Spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 1 ahead, but don’t worry, we won’t spoil Dunk & Egg book details that could make it to the show.
<em>A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms</em> episode 1 introduced Lyonel Baratheon, a character who is sure to become a new fan favorite. This Game of Thrones spinoff series is based on George R.R. Martin’s Dunk & Egg novellas, which follow the titular characters through a variety of adventures. The TV adaptation is off to a great start, and the first episode alone perfectly demonstrated how A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is different from Game of Thrones or its other spinoff, House of the Dragon.
HBO’s newest Game of Thrones show is set about 50 years before Robert Baratheon claimed the Iron Throne. During this era, Robert’s ancestors held Lordship only at Storm’s End. This is where A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘Lyonel Baratheon comes in. We meet this character in the show’s very first episode, and he adds loads more comedy and quirkiness to the Game of Thrones spinoff.
Lyonel Baratheon’s Role In A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Explained
In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 1, Ser Duncan the Tall forges an unlikely friendship with Ser Lyonel. Through a chain of circumstances, Dunk ended up in Lyonel’s tent, where he enjoyed a feast. Lyonel, noticing Dunk’s height, summoned Dunk and interrogated him about his intentions. The hedge knight’s shocked and simple answers ticked Lyonel, and he invited Dunk to the dance floor. This is where the future heir to Storm’s End was truly won over by Dunk, who was brave enough (or thick enough) to stomp on Lyonel’s foot.
Dunk and Lyonel’s friendship in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a perfect demonstration of Dunk’s defining trait. He made no effort to flatter or appeal to Lyonel, and, if he had, he likely would have been wholly disregarded. It was a shocking shift from the norm for the noble-born knight. Beyond the valuable look at Dunk’s character, this friendship is sure to have a continued impact on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ plot.
Daniel Ings Plays Lyonel Baratheon In The Game Of Thrones Prequel – Where You Know The Actor From
Lyonel Baratheon is a fantastically chaotic character in the Game of Thrones spinoff, and this comes across thanks to the performance from actor Daniel Ings. Of course, this is no surprise, considering his nearly two-decade acting career. Before joining the cast of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Ings appeared in a variety of film projects. Still, television is always where this actor has shone.
Though Ings appeared in his first TV show back in 2010, he gained wider spread recognition playing Commander Mike Parker in The Crown from 2016 to 2017. Then, in 2019, Ings starred in an episode of the sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror (episode titled “Smithereens). That same year, the actor played Dan in Sex Education, a role he held until 2023. Ings’ most recent project was in 2024’s The Gentlemen, in which he held the main role of Frederick “Freddy” Horniman.
Ings has a couple of projects to look forward to in addition to further appearances in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. He’ll play an unknown role in the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, expected to be released in 2027. Then, Ings will appear alongside Cythia Erivo in the British drama series Prime Fascie (release year to be announced).
Everything Else We Know About Lyonel Baratheon In Game Of Thrones’ History
Like most highborn characters in the Game of Thrones franchise, Lyonel Baratheon has a well-documented history in Martin’s work. In A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Lyonel is the heir to Storm’s End. He will take the Lordship during the rule of Aegon V Targaryen, a king he felt deeply loyal to for a time. However, after Aegon’s son broke off an engagement with Lyonel’s daughter, he began calling himself the Storm King and led a short-lived rebellion against the Targaryen ruler.
Lyonel’s rebellion was swiftly squashed, and Aegon V put Lyonel up against the Lord Commander of his King’s Guard in a trial by combat. Lyonel ultimately yielded, and Aegon responded by betrothing his daughter, Rhaelle, to Lyonel’s heir, Ormund Baratheon.
After Ormund’s run as Lord of Storm’s End, his and Rhaelle’s son, Steffon, took up the role. Steffon’s son was no other than Game of Thrones‘ Robert Baratheon, the first non-Targaryen king (though still a descendant of King Aegon V) of Westeros. This means that Lyonel Baratheon is Robert’s own great-grandfather.
Why Daniel Ings’ Lyonel Baratheon Is Already A Fan Favorite Character
The Game of Thrones franchise has produced a variety of fan-favorite characters , many of whom share a common trait. The Hound , Tyrion , Arya , and Oberyn—each of these is a sort of wild card. Lyonel fits right in with the bunch. He’s entirely chaotic in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode1. He’s highborn and intellectual , but a clear fanof agood time.These details are all themore compelling byLyonel’s unlikely friendship with Dunk.It’s acomical dynamic we can all get behind.
