The universe of Westeros continues to grow. With the success of the 2019 conclusion to the epic fantasy series, Game of Thrones, and the record-breaking numbers of the spinoff, House of the Dragon, which gives a glimpse into the life and times of the incestuous Targaryen dynasty, HBO is expanding the universe further.
Recently, there are discussions about another Game of Thrones prequel in the making, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight.
While House of the Dragon brought us to a time when dragons dominated the skies and the Targaryens were at the height of their power, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will take fans to a period between the reign of dragons and the beginning of the original Game of Thrones series. It is an era where dragons are no longer alive, but their memories are fresh in the minds of the denizens of Westeros.
HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel, ‘A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS: THE HEDGE KNIGHT’ has possibly begun casting.
The new upcoming HBO television series’ casting call as follows:
BOY – aged 9-10
Physically small, the character is wise beyond his years, confident and witty. He has… pic.twitter.com/iqCgxib7bh— westerosies (@westerosies) October 20, 2023
The upcoming show is based on the Dunk and Egg novellas by George R.R. Martin. These tales chronicle the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, affectionately known as Dunk, an enormous knight, simple yet kind-hearted, and his squire, Egg, who is secretly Aegon V Targaryen, the future King of Westeros and younger brother of Maester Aemon. The stories are inherently lighter in their tone compared to their more intense counterparts, providing an opportunity for fans to enjoy a fresh narrative flavor within the Game of Thrones universe.
Set during a time when the Targaryen dynasty was still firmly in power and the tales of the last dragon had not faded, the series will focus on the great destinies, formidable adversaries, and thrilling escapades of this unlikely duo. One of the most anticipated aspects of the first season is its depiction of how Dunk and Egg initially crossed paths during a tournament at Ashford Meadow.
After the end of the Hollywood writers’ strike, which affected numerous projects, including this anticipated spinoff, the gears of production are now turning once more. Information has recently surfaced, courtesy of a casting call by the UK-based casting director, Lucy Bevan, hinting that casting for the new series has started. While the casting call didn’t explicitly mention the show by name, the character descriptions unmistakably align with our two heroes:
- A boy, aged 9-10, physically small but with wisdom beyond his years, showcasing confidence and wit. He should possess a neutral English accent, be white with blue/green eyes, and pale skin, and must be under 4’6″ by March 2024.
- A soldier, aged between 18-25, who is notably tall and possesses great physical strength. He should be perceptive, thoughtful, and have a humble demeanor. The height requirement is at least 6’4″.
Intriguingly, the casting also indicates that filming will start next year 2024, which is sooner than most expected. This is good news as this means that the official release date likely isn’t going to be any later than 2026 if filming is finished by the end of the year.
While the Hollywood actors strike remains a concern for many American projects, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a project that primarily casts British talent, potentially allowing the production to circumvent any restrictions imposed by the strike.
Adding to the enthusiasm surrounding this series is the involvement of esteemed figures from the realm of Westeros. A divisive figure for his otherworldly knack for procrastination, George R.R. Martin will lend his writing talents to the spin-off, marking his return to TV writing after his last contribution during Game of Thrones Season 4, notably remembered for the shocking Purple Wedding. The showrunner for this venture is Ira Parker, credited with penning fourth episode of the first season of House of the Dragon, King of the Narrow Sea. Furthermore, Ryan Condal, the showrunner for House of the Dragon, is also on board as one of its producers.
George R.R. Martin has previously intimated that the inaugural season might consist of six episodes, adapting the first novella, The Hedge Knight. Given there are two more published novellas, The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight, fans can look forward to seeing at least three engaging seasons, spread presumably through the latter half of the current decade.
While Westeros enthusiasts await the next chapter of this expansive universe, HBO is also gearing up for the release of House of the Dragon Season 2 in 2024, ensuring that the world of dragons, knights, and intrigue remains alive and captivating.
