A Smaller Story in a Massive World: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Brings Westeros Down to Earth

Every time there's a new Game of Thrones show, I rejoice because I think it has the best production value on TV. They spend so much money making these shows look amazing, and that helps when I want to disappear in Westeros.

With HBO’s newest series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, we are invited to see the Seven Kingdoms from the ground up.

The show is based on George R.R. Martin’s beloved Dunk and Egg novellas. This new chapter takes place roughly 90 to 100 years after the events of House of the Dragon and a century before the start of Game of Thrones. It is a time when dragons have passed into memory, and the realm is, for the moment, at peace.

They just released an amazing behind-the-scenes look at how they make the magic.

Let's dive in.

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A Tale of Two Characters

While other iterations of Game of Thrones are about aristocracy and what it's like to rule, this is a show about the subjects of a kingdom and their adventures.

The show's creators emphasize that while Game of Thrones focused on kings and queens, this series focuses on the "grungier" reality of life in Westeros.

At its heart, the series is a "sweet but gritty" story centered on two unlikely companions who are just guys trying to survive.

• Sir Duncan the Tall (Dunk): A newly knighted "hedge knight" who comes from nothing and is struggling to find his way to a tournament at Ashford Meadow.
• Egg: A young, mysterious boy who becomes Dunk's squire.

Casting the Legend

Finding the right actors to portray such iconic characters was the production's biggest challenge. I can't imagine what it's like to get actors to hold up the weight of being a part of one of the most popular franchises of all time.

• Peter Claffey as Dunk: An ex-professional rugby player, Claffey brings an "incredibly charming" energy and a team-first mentality to the role. He even admitted to being so nervous during the audition process that he "puked everywhere" in the production office—a vulnerability the directors felt perfectly captured Dunk's own anxiety.
• Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg: Dexter charmed the casting team with his personality (and his opinions on McDonald’s pickles). Per George R.R. Martin’s strict "no bald caps" rule, Dexter fully committed to the role by shaving his head for real.

Building a Practical Westeros

This is why these shows tand out to me, even in a world with a lot of effects, they are still committed to having practical parts to enhance the reality.

One of the most exciting aspects for fans is the show’s commitment to practical effects. They filmed in Belfast, the home of the original Thrones crew. And the production built a massive 360-degree set for Ashford Meadow in order to make the tournament fields feel real.

A massive timber bridge was built across a salmon river without any legs touching the water to protect the environment.

And the tournament grounds feature incredible, glowing tents for the great houses, including the Fossaways, Tyrells, Lannisters, and a massive Baratheon tent adorned with giant stag heads.

A Different Kind of Tone

Look, this is a series that starts with a poop joke, so it was always going to be a little different than the stories we've seen in this world.

The series maintains the "grit and earthiness" of its predecessors, but it introduces a sense of humor and absurdity that is kind of wild. The first episode concludes with Dunk and Egg staring up at a shooting star, and it's very sweet. These are two people who are small in standing but might matter.

Summing It All Up

This show offers a fresh, honest POV into the world of Westeros and a world that's really fun to check out from a different side.

Whether you’re a die-hard scholar of George R.R. Martin’s lore or a newcomer, this "hedge knight's tale" is looking like a journey worth taking.

Let me know what you think in the comments.