Radio Times
type: channel
link: https://www.radiotimes.com
date: 2026-02-13T07:00:24.000Z
update period: hourly
update frequency: 1
update base: 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00
items: Meet the real-life muggles named Harry Potter
items: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner reveals one change from the books he considers a big mistake
items: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms release schedule: When is episode 5 out?
items: When is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms set? Game of Thrones timeline explained
items: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms star reveals unexpected connection to original Game of Thrones series
items: Baldur's Gate TV series in the works from The Last of Us showrunner – with one major twist
items: His Dark Materials writer reveals whether he could return to adapt Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust
items: Next huge fantasy TV series adaptation based on beloved book series gets major update
items: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 4 set for early release in the UK following US schedule shake-up
items: What is the Blackfyre Rebellion in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
items: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms stars break down episode 3's game-changing reveal: "He feels utterly betrayed"
items: Who are the Targaryens in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
items: Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 release schedule: When are new episodes out?
items: Harry Potter TV series has release window confirmed by HBO boss - and it's sooner than you might expect
items: God of War TV series adaptation casts its Odin and Thor - including a Homeland legend
items: Lucifer at 10: Tom Ellis breaks down beloved show's devoted fanbase, survival skills, and enduring legacy
items: Acclaimed literary fantasy universe from beloved author set for future adaptations on Apple TV in landmark deal
items: School Spirits stars reveal how they've influenced Maddie and Wally's fate in season 3
items: School Spirits season 3 release schedule: When is episode 4 on Paramount+?
items: Sex, violence and tragedy: What TV like Game of Thrones gets right – and very wrong – about medieval knights
items: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner reveals why there’s no concern about star Dexter Sol Ansell ageing as Egg
items: Harry Potter legend Ralph Fiennes reveals his pick to play Voldemort in TV series - but has he revealed who has been cast?
items: Where was A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms filmed?
items: House of the Dragon season 3: Release date speculation, cast and plot news
items: Jujutsu Kaisen season 3's Culling Game rules explained
items: Emmerdale and Boots star confirmed for major villain role in God of War TV series
items: Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 3 release date speculation and news
items: Harry Potter TV series: Release date speculation, casting & latest news
items: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner: "Season 1 was definitely written for George RR Martin"
items: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' most graphic scene so far makes a crucial point about the show

Meet the real-life muggles named Harry Potter
type: item
date: 2026-02-13T07:00:24.000Z
subject: Fantasy
subject: Movies
subject: News
subject: TV
subject: Contains Trailer
subject: Harry Potter (franchise)
description: How sharing a name with the Boy Who Lived transfigured the lives of a knighted criminal lawyer, a fitness guru and more.
encoded: This article was originally published on 29 March 2018, and the interviews carried out that year. Just before midnight on 1 November 1981, a rather severe-looking woman named Minerva McGonagall made a revelatory prediction. Although only a tabby cat mere minutes before, she was now standing beside a tall elderly man known as Albus Dumbledore, the two animatedly discussing the orphan baby they would soon leave on the darkened footsteps of number 4 Privet Drive. "This boy will be famous!” McGonagall whispered to her companion, who was placing yet another lemon drop in the mouth hiding beneath his flowing silver beard. "There will be books written about him – every child in our world will know his name!” She was, of course, completely correct. The baby, a young wizard called Harry Potter, would soon possess one of the most celebrated names on the planet. It was a name that became emblazoned across JK Rowling's novels, which went on to sell 500 million copies worldwide in 74 languages. Four syllables that would garner their own registered trademark and font. And even today, almost 30 years since The Philosopher's Stone was published, ‘Harry Potter’ is still a name more popular on Google than Donald Trump, Taylor Swift and Jesus Christ. Though, however right McGonagall's prophecy was, she had overlooked something huge. While the Boy Who Lived would soon bear the world’s most famous name, so too would a set of other Harry Potters across the country. The estimated 23 Harry Potters of voting age residing in the UK, for instance. Although having no dealings with Hogwarts, Hagrids, Horcruxes, Hedwigs, Hippogriffs or Hufflepuffs, these Harry Potters would forever now be entwined with conversations about the wizarding world – whether they wanted to or not. Is the name a permanent curse to their lives or simply a spellbinding conversation starter? Thanks to a few real Harry Potters, we don’t have to guess the answer to that question. We got to know five of these muggles – or at …

