TL;DR: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a 6-episode prequel to Game of Thrones. The finale just aired yesterday (February 23, 2026), meaning the full season is now available to binge. While it’s marketed as a "lighter" entry into Westeros, it still carries a TV-MA rating for violence, language, and some nudity.
If you’ve been scrolling through Max lately, you’ve probably seen the buzz. We just wrapped up the first season of the newest Westeros spinoff, and the big question in the parent group chats isn't just "What happened to the dragons?" but rather, "Can my 12-year-old watch this?"
Unlike its predecessors, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms feels a bit different. It’s shorter, punchier, and focuses on a "hedge knight" named Dunk and his bald little squire, Egg. But before you let the kids dive in, let’s break down the logistics and the "parental vibe check" you need.
The first season consists of 6 episodes.
If that feels short, it’s because it is. Compared to the 10-episode seasons we used to get with Game of Thrones or the 8-to-10 episode runs of House of the Dragon, this is a quick burn.
The reason? This season covers the first of George R.R. Martin’s "Dunk and Egg" novellas, The Hedge Knight. Since the source material is a relatively short book rather than a 1,000-page tome, the showrunners opted for a tighter narrative. Most episodes clock in between 35 and 45 minutes, making it much easier to accidentally finish in one Saturday afternoon.
The Season 1 Episode List:
- "The Hedge Knight" (Premiere)
- "Hard Salt Beef"
- "The Squire"
- "Seven"
- "In the Name of the Mother"
- "The Morrow" (Finale)
Set about 100 years before Arya Stark or Jon Snow were even a thought, the show follows Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), a massive but humble guy trying to make it as a knight without a fancy lord to back him up. He meets a spunky kid named Egg, who—spoiler alert for history buffs—is actually Aegon V Targaryen.
It’s essentially a "road trip" story through a medieval fantasy world. It’s less about global politics and "who sits on the Iron Throne" and more about personal honor, tournament drama, and the friendship between a big guy and a little kid.
Here is where it gets tricky. If you’ve seen the interviews, the young actor who plays Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) has been telling everyone that "kids like me can watch it."
And to be fair, compared to the "Red Wedding" or the literal "blood and cheese" moments of House of the Dragon, this is a walk in the park. It’s sunnier, it has more jokes, and it feels more like a traditional chivalry story.
However, it is still rated TV-MA.
HBO isn't exactly making Bluey here. Here is what you’re actually looking at:
- Violence: It’s a show about knights. There are jousts, sword fights, and injuries. While it isn't "torture-porn" levels of gore, people do get hurt, and it’s realistic.
- Language: The F-bomb and other colorful Westerosi profanities are used. It’s not every other word, but it’s there.
- Nudity/Sex: This is the biggest "lighter" change. There are far fewer sex scenes than the original series, but you will still see some nudity (rear nudity, background scenes in taverns).
- Themes: There are references to sex work and some pretty heavy-handed classism and abuse of power.
So, who is this for? At Screenwise, we generally categorize this as Ages 15+.
If you have a 12 or 13-year-old who has already read The Hunger Games or watched The Mandalorian, they can probably handle the themes. But the "HBO-ness" (the specific brand of grit and occasional nudity) might still be a bit much for a middle schooler.
If your kid is begging for fantasy but isn't ready for the "Adults of Westeros" vibe, try these alternatives instead:
Ages 9+ Great for that "kid on an epic quest" feeling without the risk of accidentally seeing a tavern scene you have to explain later.
Ages 10+ If they love the idea of exploring a kingdom and being a knight, this is the gold standard. It’s challenging, beautiful, and completely brain-rot free.
Ages 7+ For a story about an unlikely bond in a dangerous world, this is a masterpiece. It hits all the emotional notes of a "Dunk and Egg" story but is safe for the whole living room.
Ages 10+ If your teen likes the "simpler life" aspect of the hedge knight story—traveling, meeting people in small towns, and helping out—this is a fantastic, non-addictive alternative.
If you do decide to watch it with your older teen, or if they’ve already binged it on their own, use it as a jumping-off point for some real conversations:
- What makes a "true" knight? Dunk isn't a knight because of a title; he’s a knight because of how he treats people. That’s a great conversation about character vs. status.
- The "Tournament" Culture: Compare the tournaments in the show to modern sports or celebrity culture. Why do we love watching people compete, and what happens when the "heroes" are actually jerks?
- Power Dynamics: Egg is a prince, but he’s pretending to be a nobody. Why is he doing that? What does he learn by seeing the world from the bottom up?
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a breath of fresh air for fans who were getting a little tired of the grim-dark "everyone dies" vibe of the other shows. Its 6-episode run makes it a very manageable commitment.
However, don't let the "lighter" reviews fool you into thinking it's a Nickelodeon show. It’s still HBO. It’s still Westeros. If you’re on the fence, watch the first episode, "The Hedge Knight," by yourself after the kids are in bed. You’ll know within the first 20 minutes if your teen is ready for it.
And hey, if they aren't? There's always a second season coming in 2027. They’ll be a year older then.