HBO has announced the casting of actors for the lead roles in its upcoming Game of Thrones prequel series, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight. Peter Claffey, known for his role in Vikings: Valhalla, will portray the young, courageous knight Ser Duncan the Tall, while Dexter Sol Ansell, who recently starred as Young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, will play his diminutive squire, Egg.
The series is set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, during a time when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon remains fresh. The story follows the adventures of the unlikely duo as they navigate great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits in the world of Westeros.
Written and executive produced by George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker, the project is also executive produced by Ryan Condal, Vince Gerardis, Owen Harris, and Sarah Bradshaw. Unlike the previous Game of Thrones series, Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight offers a more intimate and lighter tone, focusing on the unique friendship between Ser Duncan and Egg.
The Hedge Knight is part of HBO's efforts to expand its post-Game of Thrones content, following the success of the series House of the Dragon. The show is expected to air in 2025, following the return of Dragon, which garnered 29 million viewers per episode.