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner reveals one change from the books he considers a big mistake
type: item
date: 2026-02-11T11:59:37.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: News
subject: NOW
subject: Sky
description: Eagle-eyed fans think he's missed something key out of the show.
encoded: Despite A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms being the most faithful Game of Thrones adaptation so far, showrunner Ira Parker has admitted there's one change he made from the novella that he now feels is a mistake. Viewers have been dissecting the latest episodes of the HBO fantasy, which are based on George RR Martin's novella The Hedge Knight – and some eagle-eyed fans noticed an omission in the dialogue. In the novella, when Dunk (played in the series by Peter Claffey) is on his way to the joust, several smallfolk greet him as he goes. He then asks Steely Pate (Youssef Kerkour): "Why? Who am I to them?" Steely Pate responds: "A knight who remembered his vows.” During a recent Reddit AMA [Ask Me Anything], a fan described this as the "heart and soul" of the novella and asked Parker why it was left out. He responded: "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." In the same AMA, Parker also admitted another mistake – leaving Aerion and Maekar's personal coats of arms out of the series. When another fan pointed this out, Parker responded: "So far I've seen fans point out two mistakes in this show that I was unaware of. This is one of them. Definitely should have had Maekar's... that would have made it soooo easy to distinguish him in the fog. Whoops." Parker has been open about his efforts to keep the show as faithful as possible, even going so far as to tell Radio Times that season 1 of the show was written for Martin. He explained: “In this job you don’t try to write for a wide audience, because so many people like so many different things. “You pick a person, and you write for them. Season one was definitely written for George. The Hedge Kn…

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms release schedule: When is episode 5 out?
type: item
date: 2026-02-09T10:06:48.000Z
creator: David Craig
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: NOW
subject: On demand
description: New friends and foes await on this Westeros adventure...
encoded: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 is striding into its final act, with a whole new status quo after Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) revealed his true identity as Targaryen prince Aegon. In the words of showrunner Ira Parker, it leaves hedge knight Duncan (Peter Claffey) in a difficult position, as the "stable boy" that he'd been giving "a lot of s**t" suddenly becomes a figure of authority. "We've flipped the dynamic pretty significantly," the writer told GQ. "Obviously, [Dunk] has been betrayed in a number of ways, but also has to sort of grovel at the feet of this prince and be careful what he's doing here." Egg's deception could well have called an end to Dunk's mentorship, but recollections of his own turbulent youth are a major factor in his decision to find a path forward. "He knows that Ser Arlan took him on as a very much an unfinished product and saved his life," explained Parker. "Dunk would've been hung as some thief in Fleabottom before his 18th birthday if it hadn't been for Ser Arlan. "I think he has, when it comes to Egg, a lot of forgiveness in his heart. He feels as though Egg was sent to him so that he could do for this kid what Ser Arlan did for him and pay it forward." With all cards now on the table, there are just two chapters left in this quaint and charming Game of Thrones spin-off – here's when you can expect A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5, and an overview of the show's full release schedule. When is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5 on Sky and NOW? A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 5 will premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday 16th February 2026, debuting simultaneously with the US at 3am, followed by a repeat at 9pm that night. The regular schedule has resumed following an early launch on Friday of last week, to avoid a clash with the Super Bowl. How many episodes are in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 1 will consist of six episodes in total; a notably shorter run than most othe…

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When is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms set? Game of Thrones timeline explained
type: item
date: 2026-02-08T10:20:51.000Z
creator: Nicola Austin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Contains Trailer
subject: HBO
subject: NOW
subject: Sky
description: The latest chapter in HBO’s hit fantasy franchise has introduced two fan-favourite characters - but when is it set?
encoded: Despite the original series having come to an end seven years ago in 2019, the Game of Thrones universe has never felt more busy. Not only is prequel series House of the Dragon well underway, with a third season coming later this year, but a new addition to the franchise, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, has also just debuted. The new series, which has been warmly praised by author George RR Martin, is based on his Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. It introduces us to Ser Duncan the Tall — a hedge knight still finding his place in the world — and his sharp-witted young squire Egg, as the pair travel to a major tourney that will ultimately change both their lives. Across its opening four episodes, the series has established a smaller-scale, character-driven story, beginning with Dunk burying his former mentor and striking out alone, before forming an unlikely partnership with Egg on the road to Ashford. What initially feels like a grounded tale of knighthood and honour soon pulls in powerful Targaryen princes, brutal rivalries and an ancient Trial of Seven, firmly rooting the show in Westerosi history while keeping the focus on its two central heroes. As with House of the Dragon, fans should expect to encounter familiar family names rather than familiar faces. There are no returning Game of Thrones characters here, as the story is set in a markedly different period – and that will remain the case even in the already announced second season. But just how does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms fit into the wider timeline of George RR Martin’s world? Read on for a full guide to the show’s time period. When is A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms set on the Game of Thrones universe timeline? A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is set roughly a century before the first season of Game of Thrones, the award-winning series that launched the expanded fantasy franchise. The events of the show — which adapt the first tale of Ser Dunk the Tall (played by Peter Claffey) and his young squire Egg (…

