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The big ask George R.R. Martin had for HBO & A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner Ira Parker

Parker worked closely with Martin to make sure Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms matched the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas closely - but not too closely

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 is over, but HBO's latest Game of Thrones spinoff isn't going anywhere, if you ask us. We won't pretend to know what the secret to the show's success is, although one thing the show has going for it that certainly doesn't hurt is the repeated involvement of author George R.R. Martin, whose Westerosi prequel novellas The Tales of Dunk & Egg served as basis for the series. Martin has his thumbprints in the most unexpected places in the series, including - as we've just learned - the title itself.

Showrunner Ira Parker recently sat down with Variety for a quick debrief after the Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 finale, during which he revealed the extent of Martin's involvement even in the earliest stages of the production.

"Early on," Parker explained, "George was like, 'Just don’t call it Dunk & Egg — it sounds like Laverne & Shirley. It sounds like a sitcom.' I said, 'Oh, absolutely fine.'"

Months later, though, after filming for the first season was already over, Parker came to wonder whether or not he should've said such an immediate yes.

"As it got really late in the game," said the showrunner, "When we were putting the final touches in the post-production process, I did sort of waver a little bit. I said, 'Everyone’s just gonna call it Dunk & Egg, so why don’t we call it that?' Then I was talked down by my assistant that it wasn’t a wise idea. And I agree." 

Now, though, Parker realizes his first instinct to listen to Martin was his best, even though the noble and high-fantasy title does seem to clash with the show's intimate and even humorous tone. In fact, he said, the clash seems to help. 

"It’s nice to see a show called A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," Parker concluded. "And come there to find out that it is just a little lighter and has some fun, rather than setting people up with Dunk & Egg and you sort of know what you’re gonna get. I hope."

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 is streaming now on HBO Max.


A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 may have wrapped on HBO Max, but with House of the Dragon season 3 coming just around the corner, it's always a great time to read up on all things Game of Thrones. Fortunately, Popverse has everything you need to journey through the George R.R. Martin-created Westeros, including:

Plus much more coming as it gets announced!

Grant DeArmitt

Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.

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