New Series ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Features Praise from George R.R. Martin

The upcoming series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is generating buzz as it prepares to debut on January 19, 2026. This new addition to the Game of Thrones franchise is based on George R.R. Martin‘s novellas, known as The Tales of Dunk and Egg, which chronicle the adventures of the knight Ser Duncan the Tall, referred to as Dunk, and his squire Egg.

In the series, Dunk is portrayed by Peter Claffey, while young actor Dexter Sol Ansell takes on the role of Egg. Ansell recently shared insights into his experience filming a particular scene that earned him high praise from Martin himself. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, he recounted a dramatic moment during a tug-of-war scene that proved to be both challenging and rewarding.

“I was dangling off this rope, literally for my life, because I really didn’t want to fall in the mud,” Ansell explained. He described how despite the instructions from the stunt coordinator, the actors were engrossed in the game. “Our side was losing, so I made the decision to put my feet onto the rope and dangle on for dear life. It was really good, and then we won the tug-of-war,” he added.

The scene culminated in a moment where Dunk tossed Egg into the air, leading to a humorous mishap. “I smashed my eye into his nose,” Ansell recalled with a laugh. “The funny thing is, they used that take but cut off when I went high.” Following the scene, Ansell was approached by his mother, who informed him that Martin was present on set.

Upon meeting the acclaimed author, Ansell received high praise: “Wow, you’re so good, and you look and act like you’ve really just jumped out of the books,” Martin told him. The young actor expressed his excitement about receiving such commendation from the creator of his character.

Ansell described his character as “brave, cheeky, and mysterious,” mentioning that Egg harbors secrets even he does not fully understand. At just 11 years old, Ansell is too young to have watched the original Game of Thrones series but expressed relief that he hasn’t seen it. He noted that his character would have no knowledge of the events depicted in the later series, as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set around a century earlier.

The new series features a talented cast alongside Ansell and Claffey, including Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Tanzyn Crawford, Daniel Ings, Sam Spruell, Ross Anderson, and Edward Ashley. As anticipation builds for the premiere, fans are eager to see how this latest installment will expand the rich tapestry of the Game of Thrones universe.

Viewers can catch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on Sky and NOW starting on January 19, 2026. For those looking to stay updated, the Radio Times has a watchlist feature available through its app, offering daily TV recommendations and more.