House of the Dragon is all the craze right now for those who have religiously watched the eight seasons of Game of Thrones. In fact, there are many who have started watching the spin-off without having seen a single episode of the O.G. series. But now, it looks like the Emma D’Arcy-starrer might soon be getting some serious competition.
Game of Thrones is coming out with yet another spin-off series titled A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Production has already begun and fans got the first look into the show which can give them a clue on what they should be expecting. While everything looks so good so far, it may never be enough to undo what Game of Thrones did in its final season.
Game of Thrones Gets Another Spin-Off
The production of HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has started in Belfast, Ireland. The spin-off is based on George R.R. Martin’s novel, The Hedge Knight, which is the first of three in the Dunk and Egg novellas. The show will follow the exploits of Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg.
The story is set about 72 years after the events of House of the Dragon and 100 years before Game of Thrones. According to the logline (via Deadline),
A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg.
Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.
As for the cast, five actors have signed in for the prequel series – Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Tanzyn Crawford, Daniel Ings, and Sam Spruell. In the same order, these actors are all set to play the roles of Aerion Targaryen, Baelor Targaryen, Tanselle, Ser Lyonel Baratheon, and Maekar Targaryen.
The first three episodes of season one will be directed by Sarah Adina Smith and the remaining three will be the responsibility of Owen Harris. The spin-off will be released sometime in late 2025.
The Spin-Offs Can’t Fill the Wounds Given by Game of Thrones
So far, House of the Dragon has been performing exceptionally and the show has gotten itself a steadfast and loyal group of supporters who eagerly wait for new episodes to drop. We expect nothing less from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
However, despite the success of HoTD and the possible triumph of the upcoming spin-off, a majority of fans are still upset with how things ended with Game of Thrones.
Fans have had high hopes for a spectacular ending for the fantasy drama but while it was “spectacular,” it was not at all what anyone was expecting, and not in a good way. Whether it was rushed storytelling or plot inconsistencies, fans were left disappointed with how things ended.
One of the biggest reasons behind the last season’s negative reception was Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen whose rapid descent into madness and subsequent destruction of King’s Landing left fans shocked and confused. According to a majority of fans, the shift in Daenerys’ character was too sudden, even though there were hints of her potential ruthlessness throughout the series.
In fact, season 8 is the only season with a Rotten Tomatoes rating lower than 90%. The final season was given a low rating of 55% with the critical consensus stating that it “shortchanges the women of Westeros, sacrificing satisfying character arcs for spectacular set-pieces in its mad dash to the finish line.” The audience rating is even lower at 30%.
Therefore, when the first look of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was revealed, fans had a lot to say:
It's dead in the same way Star Wars is dead.
Sure, it continues, but it doesn't remove the permanent stain.Game of Thrones spinoffs/prequels may be a fun watch, but nothing changes that atrocious ending which will always affect how people view them.
— EldritchTruth (@eldritch_truth9) June 18, 2024
Can they just remake the last two seasons instead?
— BIG DOG (@PuppyFrogg) June 18, 2024
Season 8 should be canon a new season 8 would be good
— D_Hashtag❼ (@FadKizo) June 19, 2024
They’re making everything but a redo for season 8 smh
— #30 (@Amirkhwann) June 19, 2024
How many more spinoffs are they going to make to undo their mistakes for season 8 of GOT???
— Shanghai Sharks scout (@mynameisrome_) June 18, 2024
It looks like it doesn’t matter how well the spin-offs perform, fans will always be upset about the disappointment that was season 8.
Stream House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones on Max.
