George R.R. Martin Likes At Least One Of The Game Of thrones Spinoffs
The Game of Thrones Creator Praises the Upcoming Spin-Off as a Faithful Adaptation
George R.R. Martin has never been shy about voicing his opinions on Game of Thrones adaptations—both good and bad. But when it comes to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the upcoming prequel spin-off, the legendary author seems to have nothing but praise.
Set 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms finds Westeros still under Targaryen rule, though dragons have become little more than a distant memory. The series adapts The Hedge Knight, the first of Martin’s three Dunk and Egg novellas, and follows the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk) and his unlikely squire, a bald young boy named Egg—who happens to be Aegon V Targaryen, the future king. Unlike Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, this series is expected to have a lighter tone, though it won’t shy away from the political intrigue and treachery that define the Game of Thrones universe.
While an exact release date is still unknown, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set to arrive in late 2025. And if Martin’s latest comments are anything to go by, fans have a lot to look forward to.
George R.R. Martin Loves What He’s Seen So Far
On his Not a Blog website—his preferred platform for sharing updates—Martin posted his thoughts on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms in a lengthy update titled “Dunk, Egg, and a Few Random Mutterings.” His verdict? Overwhelmingly positive.
"I've seen all six episodes now (the last two in rough cuts, admittedly), and I loved them," Martin wrote. "Dunk and Egg have always been favorites of mine, and the actors we found to portray them are just incredible... it’s as faithful an adaptation as a reasonable man could hope for (and you all know how incredibly reasonable I am on that particular subject).”
That last line is classic Martin. He has never hesitated to criticize Game of Thrones adaptations when he feels they stray too far from his vision—his vocal disapproval of Game of Thrones Season 8 and his reservations about House of the Dragon Season 2 are well-documented. So, for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to earn such strong praise is a major vote of confidence.
A Different Kind of Game of Thrones Story
Martin also cautioned fans not to expect the same large-scale action seen in previous Game of Thrones adaptations.
"Viewers who are looking for action, and more action, and only action... well, this one may not satisfy you," he warned. "There’s a huge fight scene here, as exciting as anyone could ask for, but there are no dragons this time around, no huge battles, no White Walkers… this is a character piece, and its focus is on duty and honor, on chivalry and all it means."
While some fans might miss the spectacle of dragon battles and massive wars, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms seems to be leaning into what made the early seasons of Game of Thrones so captivating: strong characters, political maneuvering, and deep moral dilemmas. Given that many of the series’ most acclaimed episodes had little to do with magic and everything to do with character drama, this shift in focus could work in the show’s favor.
Can A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Recapture the Magic?
The Game of Thrones franchise has had its ups and downs. The original show’s later seasons left a sour taste for many, and while House of the Dragon started strong, its second season has received mixed reactions. That could make fans hesitant about yet another spin-off.
However, if history is any indication, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has all the right ingredients to succeed. Both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon delivered some of their best storytelling in their first seasons, and if Martin’s praise is anything to go by, this new series could continue that trend.
With its focus on a more intimate story, compelling characters, and Martin’s enthusiastic endorsement, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is shaping up to be a worthy addition to the Game of Thrones universe. Fans will just have to wait until late 2025 to see if it lives up to the hype.