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms star reveals unexpected connection to original Game of Thrones series
type: item
date: 2026-02-06T15:30:20.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: He also opens up about his "tortured" Targaryen character.
encoded: Warning: Spoilers ahead for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 4. As Daeron Targaryen comes to the forefront in this week's episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, actor Henry Ashton has revealed his connections to Westeros run a lot deeper than you might expect. The actor plays Daeron the Drunken, Egg's older brother, and one of the Targaryen princes responsible for Dunk's upcoming Trial of Seven. He also reveals to Dunk in episode 4 that he dreamed of him with a dead dragon – a moment that will hold a lot of importance in the episodes to come. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, actor Ashton revealed Daeron is not the first Thrones role he auditioned for, explaining: " I actually auditioned for the original Game of Thrones when I was either 17 or 18 in school – they came round all the schools to audition people. " It was for Jon Snow. I think they went to every school and auditioned every teenager!" In episode 4, Daeron reveals to Dunk that his dreams always have a way of coming true, which sheds a very disconcerting light on his dream about Dunk and a dead dragon ahead of the hedge knight's trial by combat. View Green Video on the source website Speaking about the importance of that particular premonition, Ashton explained: "Daeron doesn't quite know what his dreams mean, even he's confused by them. So when he has this premonition of a dead dragon, he makes assumptions of who that would be and what that means... He doesn't quite know what it means, but he knows it's not good for him or his family." Ashton pointed out: "He's one of those wonderfully flawed characters, which I just enjoy playing so much, because there's just so much behind what's there on the page. He sort of hides behind this dark, irreverent humour. But behind that is just a truly tortured soul." "It's a shame that such a great power – these dreams and premonitions that he has - are [given] to a man that is unfortunately unable to handle it," he continued. "I think he's he's a really i…

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Baldur's Gate TV series in the works from The Last of Us showrunner – with one major twist
type: item
date: 2026-02-06T10:42:45.000Z
creator: Rob Leane
subject: Fantasy
subject: Gaming
subject: Technology
subject: TV
subject: News
description: Who will Mazin gather for his party?
encoded: The video game Baldur’s Gate 3, a beloved 2023 role-playing experience set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons, is officially being adapted for TV. But there is a major twist to this tale! The basics of this news, as broken by Deadline, are fairly simple: Craig Mazin, who is currently making the third and final season of HBO’s The Last of Us, has landed the job of bringing BG3 to TV as his next gig at the same network. “After putting nearly 1,000 hours into the incredible world of Baldur’s Gate 3, it is a dream come true to be able to continue the story that Larian and Wizards of The Coast created,” Mazin is quoted as saying. He added: “I am a devoted fan of D&D and the brilliant way that [game director] Swen Vincke and his gifted team adapted it.” So far, this news is playing out exactly as you’d expect - an established TV showrunner, fresh off the back of one huge gaming adaptation, is lining up another game he loves for similar treatment. However, things get slightly more surprising when you dig into the details of what this TV series really is – instead of being a straight adaptation of Baldur’s Gate 3, the TV show is actually set after the events of the game. As Deadline explains it, “the Baldur’s Gate TV series will be a continuation to the games, telling a story that takes place immediately after the events of Baldur’s Gate 3, as the characters – old and new – are dealing with the ramifications of the events in the third game”. The mention of “old” characters is sure to get the fandom excited, given that BG3 cast members like Neil Newbon (Astarion), Devora Wilde (Lae’zel), Jennifer English (Shadowheart) and Samantha Béart (Karlach) have become beloved figures in the community in the years since the game launched. View Green Video on the source website Exactly how will this mix of “old and new” characters work? As Deadline puts it, the TV show “is expected to keep the D&D tradition of taking new characters who are not that powerful and follow their journey thro…

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His Dark Materials writer reveals whether he could return to adapt Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust
type: item
date: 2026-02-05T13:13:44.000Z
creator: James Hibbs
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: BBC
subject: BBC iPlayer
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Video
description: Jack Thorne was speaking with us for The Radio Times Writers' Room.
encoded: Writer Jack Thorne has taken on a number of high-profile adaptations over the years, with one of the most prominent being the BBC's three-season take on Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. Of course, Pullman's story doesn't end there – there's also the additional trilogy he wrote after completing those books, The Book of Dust, which expand upon the lore and the world he had already established. However, in spite of the material being ripe for adaptation – and the popularity of Thorne's previous work in Pullman's universe – the writer has now confirmed he has no plans to adapt The Book of Dust. Speaking with us exclusively for our video interview series The Radio Times Writers' Room, in which we get to know what makes screenwriters tick, Thorne was asked whether he could return to adapt The Book of Dust, to which he said: "No, I think that's for another writer now". "I think that I've done all I can in that world, and I think that it needs a different energy than the energy I've got," he said. View Green Video on the source website When asked whether he was daunted taking on the His Dark Materials adaptation, he said: "I’d just done [Harry] Potter [and the Cursed Child]. So yes, it was. It was daunting for two reasons. One, I thought, 'I'm not sure it's a good idea to do this straight after doing Harry Potter on stage', but I love those books so much. "And it wasn't like I campaigned. I had a conversation with Julie [Gardner], who works at Bad Wolf, and Julie was like, 'I think you should talk to Jane [Tranter, executive producer]'. And it was literally that conversation of, 'I love these books, and these are the reasons why I love these books'. And then she said, 'We should do it together'. "And it was one of those sorts of dreamy things that you don't really think about too much at the time - and Potter was exactly the same for me and [director] John Tiffany - where it was like, 'Oh, OK'. And then suddenly you're doing it, and you haven't had time to sort of have …

