The upcoming series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, is generating excitement as it prepares to debut on January 19, 2026. Based on George R.R. Martin’s novellas known as The Tales of Dunk and Egg, the show features the adventures of knight Ser Duncan the Tall, known as Dunk, and his squire Egg. The series stars Peter Claffey as Dunk and the young actor Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg.
In an exclusive interview with RadioTimes.com, Ansell discussed a particularly intense scene that earned him high praise from Martin himself. The scene involved a dramatic tug-of-war, which turned into a real challenge during filming. Ansell recounted, “I was dangling off this rope, I was holding, literally for my life, ’cause I really didn’t want to fall in the mud.”
Amid the chaos of filming, the stunt coordinator’s instructions were overlooked as the cast became caught up in the spirit of the game. Ansell recalled that he instinctively put his feet on the rope to stay in the game, leading to a victorious outcome. “We won the tug-of-war, so Dunk threw me up in the air,” he explained, adding with a laugh, “And then I smashed my eye into his nose.” This particular take made it into the final cut, though it was edited just before the moment of impact.
The interaction with Martin left a lasting impression on Ansell. After the scene wrapped, his mother pointed out that the acclaimed author was present. “He said, ‘Wow, you’re so good, and you look and you act like you’ve really just jumped out of the books,'” Ansell recalled, expressing his excitement at receiving such recognition from the series’ creator.
Ansell described his character as “brave, cheeky, [and] mysterious,” emphasizing that Egg holds secrets that even he, at just 11 years of age, does not fully understand. Given that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set about a century before the events of Game of Thrones, Ansell noted he is not allowed to watch the original series. “I’m glad I haven’t seen it,” he said, acknowledging that his character would be unaware of those later events.
The cast also includes fellow actors Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Tanzyn Crawford, Daniel Ings, Sam Spruell, Ross Anderson, and Edward Ashley. The series promises to deliver the same rich storytelling that fans have come to love from the world of Westeros.
As anticipation builds for the premiere, viewers can look forward to the immersive experience of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which will air on Sky TV and NOW. Fans can find additional information about signing up for Sky TV and add the series to their watchlists through the Radio Times: What to Watch app. For those seeking other entertainment options, the Radio Times offers a comprehensive TV Guide and dedicated Fantasy hub, along with a podcast for reviews and recommendations.
