The first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms had built up to a fever pitch. Games of Thrones and House of the Dragon may have more world-ending stakes, but the latest George R.R. Martin adaptation still has life and death on the line. And in the same vein as the original show, it seems like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is going to go all-out with its penultimate episode.
If you are trying to stay up-to-date with the fantasy series before it goes on hiatus, here is everything you need to know before the fifth episode premieres:
When does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms come out?
Like Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon and most other major HBO titles, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is releasing one episode a week. There will only be six episodes in season 1, but the network already renewed the show for season 2 set to premiere in 2027.
Season 1, episode 5 will drop on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday, February 15 at 9 p.m. ET. The episode, titled “In the Name of the Mother” is expected to have a runtime around 37 minutes, with the ensuing finale slated to come in at 31 minutes.
(Warning: Spoilers for Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon seasons 1 + 2 and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 4 ahead.)
Who will show up in episode 5?
The smaller scope and shorter runtime of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms limited how many characters we met over the course of this season. Dunk is now at the center of a skirmish between some major houses, though, who are both ancestors and descendants of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon characters, respectively. Here is a look at who could be part of the cast for episode 5:
- Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan ‘Dunk’ the Tall
- Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg a.k.a. Prince Aegon V Targaryen
- Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor ‘Breakspear’ Targaryen
- Finn Bennett as Prince Aerion ‘Brightflame’ Targaryen
- Daniel Ings as Ser Lyonel ‘The Laughing Storm’ Baratheon
- Henry Ashton as Prince Daeron ‘the Drunken’ Targaryen
- Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen
- Shaun Thomas as Raymun Fossoway
- Edward Ashley as Ser Steffon Fossoway
- Williams Houston as Ser Robyn Rhysling
- Youssef Kerkour as Steely Pate
- Tom Vaughan-Lawlor as Plummer
- Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle
- Daniel Monks as Ser Manfred Dondarrion
- Wade Briggs as Ser Roland Crakehall
- Ross Anderson as Ser Humfrey Hardyng
- Steve Wall as Lord Leo ‘Longthorn’ Tyrell
- Danny Collins as Ser Humphrey Beesbury
- Russell Simpson as Lord Medgar Tully
- Paul Hunter as Lord Ashford
- Cara Harris as Lady Gwin Ashford
- Danny Webb as Ser Arlan of Pennytree
What to expect in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5
The stage is set for Dunk’s Trial of Seven, with both sides of the battle sorting out their champions in episode 4. The boisterous Ser Lyonel Baratheon, the one-eyed Ser Robyn Rhysling, Ser Humfrey Beesbury and Ser Humfrey Hardyng all came to Dunk’s aide thanks to Egg’s team-building skills, as did the Targaryen-hating Ser Steffon Fossoway. That left the accused hedge knight one fighter short of the required seven, only for Steffon Fossoway to switch allegiances in exchange for a lordship and put Dunk at a further disadvantage. Steffon’s cousin and squire, Raymun, offered to take his place, and Lyonel knighted him while Dunk went to plead for one more ally.
Dunk, arguing to the crowd that he was simply doing his knightly duty and defending the innocent when he punched Prince Aerion to save Tanselle, was rejected. At the last moment, though, heir to the Iron Throne Prince Baelor rode out to round out the team. They will be fighting against Aerion, Maekar and Daeron Targaryen, plus Ser Steffon and three Kingsguard – Ser Roland Crakehall, Ser Willem Wylde and Ser Donnel of Duskendale. Daeron agreed with Dunk prior to the bout that he would give himself up, which is working in Dunk’s favor.
Based on the sneak preview for episode 5, there will be a flashback to Dunk’s childhood either intercut with the battle or leading up to it. Dunk can “prove his innocence” in the eyes of the gods by winning, but he will be found guilty if he loses. We don’t know if the trial will be resolved in episode 5, but there will certainly be some action out on the battlefield.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms FAQ
When does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms come out?
Season 1, episode 5 will premiere at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 15.
Where can I watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
The show will initially air on HBO, but it will be available to stream on HBO Max simultaneously.
What is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms based on?
The show is an adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s trilogy of Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. The first book, The Hedge Knight, is the basis for season 1. There are two more stories in the series – The Sworn Sword and The Mystery Knight – that were published in 2003 and 2010, respectively. Those will serve as inspiration for future seasons, to say nothing of Martin’s planned-but-unpublished upcoming installments.