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Next huge fantasy TV series adaptation based on beloved book series gets major update
type: item
date: 2026-02-05T12:51:14.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: News
description: Redemption for the 2006 film is inbound...
encoded: Eragon fans, rejoice! The upcoming live-action series based on the beloved fantasy novel has just had a major update. Christopher Paolini's story about a farm boy who stumbles across a dragon egg has secured its showrunners - Todd Harthan and Todd Helbing. Harthan has previously worked on series including High Potential, Crossover, and The Company You Keep, meanwhile Helbing previously served as an executive producer on Superman & Lois and The Flash. Harthan is also set as a co-creator on the show alongside author Paolini. Marc Webb will serve as an executive producer, alongside Rachel Moore. It was first announced that an Eragon series was in development in 2022. In 2006, the novel was adapted into a feature film, which massively divided fans. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com in 2023, Paolini opened up about how the series will be different from the film. "Some of my fans are going to hate for me to say this, but the original film is not really a bad film. But where it fails is it's not a great adaptation, and that's ultimately the problem," he told us. View Green Video on the source website "In a new adaptation I want - I mean, this is pie in the sky dreaming, of course - but I would want to capture the feel of the characters, the emotion of the story and the grandeur of the locations, something that I think the original film really fell down on, as it stripped out a lot of the elements that actually made Eragon unique, which is problematic given that since this is an archetypal hero's story, there are a lot of familiar elements." Paolini added: "You need to embrace the things that do make it special. One very small example, I say small but it's actually large, is with locations. Eragon and his companions end up travelling to a place where [there are] these absolutely gigantic, staggeringly large mountains, which are about 10 miles high. "And there's magical reasons for that in the world. I know that can't happen in the real world but visually, it's a stunni…

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 4 set for early release in the UK following US schedule shake-up
type: item
date: 2026-02-03T16:56:33.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: News
subject: NOW
subject: Sky Atlantic
description: Viewers will be heading back to Westeros sooner than expected…
encoded: HBO has confirmed that this week’s episode of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be dropping earlier than expected to avoid clashing with Super Bowl Sunday. The fourth episode of the show will still air on HBO on Sunday 8th February in its usual 10pm time slot, but will be released on the streaming site at 12:01am PT on Friday 6th February. This will come as good news to fans of the series who can't wait for future instalments following episode 3’s game-changing reveal, which finally solved one of the show's biggest mysteries. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the third series in the A Song of Ice and Fire franchise and is based on the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. Set 100 years before Game of Thrones, and 72 years after House of the Dragon, the six-part series follows Dunk and his resourceful squire “Egg” as they head on a big adventure through the Seven Kingdoms. The 60th Super Bowl will see the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks fight for the Lombardi Trophy at Levi's Stadium on Sunday. It will air on NBC and Peacock. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 is already in production, with the instalment expected to premiere before the end of next year. And it looks like there could be further seasons on the horizon, despite the fact that George RR Martin has only published three Dunk and Egg novellas so far. Showrunner Ira Parker recently revealed that there are 12 outlines from the author to form the basis of future seasons. He told Radio Times magazine: "George has laid out… He has a document of everything that happens, basically, for 13, 14, 15 of these novellas. He just has to get to writing these." He continued: "The nice thing is, we know what the ending is. We know the journeys that they go no. We would never be left making anything up. We would just have a looser road map than what we have right now. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is available to watch on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Add A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA…

What is the Blackfyre Rebellion in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
type: item
date: 2026-02-02T10:05:01.000Z
creator: Nicola Austin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
description: Everything you need to know!
encoded: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - the second prequel in HBO’s hit Game of Thrones franchise - has thrust viewers back into the world of Westeros, but in a fascinating new era. The latest George R.R. Martin adaptation charts the misadventures of Ser Duncan ‘Dunk’ the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his young squire Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) as they enter the Ashford tourney in search of fortune. The amusing - and surprisingly grounded - events take place in an uncharted time, as the show is the first series to not feature any dragons, with the last one dying in 153 AC (After Conquest). Set roughly 80 years after the conclusion of the Targaryen civil war in House of the Dragon - and a further 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones - the latest series paints Westeros in relative peace under King Daeron II Targaryen’s rule. But that’s not to say it’s been plain sailing for House Targaryen, as the Great House has certainly endured its fair share of in-fighting and unrest (yes - again!), following the Blackfyre Rebellion. Here is everything you need to know about the Blackfyre Rebellion in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. What is the Blackfyre Rebellion in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? The Blackfyre Rebellion was another major civil war within House Targaryen, sparked by a succession crisis following the death of King Aegon IV Targaryen - you’d think they’d have learned by now after the Dance of Dragons! Often considered one of the worst Targaryen rulers, Aegon IV legitimised all of his bastard children on his deathbed, destabilising the line of succession and setting the stage for conflict. This triggered Daemon Blackfyre, one of his legitimised sons, to declare himself the rightful heir over his trueborn half-brother, King Daeron II Targaryen, igniting yet another war for the Iron Throne. Tensions were further fuelled by Aegon IV’s earlier decision to gift Daemon the Valyrian steel sword Blackfyre - which has been the ancestral blade of House Targaryen. Daemon Blackfyre l…

