“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: A Charming and Cheeky Return to Westeros After Nearly a Decade”

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has made its debut with a strong Rotten Tomatoes score, with critics suggesting that this Game of Thrones spin-off “could be the best in the franchise.”

As the premiere approaches on Sunday, January 18, early viewers shared their thoughts on January 13, leading to an impressive 83% fresh rating on the review aggregator. For context, the first season of Game of Thrones and the opening of the previous spin-off, House of the Dragon, both achieved 90% ratings.

Drawing from George R. R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, the series follows the titular knight (Peter Claffey) and his young squire, Aeron Targaryen (Dexter Sol Ansell), as they forge an unexpected friendship and navigate a series of perilous adventures.

In our review, we awarded the show four stars, highlighting its “narrower scope,” strong lead performances, and its skillful balance between “dramatic” and “heartfelt” moments.

“Energizing the franchise, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms keeps its focus on the often overlooked smallfolk, unconventional lords, humble lives, and the occasionally grim realities faced by those outside the nobility,” noted a critic.

“This show proves that fantasy television can still deliver surprises, and in this genre, bigger isn’t always better,” another reviewer remarked, while another pointed out that both Game of Thrones and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms represent two sides of the same coin. The former explored the darkness within humanity, while the latter acknowledges that darkness exists but chooses to steer its narrative in a different direction.

“It’s a story that doesn’t rely on dragon fire for excitement; it thrives on human heart, soul, and heroism,” echoed another critic.

In other reviews, one writer claimed it’s the “best visit to Westeros in nearly a decade,” a bold assertion considering the last three seasons of Game of Thrones and two seasons of House of the Dragon released during that time.

However, not all feedback was positive. One critic rated it just two out of five stars, arguing that it only begins to feel like Game of Thrones in its final moments, feeling otherwise disconnected and tonally strange.

Another reviewer described it as “airy and fun” but ultimately “torturous and drab,” criticizing it as a lackluster attempt to extend the franchise without delivering anything particularly fresh or exciting.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres on HBO on January 18 in the US, followed by its release on Sky Atlantic/NOW the next day.