Four 'Game of Thrones' ancestors you'll see in 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms'
If you're a Game of Thrones fan, you're going to hear a ton of familiar names in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
HBO's latest Game of Thrones spin-off takes place roughly a century before the original series, when knight Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey) first takes his squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) under his wing. The pair make their way to a tournament at Ashford Meadow. And you know what a tournament means? Lots of Westerosi lords will be there — including members of the Great Houses whose descendants viewers have come to know and love in Game of Thrones. So who should you be keeping an eye out for in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and how are they related to your Game of Thrones faves?
So, so, so many Targaryens
It wouldn't be a Game of Thrones show without Targaryens, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has Targs to spare. Major names to remember include Prince Baelor "Breakspear" Targaryen (Bertie Carvel), heir to the Iron Throne; his brother, Prince Maekar (Sam Spruell); and Maekar's son, Aerion (Finn Bennett). While Baelor is among the kindest, most just Targaryens you'll meet onscreen, Aerion is a total wild card with a bit of a sadistic streak.
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You won't see him in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but the current ruler of the Seven Kingdoms is Baelor and Maekar's father, Daeron II Targaryen. Known as "Daeron the Good," he's a respected ruler who managed to incorporate Dorne into the Seven Kingdoms without spilling a drop of blood — something even Aegon the Conqueror couldn't accomplish. He's also Daenerys Targaryen's great-great-great-grandfather.
That's not the only connection this crop of Targaryens has to Game of Thrones. Maekar has sons besides Aerion, including Aemon, who's currently training to become a Maester at the Citadel. Down the line, he becomes becomes Maester at Castle Black in Game of Thrones. Like Daeron II, Aemon doesn't appear in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, but just know that he's around (and probably scrubbing chambers pots like Samwell Tarly did in Game of Thrones Season 7).
Lyonel Baratheon
House Baratheon's words are "Ours is the fury," but you'd never know it from looking at Ser Lyonel Baratheon (Daniel Ings), current heir to Storm's End. Nicknamed "the Laughing Storm," he's a jovial partier who loves a good time — and a good fight, should the need arise. His heir, Ormund, goes on to be the grandfather of Game of Thrones characters like King Robert, Stannis, and Renly. George R.R. Martin doesn't specify whether Ormund is Lyonel's son, meaning he could be some other family relation. However, Lyonel remains an integral part of the Baratheon family tree.
Leo Tyrell
The current Lord of Highgarden is Leo "Longthorn" Tyrell (Steve Wall), whose descendants include Mace Tyrell and his children, Margaery and Loras. According to The World of Ice and Fire and A Storm of Swords, he's a formidable jouster and one of House Tyrell's most lauded knights.
Manfred Dondarrion
House Dondarrion isn't one of the Great Houses, but it still deserves a shout-out. Ser Manfred Dondarrion (Daniel Monks) is the heir to House Dondarrion in the Stormlands. He's also one of the ancestors of Game of Thrones' much-resurrected Ser Beric Dondarrion, the Lightning Lord and leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premieres Jan. 18 at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.
Belen Edwards is an Entertainment Reporter at Mashable. She covers movies and TV with a focus on fantasy and science fiction, adaptations, animation, and more nerdy goodness. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and the Television Critics Association, as well as a Tomatometer-approved critic.
