The world of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms may be fictional, but the sweeping landscapes seen in the series are very real. The show’s medieval architecture and cinematic scale have already earned widespread praise from viewers, and much of that impact comes from its breathtaking, dreamlike scenery. Rather than relying on CGI, historic castles and dramatic countryside are used as the setting for the story of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg.

To bring this quieter, more grounded version of Westeros to life, the creators returned to the same filming locations where Game of Thrones was created. 

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has brought everyone back to the same yet much more peaceful Westeros. While the show will focus on a new story, the crew returned to the same location where they filmed Game of Thrones. The new series is filmed entirely across Northern Ireland.

The interior scenes were shot in the Game of Thrones studio in Belfast and at Titanic Studios. The Myra Castle in Northern Ireland became Ashford, and parts of Flea Bottom, with the Glenarm Castle estate used as Ashford Meadow. Familiar landscapes like Tollymore Forest Park and the Mourne Mountains are also reused, which quietly link the two versions of Westeros. 

Instead of heavy CGI, the series relies heavily on letting Northern Ireland’s landscapes do the storytelling. From Hen Mountain in the Mournes to Tollymore Forest Park, the same old place was used to show the roads and wild corners of Westeros. This was a welcome change after the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, was filmed at Warner Bros. Studios in England.

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While A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Game of Thrones share the same world of Westeros, are their stories and characters connected as well?

The two worlds of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Game of Thrones are indeed connected since both are set in Westeros. However, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms tells a more grounded story set in Westeros. Based on George R. R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, this show is set between Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.

This new spin-off, which follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire Egg, maintains a few clear connections to Game of Thrones. One such connection is that Egg, played by Dexter Sol Ansell, is a Targaryen and the younger brother of Maester Aemon from the original series. While major crossovers are unlikely in the first season, familiar names and faces may appear as the series continues.

So, while A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms steps away from the battles, queens, and kings shown in the previous shows, it still has a connection with Game of Thrones. And by returning to Northern Ireland, the series reconnects viewers with the same old landscapes, too.

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What do you think about the new Westeros? Let us know in the comments section below.