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms stars break down episode 3's game-changing reveal: "He feels utterly betrayed"
type: item
date: 2026-02-02T04:00:48.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Contains Trailer
subject: HBO
subject: News
description: Did you see it coming?
encoded: *Warning: Spoilers ahead for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode 3.* The big reveal that fans have been waiting for has finally come in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - and Egg's (Dexter Sol Ansell) weird behaviour around the Targyaryens has officially been explained. Yes, the young squire accompanying Peter Claffey's hedge knight Dunk revealed at the end of the episode that he is not just Egg, but Prince Aegon, youngest son of Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell). Everyone, let out that breath you've been holding! Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press, Claffey explained a little about what that game-changing reveal means for the pair. "Dunk has absolutely zero idea," he explained. "It's a shock realisation of what's going on, and the way that Ira [Parker, showrunner] wrote it - he's having a conversation with Raymun just before about Makear's kids and how much of a disaster they all are, and the way it's built up like, 'And the youngest!' It's so well done. "But I think Dunk just feels completely and utterly betrayed, I suppose. While being sort of in awe of him, and sort of like, 'Oh, my god, he saved my life,' there's just complete betrayal there, because he knew exactly how dangerous it would be for for Dunk to be seen bringing him around as a squire, or potentially giving him a clout in the ear, or asking him to do all these different things when he's a prince of the realm. So I think it's just betrayal." Despite the gravity of that moment, Ansell admits it was much more light-hearted on set. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, he revealed: "When I first read that, and my mun was reading it to me, I was like, 'Oh, wow,' because I knew he was a Targaryen from the start, but I was like, 'Oh, this is the reveal. I'm ready for this.' "So then on the day, when we're there, it's a night shoot, and it's very late for me because I'm just a kid. I was nine then, so I got very tired easily, and this was, like, at midnight. So the director brought these fizzy gummy …

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Who are the Targaryens in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms?
type: item
date: 2026-02-01T11:25:19.000Z
creator: Nicola Austin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: Sky
description: A new era of Westeros brings with it a new generation of troubled Targaryens.
encoded: Ever since Game of Thrones, the on-screen world of Westeros hasn't been lacking in troubled individuals from one particular great family - the Targaryens. First, there was Daenerys and Viserys in Game of Thrones. Then, there was a whole boatload of them in House of the Dragon, the ongoing prequel series approaching its third season. Now, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has introduced us to some more, who come in to contact with Peter Claffey's Ser Duncan ‘Dunk’ the Tall and Dexter Sol Ansell's Egg. The series is set roughly 90 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and explores a whole new era of Westeros in which House Targaryen still rules the (largely peaceful) realm, albeit without the terrifying might of dragons. But which Targaryen currently resides on the Iron Throne, and who are entering the tourney as contestants? Here is everything you need to know about the Targaryens in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Who are the key Targaryens in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms? <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2026/01/0205AKOTSKS01-74e8f08.jpg" width="6000" height="4000" alt="Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor Targaryen, Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" title="Finn Bennett as Aerion Targaryen, Bertie Carvel as Prince Baelor Targaryen, Sam Spruell as Prince Maekar Targaryen in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" /> A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms features several notable members from House Targaryen as they journey to Ashford for the festivities. At this point in Westerosi history, King Daeron II Targaryen – known as Daeron the Good – rules the Iron Throne alongside his wife, Queen Myriah Martell. Set around 13 years after the end of the first Blackfyre Rebellion, the realm remains shadowed by the conflict, with lingering resentments and divided loyalties continuing to influence events – particularly among the more volatile members of the royal family. Prince Baelor …

