HBO’s next trip back to Westeros could be a long one. The creative team behind A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is already looking far beyond its opening chapter, thanks to a surprising amount of story material shared directly by George R.R. Martin.
According to showrunner Ira Parker, the author has outlined enough future tales to potentially carry Dunk and Egg across multiple seasons, following them from their earliest adventures through the later stages of their lives.
Parker revealed in a recent interview that Martin hasn’t just been focused on the familiar novellas fans already know. He’s quietly mapped out a much bigger roadmap for the characters, one that could keep the series going for a very long time if audiences stick around.
“He has shared with me about 10 to 12 more little outlines for books, for novellas, taking Dunk and Egg all the way through their life,” Parker told The National.
For now, the show is taking a careful approach. The immediate priority is making sure the first story lands the way it should, both creatively and with fans who still hold Game of Thrones close to their hearts.
“Right now, we’re focused on one, and we’ll see how the world responds to that. We’re making two at the moment,” he continued “Hopefully, everybody likes it and we get to keep doing these. Certainly, I love doing it. I love writing in this world, and it’s a wonderful story. So, I hope we get to make as many of these as possible.”
As of 2010, Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg consists of three novellas: The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight. The first of those stories, an 85-page fan favorite, forms the backbone of season one of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
While there’s always skepticism about whether Martin will ever write those additional 10 to 12 novellas himself, the outlines alone give the series a rare advantage. The endgame is already sketched out, at least in broad strokes.
The series is set 90 years before Game of Thrones and trades political sprawl for a more grounded and playful character-driven story.
It follows a struggling hedge knight named Dunk, played by Peter Claffey, also known as Ser Duncan the Tall, and his sharp, secretive young squire Egg, portrayed by Dexter Sol Ansell. Together, they navigate tourneys, rival knights, and the dangerous undercurrents of Westeros while trying to survive on skill, instinct, and stubborn loyalty.
That smaller scale is part of the appeal. Instead of warring houses and continent-shaking betrayals, the focus stays locked on two characters building their reputations one decision at a time. If Martin’s outlines ever fully make it to screen, viewers could end up watching Dunk and Egg grow, change, and age in a way the franchise hasn’t attempted before.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres January 18 on HBO.
