A clip of 11-year-old Dexter Sol Ansell learning he had been cast in the role of Aegon Targaryen, nicknamed “Egg,” in the HBO series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has gone viral, drawing attention to the prequel series and the young actor’s reaction. The video, initially a casting audition recording, has resonated with fans of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire franchise, including the original Game of Thrones series.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which premiered on January 18, 2026, is based on Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, specifically beginning with The Hedge Knight. The series stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan “Dunk” the Tall and Ansell as his squire, Egg. It serves as a prequel to Game of Thrones and the third television series within Martin’s broader franchise.
The series is created by Ira Parker and George R.R. Martin, with Parker serving as showrunner. Production companies involved include Friendly Wolf Pictures, GRRM HBO Entertainment, and HBO. Filming took place in the United Kingdom. The first season consists of four episodes, each running between 31 and 42 minutes in length.
Even as Ansell’s reaction to receiving the role has been widely celebrated as wholesome, his co-star Peter Claffey reportedly experienced a different emotional response, describing himself as “terrified” upon learning he had been cast as Dunk.
Ahead of the first season’s premiere in November 2025, HBO renewed A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms for a second season. The second season is expected to be released in 2027 and will be based on the novella The Sworn Sword.