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Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 release schedule: When are new episodes out?
type: item
date: 2026-02-01T10:13:27.000Z
creator: Nicola Austin
subject: Anime
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Contains Trailer
description: The Culling Games are about to begin!
encoded: After a long wait, Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 has finally arrived, bringing the latest edition of one of the biggest anime series in the world back to our screens once more. The dark, supernatural action anime based on the equally popular manga series by Gege Akutami, Jujutsu Kaisen follows Yuji Itadori as he learns to wield jujutsu sorcery. After eating a cursed finger to save his classmate, Yuji gains supernatural powers and is enrolled in Tokyo Jujutsu High School to develop his skills and fight cursed spirits. Season 2 saw the culmination of the Shibuya Incident, an attack orchestrated by the ancient curse user Kenjaku, with the most powerful jujutsu sorcerer Satoru Gojo left sealed in the Prison Realm. If you've been patiently waiting for the story to continue, here's what you need to know about Jujutsu Kaisen season 3's release schedule. What is the Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 release schedule? New episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 began airing on Thursday 8 January 2026, with the premiere launching on streaming service Crunchyroll. The first two episodes were released together as a double bill. The show’s official X account has since confirmed that season 3 will be split into multiple parts, with Culling Game Arc Part 1 consisting of 12 episodes in total, running from 8 January to 26 March 2026. If the third season follows a similar release strategy to season 2, the rumoured 24-episode run could be split into two cours, with a standard three-month broadcast break between arcs. While this schedule remains subject to change, we'd expect the release schedule to look like this: Culling Game Arc Part 1: Episode 1 - Execution – 8 January 2026 Episode 2 - One More Time – 8 January 2026 Episode 3 - About the Culling Game - 15 January 2026 Episode 4 – Perfect Preparation - 22 January 2026 Episode 5 – 29 January 2026 Episode 6 – 5 February 2026 Episode 7 – 12 February 2026 Episode 8 – 19 February 2026 Episode 9 – 26 February 2026 Episode 10 – 5 March 2026 Episode 11 – 12 Ma…

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Harry Potter TV series has release window confirmed by HBO boss - and it's sooner than you might expect
type: item
date: 2026-01-31T10:30:30.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
description: The boy wizard is returning to screens in 2027.
encoded: The Harry Potter TV series has officially had its release window confirmed by HBO boss Casey Bloys. The upcoming series, which see youngster Dominic McLaughlin take over the role of the boy wizard, will hit screens in "early 2027," Bloys has confirmed. During a recent interview with Deadline, Bloys decided to "narrow down" the window, saying: “We’ve been saying 2027. I would say, to narrow it down to some extent, early 2027. And now you’re going to ask, does that mean January, February, March, April, that we’re not ready to say. I’ll say early 2027.” News has gradually been emerging about the new adaptation of JK Rowling's novels, with it recently being confirmed that Hans Zimmer and his collective of composers, named Bleeding Fingers, are tapped to compose the score for the series. Meanwhile, much like the original films, a whole host of British acting royalty will be bringing the characters to life. Newcomers Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout will play will play Hermione and Ron, while John Lithgow is set to play Albus Dumbledore. We'll also see Nick Frost take on the role of half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, with Paapa Essiedu as Snape and Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall. One role that's still a little up in the air is that of dark wizard Voldemort - although it's been widely rumoured that Cillian Murphy has been cast, with original Voldemort actor Ralph Fiennes recently adding fuel to the fire. Harry Potter author JK Rowling has faced backlash in some quarters due to her views on transgender rights. In 2020, she published a lengthy statement detailing her stance on sex and gender debates – the essay was criticised and disputed by LGBTQ+ charities including Stonewall. Rowling has also shared her views on social media, including in a 2024 post on X (formerly Twitter), in which she insisted that “there are no trans kids” and opposed the idea that a child can be “born in the wrong body”. In May 2025, Rowling set up the JK Rowling Women’s Fund, which describes itself as…

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God of War TV series adaptation casts its Odin and Thor - including a Homeland legend
type: item
date: 2026-01-30T13:53:22.000Z
creator: Cole Luke
subject: Fantasy
subject: Gaming
subject: Technology
subject: TV
subject: Amazon Prime Video
description: The God of Thunder and the All-Father take the stage.
encoded: After the recent announcement that Ryan Hurst was cast as Kratos in the Prime Video God of War TV adaptation, we’re now getting more details on who else we can expect to join the project to fill the large mythical Viking boots of Odin and Thor. Fittingly, considering Icelands close relation to Norse mythology, Severance actor and Icelander Ólafur Darri Ólafsson has been cast as Thor, God of Thunder. Ólafsson himself is a fan of the God of War games from Santa Monica Studio, writing on Facebook: "I have had so much fun playing these games and to get to be part of telling the tale by playing the god of thunder is sort of a dream come true. Cannot wait to work with all the talented people behind this series!" As per Prime Video's character description: "The God of Thunder is a mountain of a man who has weathered many a battle in his time but whose actions in a war fought long ago now haunt his waking hours." Prior to the events of the game, Thor was "once the loyal soldier of Asgard and his father’s right-hand man", but during the events of the game and TV adaptation, "Thor is now but a shadow of his former self as he drowns himself in alcohol and tries not to think of the price he paid. Keeping his wife and children at arm’s length has only deepened his isolation, but the power (and danger) of the God of Thunder is still there just beneath the surface." But as for Odin, the 'All-Father', it is American Mandy Patinkin, known for his portrayal of CIA officer Saul Berenson in Homeland, that will wield Gungnir. Prime Video describes Odin as: "not physically imposing or particularly god-like: but looks can be deceiving. He is the most powerful Aesir god, a patriarch who leads with an iron fist, and an unrivalled seeker of knowledge." As Kratos' son Aesir discovers, Odin is "paranoid, manipulative, and dangerous" and "he will do anything to try and prevent Ragnarök, the Norse end of days." Both in the game and in the series, Odin "serves as a formidable antagonist to Kratos…

