'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Boss Praises His George R.R. Martin Partnership Amid 'House of the Dragon' Feud

1 week ago 20

Peter Claffey as Dunk sitting with Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Published Jan 30, 2026, 7:05 PM EST

Erielle Sudario is a Collider News and Feature Author from Australia and has worked in the journalism industry since 2018. She has a passion for entertainment and pop culture news and has interviewed YouTubers, voice actors, film directors, and musicians throughout her career. When she's not writing, you can see Erielle building keyboards, reading a good book, playing video games, and creating content on social media.

George R R. Martin has been honest about his feelings about the adaptations of Game of Thrones. From the main series to the prequel show, House of the Dragon, the author has made it clear that there were some creative differences behind the scenes, especially in Season 2. So, with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, showrunner Ira Parker claimed that one of the things he wanted to achieve was forming a good partnership with Martin to ensure this latest Game of Thrones spin-off "makes him happy."

In an interview with Esquire, Parker was asked about the praise A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms received from Martin, while also noting the harsh words the author had for other Game of Thrones showrunners. According to Parker, his goal was to ensure that he and Martin have a "good working relationship," and knowing that Martin is currently enjoying the TV adaptation is a good sign.

"In my early conversations with him, it was clear how close he was to this material, and how much he loves the stories and these characters. I made it my mission to make him happy this season. So, the fact that that is the case? Mission successful. I hope everyone else likes it too. But yes, this one was written for him. It's been a good working relationship, and he's been very helpful through this process. So, I'm glad he likes it."

While Martin praised the show, the author had some qualms about the latest Game of Thrones series. Back when episode 1 first came out, the author criticized the first scene in the show, where the Game of Thrones theme plays, only to be immediately cut with Dunk (Peter Claffey) pooping behind a tree. According to Martin, the scene in question caught him by surprise. But at the same time, the two are on the same page when it comes to how much they like these new characters, as Season 2 is currently in development.

What's 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' About?

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the latest Game of Thrones TV show that takes place between House of the Dragon and the main series. Based on The Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, it follows Ser Duncan the Tall (aka Dunk), a hedge knight who goes to Ashfield to participate in a tourney. Along the way, he meets Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), a young boy who persuades Dunk let him be his squire. Season 1 is based on the first Tale of Dunk and Egg novella, The Hedge Knight, which introduces a different kind of knight: one who isn't sworn to anyone. It's not the fanciest, and he's often looked down on, but that doesn't stop Dunk from wanting him to earn others' respect. As of writing, the first two episodes have been released, and the show currently has a 95% critics' score and a 64% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is available to stream on HBO Max, with new episodes coming out every Sunday. Follow Collider to stay up to date with the latest updates.