A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - Season One (2026) (UHD Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers / HBO
Release Date: June 16, 2026
Rating: NR
Film: 4/5
 
Plot
Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.


My Thoughts
A Hedge Knight, Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey), and his newly acquired squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), travel the roads of Westeros in the days leading up to the events of the main saga. Together they become embroiled in tournaments, political intrigue, and the dangerous realities of knighthood in a brutal world. Unlike previous installments in the Game of Thrones franchise which follow multiple families and political machinations, this show is focused on two main characters for the vast majority of its 208-minute runtime.

Dunk is new to knighthood after being a squire to Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), who is buried in the first scene of the series but we get to know somewhat through various flashbacks across the six episodes. Dunk is making his way to Ashford, where a tournament is being held, and the struggling knight is hoping to prove himself and improve his fortunes. Along the way he meets the bald-headed Egg, who finagles himself into the squire role, but the two end up being a match made in heaven.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the show going in and found myself pleasantly surprised. Claffey is extremely likable as the lead and young Ansell steals every scene that he's in. The first episode reminded me a lot of A Knight's Tale from a premise standpoint, but quickly diverges from there into something a bit more dark and even quite humorous. Going in, I was warned of a few scenes that may be off-putting, so I was able to prepare my wife for them. Frankly, they added nothing to the story and were included for shock value only. Furthermore, the show has some extreme violence and gore, particularly in the fifth episode, but the story is good enough to overlook these flaws.

The 4K presentation is absolutely fantastic. It's presented in a 2.00:1 aspect ratio and was shot in 4K on an Arri Alexa Mini LF camera. While the presentation won't blow you away with a vivid color palette, it captures the mood of the show perfectly. Dimly lit scenes feature plenty of detail and the image is razor sharp throughout the six episodes.

The Dolby Atmos track is just as impressive and lets its presence be known in the first scene of the show during a rainstorm that places you right in the action. This is just an appetizer for what's to come throughout the series though, with the fifth episode really showcasing stout dynamics, excellent use of every speaker in the room, and of course, a copious helping of LFE.

Video 10/10
Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
Special Features:

Disc One

• Into the Episode (Episodes 1, 2, and 3)
• Building A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Disc Two

• Into the Episode (Episodes 4, 5, and6)
• Welcome to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (Extended)
• Blooper Reel
• A King in the Making – Episode 1
• A Knight in the Making – Episodes 2 and 3
• A Knight in the Making – Episodes 4, 5 and 6
• Character Pieces
  
  • Meet Dunk
  • Meet Egg
• Ashford Meadows Set Tour with Dexter Sol Ansell

Conclusion
I really wanted to rate the show higher than I did, but given the few instances of "shock value" and extreme violence and gore, I lowered the rating by half a point. Regardless, if you're a fan of the Game of Thrones universe, definitely check this out. While the narrative is certainly different than its forebears, it's a great addition to the franchise and I highly recommend it.



Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(I utilized Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 110” 2.35:1 Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Zidoo UHD8000 Media Player
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
Dual Rythmik FV15HP2
Mini DSP HD
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner