The finale of HBO’s “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” briefly sparked confusion among viewers when the closing title card unexpectedly shifted to “A Knight of the Nine Kingdoms.” However, the change proved to be a playful, albeit potentially misinterpreted, moment from showrunner Ira Parker, who confirmed to Variety that the show’s title is not actually changing.
The momentary alteration, appearing at the end of the season one finale, drew comparisons to AMC’s rebranding of “Interview with the Vampire” as “The Vampire Lestat” for its third season, leading some to believe HBO was similarly altering the series based on evolving source material. Parker clarified that the title card was “maybe me getting a little too jokey,” adding, “People may hate it or crucify me for that, but there’s a bit of a lighter touch to these shows. It came from an honest place. It’s all true. It’s nine kingdoms at that point.”
The finale itself saw Dunk, played by Peter Claffey, emerge victorious from a grueling tourney, though haunted by the accidental death of his teammate, Baelor Targaryen (Bertie Carvel), who was fatally struck by his brother Maekar’s (Sam Spruell) mace. The episode concluded with a seemingly offhand moment – Prince Maekar’s frantic query, “Where the f— is he?” – referring to his son, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). Parker admitted this scene, too, was initially intended as a joke, but its reception has prompted a slight course correction for season two.
“The very, very, very end was almost just meant as a joke,” Parker explained, “but people took that quite literally.” He added that he’s “maybe had to deal with it a little bit more in Season 2 than I was planning to.” This suggests the dynamic between Maekar and Egg, and Egg’s potential vulnerability, will be a more prominent storyline in the upcoming season.
Looking ahead, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” will continue to adapt the “Dunk and Egg” novellas by George R.R. Martin. Season two will cover “The Sworn Sword,” while season three will tackle “The Mystery Knight.” Parker also confirmed that the show will maintain the six-episode format established in its first season, with each episode running between 30 and 60 minutes, offering HBO flexibility in pacing.
The series has distinguished itself from its predecessor, “Game of Thrones,” in several key ways. Notably, it forgoes the elaborate opening title sequence common to many prestige television dramas. According to a report from Reddit (r/asoiaf), the showrunner promised Martin that the narrative would remain grounded in the experiences of its lower-class characters, specifically Dunk, Egg, and the broader societal landscape of Westeros’s common folk. This commitment to a specific perspective sets “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” apart, offering a different lens through which to view the world of Westeros.
The production of season two appears to be progressing smoothly, with George R.R. Martin’s continued involvement described as a positive influence. A recent report from Google News (Collider) indicated that Martin has been “only been a benefit” during filming.
While the initial title card change caused a brief moment of uncertainty, Parker’s explanation underscores the show’s willingness to embrace a lighter tone and inject a bit of playful meta-commentary. As “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” prepares for its second season, it appears poised to continue exploring the rich world of Westeros through the eyes of its often-overlooked inhabitants, while also navigating the challenges of adapting beloved source material and managing audience expectations.
