George R.R. Martin has heaped praise on the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms series, specifically highlighting its jousting sequences as the finest ever captured on screen. Speaking at New York Comic Con 2025, the Game of Thrones creator expressed his awe at how the production team brought his vision of Westeros to life, particularly the elaborate Ashford Tourney grounds filmed in Northern Ireland. The HBO prequel premieres January 2026.
Quick read:
• Martin praises Knight’s jousting as “best ever recorded”
• Ashford Tourney grounds created in Northern Ireland
• Series premieres January 2026 on HBO
Bringing Westeros to Life: Martin’s Vision Realized
At NYCC 2025, George R.R. Martin shared his emotional response to visiting the set: “Somewhere north of Belfast, in the wilds of Northern Ireland, they created the Ashford Tourney grounds…I felt like I was in Westeros. Something that only existed in my head had come to life. And it has the best jousting ever recorded.”
The author’s enthusiasm signals strong confidence in the production, which adapts his Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. The Ashford Tourney is a pivotal sequence in the first story, The Hedge Knight, where Ser Duncan the Tall proves his valor in spectacular medieval combat.
Credit: HBO
Authentic Medieval Action: What Makes It Special
Martin’s declaration carries significant weight given his extensive involvement with Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon productions. Unlike the large-scale dragon battles that defined those series, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms focuses on grounded, character-driven action showcasing traditional knightly combat.
The six-episode first season stars Peter Claffey as Ser Duncan and Dexter Sol Ansell as Egg, with the production investing heavily in authentic medieval tournament sequences. Martin’s confidence suggests the series will deliver visceral, historically-inspired action that honors both the source material and the realities of medieval jousting tournaments.
Read next: Who is Valarr Targaryen from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
If you have any important filming news about House of the Dragon, or if you want to collaborate with us or want to write for us, please drop us a message here.
