The newest 'Game of Thrones' spin-off show is a deep disappointment
- - The newest 'Game of Thrones' spin-off show is a deep disappointment
Kelly Lawler, USA TODAYJanuary 14, 2026 at 3:30 AM
0
Peter Claffey as Dunk and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."
"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is a gross miscalculation on the part of HBO. Emphasis on "gross."
The newest spinoff of the premium network's once-juggernaut "Game of Thrones," "Knight" has been advertised as the kinder, gentler "Thrones." Forget the dragons, war, incest and epic betrayal of the first spinoff, "House of the Dragon," this show has nothing to do with the wars of wannabe kings and queens. This one is about a regular old guy, a hedge knight in the plebeian population of Westeros, just trying to get by in a world that isn't kind to the common and poor.
Based on the "Tales of Dunk and Egg" novellas by "Thrones" author George R.R. Martin, the series makes a lot of sense on paper as a new point of entry into this medieval fantasy universe. On the basest level, a series without computer-generated imagery dragons and major battles to film is far cheaper than "Dragon" or the original saga. But since it's about a knight, there is still plenty of opportunity for blood, sweat and sex, just with small-time jousts instead of big-time war and conspiracy. Set about 90 years before "Thrones," there are plenty of opportunities for name-dropping of Baratheons, Lannisters and Targaryens. It adds up to something that's supposed to be "Thrones"-lite.
Peter Claffey as Dunk and Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel 'The Laughing Storm' Baratheon in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."
Supposed to be, however, is the operative term here. HBO's "Knight" (Sundays, 10 ET/PT, ★½ out of four) might have been airy and fun but is instead torturous and drab, a pointless exercise in franchise-extension that scratches none of the original itches nor creates anything particularly exciting and new. With an emphasis on disgust and shock over, you know, storytelling or interesting characters, it takes less than five minutes to reference rape and show graphic projectile defecation (seriously), but even after six entire episodes, there is little else of note. It's not funny, nor is it gripping or thrilling. It's as halfhearted and listless as its main character.
More: HBO will have 'Game of Thrones' spinoffs on the air at least through 2028
That protagonist would be Ser Duncan the Tall, more commonly called Dunk (Peter Claffey). Everything the show really explains about him is right there in the title: He's tall and he's a knight. He's also seemingly the only honorable person in Westeros, a problem for the poor gentle giant as he tries to make his way as a hedge knight after the death of his old hedge knight master (a hedge knight defined as a knight without much wealth, acclaim, or a regular job). His big plan is to enter a tournament, win acclaim and prizes, and get drafted by some lord into service. He tries to get into the tournament by ... asking nicely and pouting when all the powerful people in this notably cruel country are mean to him, and by recruiting a weird bald kid called Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) as his own squire.
If creator Ira Parker (in conjunction with Martin himself) were going for a more relaxed version of the "Thrones" universe, they over-succeeded − "Knight" is quite often boring. The series attempts for shock and schlock − its own version of explicit sex and disturbing violence of both "Thrones" and "Dragon" − with some truly disgusting sequences of bodily fluids. In addition to the aforementioned excrement imagery, there are gratuitous shots of urination and full frontal male nudity with genitalia so outrageously large that one can only hope that it was a prosthetic for the health of the actor involved. It is unpleasant, to say the least.
Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XxGyEKUZwybeRQ4jQsNUMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c61b50aaf36fdc3170882d7ad0b85c69 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption="
Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)
">Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XxGyEKUZwybeRQ4jQsNUMQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c61b50aaf36fdc3170882d7ad0b85c69 class=caas-img> -
"The Gold" (PBS)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"The Gold" (PBS)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FWtQ8_yaoVZH9IH9HVSthA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c32554b523c5e7bdf25ea5b63a66ad1 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"The Gold" (PBS)
"> -
"The Gold" (PBS)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FWtQ8_yaoVZH9IH9HVSthA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c32554b523c5e7bdf25ea5b63a66ad1 class=caas-img> -
"High Potential" (ABC)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"High Potential" (ABC)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TCUEItQXIc6eNhL.2LLEGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97c53aeaebc25f16ed13adf0fe8c4f8f class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"High Potential" (ABC)
"> -
"High Potential" (ABC)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TCUEItQXIc6eNhL.2LLEGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97c53aeaebc25f16ed13adf0fe8c4f8f class=caas-img> -
"IT: Welcome to Derry" (HBO)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"IT: Welcome to Derry" (HBO)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0x1OAMwgJboFlRC0sF4Vmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a5eecbe483857597b7d043f8134d7dac class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"IT: Welcome to Derry" (HBO)
"> -
"IT: Welcome to Derry" (HBO)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/0x1OAMwgJboFlRC0sF4Vmw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a5eecbe483857597b7d043f8134d7dac class=caas-img> -
"The White Lotus" (HBO)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"The White Lotus" (HBO)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Xamq87Q44tUyROS1bYc4Rg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/90f677276afa84305c9a7f5a913f86c0 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"The White Lotus" (HBO)
"> -
"The White Lotus" (HBO)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Xamq87Q44tUyROS1bYc4Rg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/90f677276afa84305c9a7f5a913f86c0 class=caas-img> -
"Sirens" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Sirens" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lHhD9i0xl3wpfkPiy9ilMg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e8c7a9995b129fa346090119ffabb87 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Sirens" (Netflix)
"> -
"Sirens" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/lHhD9i0xl3wpfkPiy9ilMg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9e8c7a9995b129fa346090119ffabb87 class=caas-img> -
"Severance" (Apple TV)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Severance" (Apple TV)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MswoW24xpnL0.RiAZT2Gpw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0755ba0bddf4e77787bf63af2d06a530 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Severance" (Apple TV)
"> -
"Severance" (Apple TV)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/MswoW24xpnL0.RiAZT2Gpw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0755ba0bddf4e77787bf63af2d06a530 class=caas-img> -
"Matlock" (CBS)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Matlock" (CBS)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AxpVAUYaWjTDrOWQzaBdzQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/40f952743badf41faac5ec8a48e96acb class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Matlock" (CBS)
"> -
"Matlock" (CBS)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/AxpVAUYaWjTDrOWQzaBdzQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/40f952743badf41faac5ec8a48e96acb class=caas-img> -
"Apple Cider Vinegar" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Apple Cider Vinegar" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KwQaSUqXD5JjGUZLVSOOxA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8fbd9116493fbd6ce9df776724415b63 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Apple Cider Vinegar" (Netflix)
"> -
"Apple Cider Vinegar" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/KwQaSUqXD5JjGUZLVSOOxA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8fbd9116493fbd6ce9df776724415b63 class=caas-img> -
"Overcompensating" (Prime Video)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Overcompensating" (Prime Video)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/J.u5MJOif66FiJofKNJ0sg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3ae78463f7a3af220617883111417873 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Overcompensating" (Prime Video)
"> -
"Overcompensating" (Prime Video)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/J.u5MJOif66FiJofKNJ0sg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3ae78463f7a3af220617883111417873 class=caas-img> -
"Task" (HBO)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Task" (HBO)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5rnk7LLwniNYg6m9hZ_QAw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/045b158afe7fa773051dc35ccc08c7ab class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Task" (HBO)
"> -
"Task" (HBO)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5rnk7LLwniNYg6m9hZ_QAw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/045b158afe7fa773051dc35ccc08c7ab class=caas-img> -
"North of North" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"North of North" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/R8rNQr2ixHBqrHup.MWbiQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/daa4d552e0f79ea483f8da364f3fb86f class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"North of North" (Netflix)
