‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Showrunner Confesses Biggest Book Change Was a “Mistake”
HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has been drawing a lot of attention online, with fans praising the show for its storytelling and attention to George R.R. Martin’s books. The prequel’s fourth episode is being called the best so far. It currently holds a 9.7 rating on IMDB, making it the highest-rated episode in the Game of Thrones universe since season seven’s “The Spoils of War.”
A big part of the praise comes from the show’s loyalty to Martin’s original material. Fans have noticed that the series captures the spirit of the books, which is something Martin has always stressed as important.
However, showrunner Ira Parker admitted he made one mistake while adapting the story. During a Reddit AMA, a fan asked about a specific scene from Martin’s novella The Hedge Knight that didn’t make it into the show. In the book, Dunk has an important exchange with the blacksmith Steely Pate, which many readers consider a key moment in the story.
The fan explained how the scene is placed at a turning point for Dunk and said it gives the story its moral heart. Parker responded honestly, admitting the scene was originally in the script but got cut.
He told the fan, “Honestly it was a mistake on my part. Not my first, not my last on this show. That scene was in the script at one point, then fell out. I agree that ‘a knight who remembers his vows’ is the soul of this story, but I think that is still very much at the core of the show, even if I stupidly left out this scene … it may not be said explicitly, but Dunk’s actions remain the same.”
Fans responded positively to Parker’s honesty. One wrote, “I have to say I think your honesty is really refreshing.”
Parker also spoke about the upcoming second season of the show in an interview with THR. He confirmed the new season will again have six episodes and said the scale of production will be similar to season one. He noted that filming will be more expensive because the story involves a drought, which requires shooting in a sunny location outside of Belfast. Parker said he’s excited about the next season and hopes it will be even better than the first.
Overall, Parker’s openness about the adaptation shows a respect for the source material and a willingness to admit when things don’t go as planned.
It’s refreshing to see a showrunner admit a mistake openly. Fans appreciate honesty, especially when it comes to beloved books. The show seems to stay true to Martin’s work overall, so missing one scene isn’t a huge problem. What do you think about this? Do you agree that Parker handled it well, or do you wish the scene had been included? Share your thoughts in the comments.