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Lucifer at 10: Tom Ellis breaks down beloved show's devoted fanbase, survival skills, and enduring legacy
type: item
date: 2026-01-29T14:57:09.000Z
creator: Tilly Pearce
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Interview
description: Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes for the show’s 10th anniversary, Tom Ellis opens up about the show’s survival instincts – and the role he almost played instead.
encoded: “Heeeeeeellllo…. Tell me, what is it you truly desire?” With a devilish grin and twinkle in his eye, the world was introduced to Lucifer back in January 2016. Missing the horns, fire and brimstone typically associated with the ruler of Hell, this devil came immaculately dressed in a razor-sharp suit, soundtracked to Cage the Elephant’s Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked, while speeding through Los Angeles in a slick, 1962 Chevrolet Corvette. In less than a minute, Tom Ellis, who plays the titular character, establishes this version of the Devil as fun and mischievous, with viewers in for a good time. 10 years on, Lucifer Morningstar has become the most defining character of Ellis’s career, and he holds it like a badge of honour, with the show’s apt enduring legacy becoming that of the power of a devoted fanbase, having a little faith, and resurrection. “I can't believe it,” he says. “I mean, it feels like it's been around forever, and at the same time, I can't believe it's only 10 years since we started. I remember the whole experience pretty vividly.” The Devil’s In The Details Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, Ellis acknowledges Lucifer was an opportunity that almost passed him by. Before being cast, his heart’s desire was somewhere else entirely. “I’d read this Sarah Silverman pilot HBO was doing, and I was dead set: That's what I wanted to do,” he explains. “I remember they'd told me I was a bit young for it, but I was like, ‘just get me in a room with Sarah’. “I flew to New York, met Sarah, went through this whole audition process with her, had a great time… then I got a call later, saying she thinks you're too young for it.” “At the airport I had several scripts to look at for the next potential thing, and I pulled this script out with ‘Lucifer’ on the front,” he adds. “I thought, ‘Jesus, here we go, what's this load of old rubbish I'm about to open?’ “But by about the third page I'd laughed out loud several times, and was like, ‘Oh my God, I think this might …

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Acclaimed literary fantasy universe from beloved author set for future adaptations on Apple TV in landmark deal
type: item
date: 2026-01-29T13:03:25.000Z
creator: Nicola Austin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: News
description: Apple TV is looking to the Cosmere for its next epic fantasy hit.
encoded: With fantasy adaptations proving prime real estate for streaming services and networks – courtesy of HBO’s wildly popular take on George RR Martin’s beloved Game of Thrones novels and prequels – it looks like Apple TV is staking its claim as the next major fantasy franchise home. Not content with adapting Isaac Asimov’s sprawling epic Foundation, Hugh Howey’s Wool trilogy and Martha Well’s The Murderbot Diaries, the streaming service has reportedly turned to beloved fantasy author Brandon Sanderson for its next big instalment. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Apple TV has closed an “unprecedented deal” to secure the rights to Sanderson’s Cosmere – an interconnected fictional literary universe comprising 24 novels, several series, graphic novels, short stories and novellas. The streamer is reportedly looking to first adapt the Mistborn series for film and The Stormlight Archive series for television, with a treasure trove of books across the Cosmere’s various sagas to draw from. The author revealed that this isn’t the first time he has taken the project’s rights to Hollywood, noting in a recent statement that he originally sought a partner for the adaptation back in 2016. He also discussed his reasons for choosing Apple TV, explaining that the streamer wants to be “a true partner” and that he feels “they really get what I want to do” offering the right levels of approvals and control over the adaptations. View oEmbed on the source website He went on to praise the platform’s track record of high quality shows, adding: “Apple does fewer things, but with higher quality, than some other studios.” “I find virtually everything of theirs I watch is excellent and creator driven,” he continued. Sanderson also shared an update on the next five months, revealing that he will be writing the Mistborn screenplay as his full time focus. He reassured fans, however, that he will "focus on doing it carefully and right". “I promise not to get too distracted to do books. However, if…

