“A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms is a look at what life is like in this grimy, broken world for those just trying to survive and Duncan is an effortlessly likeable underdog,” writes streaming columnist NICK OVERALL. 

It may be a spin-off to Game of Thrones, but A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms is not quite the tale of regal backstabbing and ruthless politicking that fans have come to expect.

This new prequel series on HBO Max, set around 100 years before the events of the fantasy epic, is instead more interested in what the brutal, day-to-day life is like in the land of Westeros for the “normal people” that inhabit it.

While audiences are used to seeing kings and queens of the noble houses sip from gold-laced goblets while plotting their schemes, this show follows a humble knight trying to eke out an existence in a world that is mercilessly cruel to those without coin.

Ser Duncan the Tall (played by Peter Claffey) is a “hedge knight”, one without a castle, a master or an income. He does not wander the land in shining armour, instead with mere rags on his back. He’s more likely to bump his head on his way out the door than make a dramatic exit with a cape flowing behind him.

Most unlike the other dwellers of Westeros, though, Duncan is actually a good person.

Trying to follow the stoic principles of knighthood he learned from a man who took him in as an orphan, Duncan stands up for the innocent and defends the vulnerable.

And, boy, is he punished for it.

What all of this means is A Knight of The Seven Kingdoms has essentially flipped Game of Thrones on its head.

It’s a look at what life is like in this grimy, broken world for those just trying to survive and Duncan is an effortlessly likeable underdog who is easy to root for.

When he encounters a mysterious young boy without any hair who he takes under his wing, his destiny changes forever.

With each episode clocking in at under 30 minutes it makes for a much lighter and easier viewing affair than the show that inspired it.

It’s also the funniest Game of Thrones has ever been. The dynamic between Duncan and his young companion (played by Dexter Sol Ansell) are endlessly entertaining.

Two misfits trying to hold their heads up with an innocent sense of honour in a world where dishonour rules.

There’s something almost Shrek-like in this duo’s noble quest. Strong disclaimer: That is not an endorsement to let kids watch it. 

Fans of Game of Thrones should know what they’re signing up for here. It may not gel with some, but for me this is the freshest the franchise has felt in a while.

By getting down in the dirt, Westeros has never felt more real and alive.

NETFLIX has also brought back one of its flagship shows to try and dominate the start of the streaming year.

That would be season four of Bridgerton, a series that’s come to carry the unique description of “delightful trash”.

Set in England’s regency era, this soapy period-piece follows eight well-to-do siblings in the quest for love, replete with eye-roll inducing dialogue and steamy romance scenes carefully crafted to set social media on fire. 

The intriguing thing about Bridgerton is that fans all seem to openly acknowledge it as not much more than a soap-opera in fancy costume and yet still they can’t look away from it.

Season three alone managed to rake in more than 100 million views and season four has confidently strutted its way to the top of Netflix’s charts in just days.

Netflix is well aware of the money to be made out of the Bridgerton siblings yet.

Season five and season six have already got the go ahead, so it seems like the creators are in no haste to wrap things up.

The show is therefore in an interesting position where it may just carve out a legacy as perhaps the ultimate prestige TV guilty pleasure. Now there’s a feather in Netflix’s cap.