Warning: This text accommodates minor spoilers for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 3, “The Squire.”A more recent addition to the ever-growing forged of the Sport of Thrones franchise shares how he could not simply emulate the enduring performances of previous Targaryen actors.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, happening roughly a century earlier than Sport of Thrones, follows the underdog knight Ser Duncan “Dunk” (Peter Claffey) and his very younger squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). Nevertheless, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 3’s main bombshell brings them into contact with Prince Aerion Targyen (Finn Bennett), the second of Prince Maekar (Sam Spruell), himself the second son of the king.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Finn Bennett shared how portraying Aerion was a selected problem as he explored what method would greatest serve this character. THR commented, “[…] you had been so cautious of being influenced by different Targaryen portrayals you have seen,” to which Bennett responded, “It is onerous to not be as a result of they’re so f*****g good.“
However the characterization and performing selections of Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen apparently did not match Aerion, as Bennett additional mentioned: “However for me, possibly, it was a little bit of a sobering realization that what labored for them, their stillness… like Emilia Clarke in Sport of Thrones, she’s nearly like a prophet. She’s so stoic and calm, however has this actual hearth effervescent beneath the floor.“
“It was possibly a type of reckoning to see there are limits to what I can do, and what works for me,” continues Bennett. “Possibly these will change, as I become old and my face modifications and I develop rounder. [Laughs.] However I used to be like, ‘This does not actually work for me, so I’ve to attempt one thing completely different right here’.” Bennett may very well be enjoying Aerion for a protracted whereas, as there may be an bold plan for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to run for greater than 12 seasons.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 3 reveals extra in regards to the characterizations of Maekar’s sons. The eldest, Daeron (Henry Ashton), who has but to look on-screen, is understood to spend most of his time partying. Aerion, nevertheless, is “useless and merciless.“ In episode 3, Aerion maims one other knight in an act of foul play throughout a joust, then tortures the puppeteer Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford) for performing a model of Targaryen historical past he disliked.
Along with Emilia Clarke’s larger-than-life efficiency because the Dragon Queen out to reclaim the Iron Throne, earlier Targaryen performances embody these from the likes of Emma D’Arcy, Matt Smith, and Paddy Considine in Home of the Dragon. Whereas these characters are all, sooner or later, dragon riders, Aerion is brutal in a extra human manner.
The story will stay targeted on Dunk and Egg and their relationship, however Bennett’s function as Aerion might be much more vital in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1’s remaining three episodes, as Dunk finds himself within the Targaryen prince’s crosshairs. Whether or not the total plan for the present involves fruition stays to be seen, however A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is already renewed for season 2.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is offered to stream on HBO Max. New episodes (normally) launch on Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max. Episode 4 might be launched on Friday, February 6, at 12:01 a.m. PT/3:01 a.m. ET, to keep away from conflicting with Tremendous Bowl LX.
- Launch Date
-
January 18, 2026
- Community
-
HBO
- Showrunner
-
Ira Parker
- Administrators
-
Owen Harris
- Writers
-
George R. R. Martin, Ira Parker
-
Peter Claffey
Ser Duncan ‘Dunk’ the Tall
-
