Warning: The following contains minor spoilers from George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novels
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is the latest spinoff of George R.R. Martin’s beloved world that promises to be closer in style to what made Game of Thrones special in its prime: excellent storytelling and fascinating characters. With fewer special effects and a sharper focus on character development, this show might deliver exactly what Game of Thrones fans have been missing in House of the Dragon.
Martin visited the sets during filming and couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. He raved about the performances and how faithfully the showrunners stayed true to his novella. He expressed particular delight in seeing these two protagonists — characters very close to his heart — brought to life with such care and authenticity. Below is a guide to the most important characters and their roles in this exciting new chapter of the Westeros saga.
1
Ser Duncan the Tall Is a Character a Longtime in the Making
Portrayed by: Peter Claffey
Irish actor and former rugby player Peter Claffey brings the legendary Ser Duncan to life. While his acting resume isn’t extensive yet, he has a few credits, including Vikings: Valhalla and Bad Sisters. George R.R. Martin himself praised Claffey’s performance after watching all the episodes.
Related
George R.R. Martin has high praise for the upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff based on his Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas.
Dunk grew up as a street kid in Flea Bottom with barely any memories of his parents. Taken in by hedge knight Ser Arlan of Pennytree, he learned knighthood by traveling across Westeros despite never officially becoming a knight! After Arlan’s death, Dunk shows up at the Ashford Tourney in 209 AC, boldly calling himself “Ser Duncan the Tall.” He takes on a boy named Egg as his squire. His sense of honor lands him in royal trouble when he defends a puppeteer from Prince Aerion Targaryen, leading to a Trial of Seven. Through sheer grit and integrity, Dunk stands up to the Targaryens despite his humble beginnings and defeats the Royal Prince and his men at the trial.
2
Prince Aegon Targaryen Is the Boy Who Would Become King
Portrayed by: Dexter Sol Ansell
Young Dexter Sol Ansell started acting at just four years old in Emmerdale. Film fans might recognize him as Young Coriolanus Snow in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes or from Sky’s thriller The Midwich Cuckoos. As Prince Aegon Targaryen, the fourth son of Prince Maekar, Dexter plays a complex character who’s both bold and compassionate, with a sharp wit and a touch of noble pride.
Though sometimes insolent, Egg’s sincerity and love for animals shine through. He shared a close bond with his older brother Aemon (the same Maester Aemon from Game of Thrones) and had a special connection to dragons, keeping a green-and-white swirled egg by his side. Despite being tormented by his cruel brother Aerion, Egg grew into a kind-hearted person beloved by the smallfolk. Egg is one of the story’s main characters, alongside Ser Duncan the Tall.
3
Prince Aerion Targaryen Becomes the Mad Prince With Two Faces
Portrayed by: Finn Bennett
British actor Finn Bennett, who recently gained attention as Officer Peter Prior in True Detective: Night Country, has actually been acting since age 11, when he appeared in Foyle’s War. In the series, Bennett portrays Prince Aerion Targaryen, aka “Aerion the Monstrous” or “Aerion Brightflame”. Aerion is a textbook example of Targaryen madness. Two-faced to the core, he acts courteously around his father but turns cruel and arrogant behind his back.
Related
George R.R. Martin Praises Early Cuts of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
The author hopes fans of the source material will love the series as much as he does.
Aerion is central to The Hedge Knight story, disgracing himself at the Ashford tourney by killing another knight’s horse. When Dunk defends a puppeteer named Tanselle from Aerion’s beating, things escalate quickly. During the Trial by Combat, Aerion wounds Dunk with a lance, but Dunk doesn’t quit. Instead, he beats the prince to the ground with his shield and forces him to yield.
4
Prince Baelor Targaryen Serves as an Honorable Targaryen Knight
Portrayed by: Bertie Carvel
Award-winning British actor Bertie Carvel brings serious credentials to the cast, with two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award for his theater work. TV fans might know him from Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, The Crown, or as the lead in Dalgliesh. Carvel plays Prince Baelor Targaryen, the respected crown prince to King Daeron II.
A true warrior and honorable knight, Baelor stands by Dunk during the Trial by Combat. Tragically, he’s mortally wounded by his own brother Maekar’s mace and dies in Dunk’s arms.
5
Prince Maekar Targaryen Grows Into a Judgmental Future King
Portrayed by: Sam Spruell
Sam Spruell began his career at the Royal National Theatre and has appeared in various Shakespeare plays. His film credits include Elizabeth: The Golden Age, The Hurt Locker, and as the Evil Queen’s brother in Snow White & the Huntsman. As Prince Maekar I Targaryen (who later becomes king in 221 AC), Spruell portrays a prickly, impatient man quick to judge others. After Dunk wins the Trial by Combat, Maekar meets him and expresses regret over Aerion’s behavior. He offers Dunk a position in his household to train Aegon. When Dunk declines because he prefers to continue his travels, he offers to take young Aegon as his squire instead. Maekar agrees but wants Aegon to continue as “Egg” to avoid a scandal.
6
Ser Lyonel Baratheon Is The Bold Heir To Storm’s End
Portrayed by Daniel Ings
British actor Daniel Ings built his career on both comedy and drama. Fans might know him as Luke in Lovesick, Commander Mike Parker in The Crown, or from shows like Sex Education and The Gold. In the series, Ings plays Ser Lyonel Baratheon, the bold and boisterous heir to Storm’s End.
Lyonel makes his mark at the Ashford tournament in 209 AC, facing off against champion Ser Robert Ashford in a thrilling tilt where both knights break their lances. Even after being unseated, Lyonel keeps fighting with sword and mace, eventually forcing Robert to surrender and take his place as champion. Later, he’s pulled into the legendary Trial of Seven alongside Dunk.
7
Prince Daeron Targaryen Is a Dragondreamer With Little Ambition
Portrayed by: Henry Ashton
Henry Ashton only seriously pursued acting about four years ago but has already appeared in Outlander, My Lady Jane, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. Ashton plays Prince Daeron, Maekar’s oldest son and one of the rare Targaryen Dragondreamers. Daeron is sent to the Ashford tourney by his father but has zero interest in competing and sneaks away with Aegon, who disguises himself by shaving his head to hide his Targaryen features.
After they meet Dunk at an Inn, Daeron warns Aegon to stay away, but to his surprise, Aegon asks Duncan to become his squire. When Ser Roland Crakehall comes looking for the boys, Daeron lies and claims that a robber knight kidnapped Aegon. During the Trial of Seven, Daeron keeps his promise to Dunk by withdrawing after being unhorsed. In a chilling twist, Daeron’s dream of a dragon falling on Dunk yet leaving him unharmed comes true when his brother Baelor dies in Dunk’s arms.
8
Tanselle Is the Love Interest of the Story’s Hero
Portrayed by: Tanzyn Crawford
Born in Perth, Australia, and raised between Australia and the US, Tanzyn Crawford broke through in Hulu’s Tiny Beautiful Things, and recently landed the lead in the 2024 Australian series Swift Street. Crawford plays Tanselle, a tall Dornish puppeteer performing with a group at the Ashford Tourney.
After watching her perform, Duncan invites her for an ale, which she declines, though there’s definitely some flirtation between them. Trouble starts when Aerion watches one of their shows where a dragon dies, which upsets him. He calls it treason and attacks the performers with his men. Egg witnesses the scene and calls Dunk to help, leading to Dunk’s arrest and the subsequent Trial by Seven.
9
Ser Steffon Fossoway Is an Ambitious Backstabbing Knight
Portrayed by: Edward Ashley
British actor Edward Ashley has appeared in Ron Howard’s In the Heart of the Sea, Netflix’s The King, and series like The Terror and Masters of the Air. Ashley portrays Ser Steffon Fossoway, one of the knights at the Ashford tourney.
When Duncan needs fighters for the Trial of Seven, Steffon initially promises to join him but switches sides when Aerion Targaryen offers him a lordship. This betrayal prompts Steffon’s squire and cousin, Raymun Fossoway, to fight for Duncan instead.
10
Ser Raymun Fossoway Goes From Loyal Squire to Prestigious Knight
Portrayed by: Shaun Thomas
Hailing from Bradford, England, Shaun Thomas made his debut in The Selfish Giant. He won the “Best British Newcomer Award” at the London Film Festival, and was nominated for “Most Promising Newcomer” (BIFA) and “Young British Performer of the Year” (London Critics Circle Film Awards). Audiences might also know him from Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children or How to Have Sex.
Related
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Will Introduce 2 Important Targaryens Only Book-Readers Know
Duncan the Tall’s journey brought him into contact with two of House Targaryen’s dragon dreamers, both of whom dreamed of their encounters beforehand.
Thomas plays Raymun Fossoway, Ser Steffon’s younger cousin and squire, who befriends Duncan at the Ashford tourney. Raymun is kinder and more honorable than his older cousin. When Steffon abandons Duncan, Raymun takes his place. But Raymun wanted to be knighted, and when Duncan hesitated, Ser Lyonel Baratheon stepped in and made him a knight.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight takes place about 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones and will premiere sometime in the late summer of this year on HBO MAX.