"> -
"North of North" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/R8rNQr2ixHBqrHup.MWbiQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/daa4d552e0f79ea483f8da364f3fb86f class=caas-img> -
"Taskmaster" (YouTube)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Taskmaster" (YouTube)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xBMdoeZVe3aIeqyecRiS3g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/481fdcaf52aad6be336cb8185b6ce54e class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Taskmaster" (YouTube)
"> -
"Taskmaster" (YouTube)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xBMdoeZVe3aIeqyecRiS3g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02OTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/481fdcaf52aad6be336cb8185b6ce54e class=caas-img> -
"Boots" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Boots" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nKBw1w4DFp1sS2u2EzNFRg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5b90ba315c2ecd6cfdf27a5229948045 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Boots" (Netflix)
"> -
"Boots" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nKBw1w4DFp1sS2u2EzNFRg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5b90ba315c2ecd6cfdf27a5229948045 class=caas-img> -
"Death by Lightning" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Death by Lightning" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ts_kTuiBOfnyj6CpiYrcgw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4d6b33b7daf9b027aab493f8a5e4d019 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Death by Lightning" (Netflix)
"> -
"Death by Lightning" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ts_kTuiBOfnyj6CpiYrcgw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4d6b33b7daf9b027aab493f8a5e4d019 class=caas-img> -
"The American Revolution" (PBS)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"The American Revolution" (PBS)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Gs6spEOEtCvkigKYuXj48A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/01f730a785d6d5772a883899c6039cd1 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"The American Revolution" (PBS)
"> -
"The American Revolution" (PBS)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Gs6spEOEtCvkigKYuXj48A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/01f730a785d6d5772a883899c6039cd1 class=caas-img> -
"Adolescence" (Netflix)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Adolescence" (Netflix)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bk3BvlEBjciADlc7vnZs7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9a21720c000a97dab0e721049165b892 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Adolescence" (Netflix)
"> -
"Adolescence" (Netflix)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/bk3BvlEBjciADlc7vnZs7A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD02MjE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9a21720c000a97dab0e721049165b892 class=caas-img> -
"Andor" (Disney+)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"Andor" (Disney+)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ArZ6AeX.rrh5Nl_8R38.4A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01MjA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c7e67a765516cdb936e9e156edac4f65 class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"Andor" (Disney+)
"> -
"Andor" (Disney+)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ArZ6AeX.rrh5Nl_8R38.4A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD01MjA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c7e67a765516cdb936e9e156edac4f65 class=caas-img> -
"The Pitt" (HBO Max)
" style=padding-bottom:56%> -
"The Pitt" (HBO Max)
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6uckj13BKr83Yc9oGJGbWQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/117496dbc736128a830c19b3ccc2f3bd class=caas-img data-headline="The 20 best TV shows of 2025" data-caption=" -
"The Pitt" (HBO Max)
"> -
"The Pitt" (HBO Max)
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6uckj13BKr83Yc9oGJGbWQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/117496dbc736128a830c19b3ccc2f3bd class=caas-img>
1 / 19The 20 best TV shows of 2025
Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)
Based on a series of such short novellas, "Knight" has a shallowness to its storytelling that was perhaps hard to avoid given its source material. The first season takes place mostly over the course of a few days, a stark departure from the months and years that span "Thrones" and "Dragon." If Parker and Martin were attempting to show that the lives of the "smallfolk" of Westeros are as fascinating as those of the lords and ladies, they failed miserably. Dunk is a hollow shell of a character and Egg is all the twee, precocious tropes of TV kids audiences hate. The surrounding supporting characters are hardly worth mentioning and all are only skin-deep: A drunken Baratheon lord (Daniel Ings) who likes Dunk because he's tall; a pretty puppeteer (Tanzyn Crawford) on whom Dunk has a crush. They flit in and out of the episodes without changing much of the story.
Two spinoffs into the post-"Thrones" era, all HBO has proven so far is that the original series was a singular phenomenon, not the start of a trend. One need only look at the decreased viewership for "Dragon" or the quick cancellation of similar high fantasy drama "The Wheel of Time" on Prime Video, or the way that streamer's uber-expensive "Lord of the Rings" adaptation debuted without making even a whiff of cultural impact.
Peter Claffey and Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle in "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms."
It's more important, it turns out, to create a good story than to just slap a familiar franchise, genre, or label on a TV show. And with each subsequent spinoff, reboot and revival Hollywood churns out, that becomes more and more clear.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' is a 'Game of Thrones' flop – Review
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
