The world of Westeros is officially back. The new prequel series The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is bringing viewers to an earlier era of the universe made famous by George R. R. Martin, with a story focused on Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire Aegon Targaryen. The first season follows a strict weekly release pattern on HBO in the United States, with each episode arriving on HBO Max the next day.
When new episodes stream on HBO Max
The debut season of The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is made up of six episodes. The rollout starts on January 18, 2026 on HBO in the United States, and each installment is then available to stream the following day on HBO Max.
This weekly drop mirrors the release model used for previous shows set in the same literary universe, with one new episode every week over a limited run.
Full episode calendar for HBO and HBO Max
Below is the complete release schedule, listing each episode, its title when available, and the specific dates for the HBO broadcast and HBO Max streaming launch in the United States.
| Episode | Title | HBO air date (U.S.) | HBO Max streaming date (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | The Hedge Knight | January 18, 2026 | January 19, 2026 |
| Episode 2 | Hard Salt Beef | January 25, 2026 | January 26, 2026 |
| Episode 3 | To be confirmed | February 1, 2026 | February 2, 2026 |
| Episode 4 | To be confirmed | February 8, 2026 | February 9, 2026 |
| Episode 5 | To be confirmed | February 15, 2026 | February 16, 2026 |
| Episode 6 | To be confirmed | February 22, 2026 | February 23, 2026 |
What story this new Westeros prequel tells
Set roughly ninety years before the events depicted in Game of Thrones, The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms adapts George R. R. Martin’s novellas known collectively as the Tales of Dunk and Egg. At the heart of the show are Ser Duncan the Tall, a wandering knight from common birth, and Egg, the boy who will one day become Aegon V Targaryen.
The first season primarily focuses on the plot of The Hedge Knight. Rather than a sprawling war narrative, the series leans into a more intimate scale, following individual journeys, the ideals and rules of knighthood, and the simmering political strains within the realm.
New episodes are available on HBO Max each week, the day after their initial HBO broadcast in the United States, allowing viewers to follow the season from January through late February 2026.
Key dates to remember for U.S. viewers
If you are planning your watch schedule, there are two essential details to keep in mind:
- The first episode hits HBO on January 18, 2026 and lands on HBO Max on January 19, 2026.
- The season runs for six episodes, with weekly releases from mid-January to late February 2026.
FAQ
When does the first episode stream on HBO Max in the United States?
The first episode becomes available on HBO Max on January 19, 2026, following its January 18, 2026 premiere on HBO.
How many episodes are in season 1 of the knight of the seven kingdoms prequel?
Season 1 consists of six episodes released over the course of January and February 2026.
Are new episodes released weekly on HBO Max?
Yes. A new episode is added to HBO Max every week, the day after its HBO broadcast in the United States.
What timeline within the Westeros universe does the series cover?
The story is set about ninety years before the events of Game of Thrones, focusing on the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and the young Aegon Targaryen.
