The Newest Game of Thrones Star Just Revealed George R.R. Martin's Favorite A Song of Ice and Fire Story

Okay, so the "Game of Thrones" universe isn't going anywhere anytime soon, and frankly, I'm not mad about it. Just when you thought the dragons were resting, HBO is gearing up to launch "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," and apparently, we now know which *GoT* story is nearest and dearest to George R.R. Martin's heart. This nugget of information comes straight from the mouth of Peter Claffey, who's stepping into the (presumably very large) boots of Ser Duncan the Tall.

The Newest Game of Thrones Star Just Revealed Geor...

Claffey, alongside Dexter Sol Ansell (aka the young Prince Aegon Targaryen), was doing the press rounds at CCXP in Brazil, hyping up the new spin-off. And that's where the magic happened. Claffey revealed that Martin himself visited the set during filming. Can you imagine? Talk about pressure!

"It was awesome," Claffey gushed. "He came in to set that week and we got to talk to him and different things, and he told us that 'The Hedge Knight' is his favorite thing he's ever written." For those not steeped in Westeros lore, "The Hedge Knight" is the first of the "Tales of Dunk and Egg" novellas, which form the basis of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms." So, yeah, it sounds like Martin has a soft spot for the simpler, more chivalrous tale of Dunk and Egg's adventures.

Claffey went on to add that Martin jokingly implored showrunner Ira Parker not to "mess it up." A sentiment I think every *A Song of Ice and Fire* fan shares! But apparently, Martin was happy with the production, especially Daniel Ings' portrayal of Ser Lyonel Baratheon. Ansell even chimed in, calling Ings' performance "hilarious," which is definitely intriguing. A little humor in Westeros? We'll take it!

"A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" is set to debut on HBO on January 18, 2026, so mark your calendars. And, somewhat surprisingly, a second season is already in the works. They're wasting no time! Ansell has even shaved his head in anticipation of the next shoot. Talk about dedication. A new trailer dropped at the panel as well, so it looks like the promotion is already in full swing.

It's exciting to know that the man himself holds this particular story so dear. It definitely makes me even more eager to see how it translates to the screen. And hey, maybe this spin-off will give us a Brienne of Tarth connection, as some fans are already hoping. One can dream!