Originally, Warner Bros. Discovery executives indicated it would air by the end of 2025, but no specific date was set. During WBD’s upfront presentation at Madison Square Garden, a teaser trailer revealed a 2026 release window with a title card confirming “2026.” HBO content chief Casey Bloys clarified on stage that the show is expected in the “winter,” suggesting an early 2026 debut.
The series is based on George R.R. Martin’s novella The Hedge Knight and takes place roughly 100 years before Game of Thrones and after House of the Dragon. It follows Ser Duncan the Tall (Ray Claffey) and his squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) as they navigate Westeros, encountering members of the Targaryen family — including Prince Aerion, Prince Baelor, and Prince Maekar — as well as other notable characters like Ser Lyonel Baratheon and a puppeteer named Tanselle.
Set during an era when Targaryens still sit on the Iron Throne and dragons are remembered but not seen, the story promises great destinies and dangerous adventures for these unlikely heroes. The show is written and executive produced by George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker, with Ryan Condal serving as showrunner. Sarah Adina Smith will direct three episodes in Season 1.
While fans await more details on House of the Dragon Season 3, HBO’s next Game of Thrones chapter is officially pushed to early 2026, promising new tales from Westeros’s storied past.
