if you haven’t already, as understanding the Targaryen dynasty’s history will enrich your appreciation of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. While the series is set 100 years after House of the Dragon, the family dynamics, politics, and traditions of the Targaryens that are established in that show will provide valuable context for understanding the world of Dunk and Egg.
With the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms OTT release date now confirmed for January 2026, the long wait is almost over. Indian fans will soon be able to return to Westeros and experience a new kind of adventure—one told not from the perspective of kings and conquerors, but from that of a simple hedge knight and his mysterious young squire. As the series promises to show, in the world of Game of Thrones, even the humblest of heroes can have the greatest of adventures.
Read More: Zayn Malik Announces ‘Eyes Closed’ Collaboration with BLACKPINK’s Jisoo
FAQs
When is the A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms OTT release date?
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere in January 2026, though the exact date hasn’t been announced yet. HBO confirmed the release window at New York Comic Con in October 2025.
Where can I watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in India?
Indian viewers can watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms exclusively on JioHotstar starting in January 2026. Internationally, it will stream on Max (HBO Max).
How many episodes will A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms have?
The first season of this Game of Thrones spin-off will consist of six episodes, with potential for additional seasons based on the remaining Dunk and Egg novellas.
Is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms set before or after Game of Thrones?
The series is set approximately 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones and about 100 years after House of the Dragon, during the reign of the Targaryen dynasty.
Who are the main characters in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
The series follows Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), a hedge knight, and his squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), who is secretly Prince Aegon V Targaryen.
