New Game of Thrones Spinoff Takes Different Path This January
The upcoming HBO series shifts focus from scheming nobles to a humble hedge knight and his mysterious squire, bringing fresh perspective to Westeros with comedy and heart.
The Game of Thrones universe gets a major shift in direction with its latest spinoff. This time around, viewers won't see power-hungry nobles or backstabbing aristocrats running the show. Instead, a simple hedge knight named Dunk becomes the main character, bringing something completely different to the table.
A Gentler Approach to Westeros
Peter Claffey, who plays Dunk, found the character's kind nature actually made his job easier rather than harder. "It made it easier," Claffey explained during a recent interview. "It's something to react off when you have somebody that's gentle with animals and has a gentle nature about them and a very unassuming, sort of nervous energy, when you see so many crazy, awful things occurring. I think the violence aspect was something to react off."
The actor discovered that Dunk's mild personality creates unexpected moments of humor. "It draws a lot of comedy out as well, when you have these awkward situations where you're seeing crazy things happening, and you have a very tame, mild-mannered character portrayed, it allows a lot of opportunities to see the humorous side of things and situations," he added. "So I thought it was more of a help, really, than a hindrance."
The Story Behind the Knight
Set nine decades before the original series events, the show follows Dunk after his master dies, leaving him without direction. He decides to try his luck at a tournament, hoping to make some money and find his path forward.
Things get interesting when Dunk meets a stable boy called Egg, played by Dexter Sol Ansell. This mysterious young man becomes Dunk's squire, though there's clearly more to him than meets the eye. Their partnership forms the heart of the series.
When and Where to Watch
HBO and HBO Max will start streaming the series on January 18. International viewers can catch it on Sky Atlantic and NOW starting January 19. The show promises to bring a fresh take on the beloved fantasy world that captivated millions of fans worldwide.