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School Spirits stars reveal how they've influenced Maddie and Wally's fate in season 3
type: item
date: 2026-01-28T10:00:27.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Exclusive
subject: News
subject: Paramount Plus
subject: Video
encoded: School is officially back in session in School Spirits season 3 - and, by this point, stars Peyton List and Milo Manheim know exactly where they want their characters to go. The supernatural drama is set to pick up after the massive cliffhanger that saw Maddie (List) return to her body, while Simon (Kristian Flores) is now the one trapped in the afterlife. Meanwhile, Wally's (Manheim) fate was left up the air. Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com about what's to come in season 3, List and Manheim revealed their requests and questions for the show's creative team. Manheim told us: "They want to hear about what we think makes sense for our characters. "I feel like Wally, in the past, has always been such a team player and down for anything, but I told them he's always sort of a step behind figuring things out, and this season, I'd love for him to be a step ahead. I'd love for him not only to go along with a plan, but maybe come up with a plan. "I think that they really took that note well, and I think we see that happen this season. It's a very adventurous season for Wally." Asked whether Maddie will be helping Simon this season like he helped her, List explained: "That was my first question for the creators and the directors as well! I just wanted to make sure that Maddie is fighting for Simon as hard as he fought for her. "But she has so many other concerns and worries with this new superintendent at the school and with her relationship with her mother... "[She has] so many things that Simon kind of ends up...she's so worried about him, but there's so many other things happening." As for what this all means for Maddie and Wally's relationship? "Wally's really going on his own individual journey this season," Manheim says. "He's done a lot of helping out for others, and I think it's time he starts thinking about himself and putting his needs first. We're definitely a new side of Wally this season." As List points out, Maddie has more than ever to deal with this sea…

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School Spirits season 3 release schedule: When is episode 4 on Paramount+?
type: item
date: 2026-01-28T08:00:23.000Z
creator: James Hibbs
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: On demand
subject: Paramount Plus
description: Maddie and her friends are investigating an even deeper, darker mystery this time around.
encoded: Hit Paramount+ fantasy teen drama, School Spirits, is back for its third season, which sees Peyton List's Maddie and her friends being plunged into a deeper, darker mystery as the veil between worlds grows dangerously thin. The synopsis for season 3 says: "After clawing her way back to life, Maddie struggles with terrifying visions and the weight of protecting both the living and the dead while Simon – trapped in the afterlife – becomes obsessed with the secrets buried in Split River High’s scars. "Why have so many people died at Split River High? What was Mr Martin warning them about? As they search for answers, new dangers and dark secrets begin to surface." The first three episodes are available to watch now, but when will the rest of the instalments become available, and what is the full release schedule for season 3? Read on for everything you need to know about the release schedule for School Spirits season 3. When will School Spirits season 3 episode 4 be released? School Spirits season 3 began with three episode being released at once on Wednesday 28th January. Since then, it has switched to a weekly release schedule. This means episode 4, titled The Bereftest Club, will be released on Wednesday 4th February on Paramount+. How many episodes will there be in School Spirits season 3? There will be a total of eight episodes in School Spirits season 3. This is also the same number of episodes that were featured in the first and second seasons of the show, which were released in 2023 and 2025 respectively. School Spirits season 3 release schedule The first three episodes of School Spirits season 3 were released on Wednesday 28th January, following which the show has switched to a weekly release schedule on Wednesdays. This means the season will run through until Wednesday 4th March, when the finale will become available on Paramount+. You can find the full release schedule for School Spirits season 3 right here: School Spirits season 3 episode 1 - It's a Wonderfu…

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Sex, violence and tragedy: What TV like Game of Thrones gets right – and very wrong – about medieval knights
type: item
date: 2026-01-26T11:00:06.000Z
creator: Louise Griffin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: NOW
subject: Sky
description: It's time to sort the fact from the fantasy.
encoded: At a first glance, the world of Westeros doesn't exactly scream historical accuracy. It might be the dragons... But, just for a moment, put that to one side, look at the texture of Westeros, and you'll no doubt see how inspired George RR Martin was by Europe in the Middle Ages in writing his series A Song of Ice and Fire (which has been adapted into Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and potentially more...). From the politics and the tournaments, to quieter elements like the danger of childbirth, Westeros borrows plenty from real-life – but, as with any TV or film adaptation, there's also a lot it gets wrong, exaggerates, switches up, or misses out. So, to find out what's fact and what's fantasy, RadioTimes.com caught up with Dr Hugh Doherty, Lecturer in Medieval History at UEA (who consulted on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms) and Dr Thomas Asbridge, historian at Queen Mary University of London – and what they told us might just surprise you. Tournaments were not as violent as you'd think It's not unusual for jousting tournaments to be depicted as bloody affairs – but that's not quite the truth. "They were meant to be bloodless," Dr Doherty points out. "The emphasis was on capturing your enemies in the field or unhorsing them as the tournament rules develop over the 14th century, and violence was shunned – but [accidents] did happen, and there are charges of murder. "The very famous example is where a knight in 1252 ran his lance into the throat of the opposing knight. They'd all agreed to use blunted lances and swords, which was a development of the late 12th century, and he had not used a blunted lance. "He'd used a pointed lethal lance. And so this knight was suspected of murder. So there are instances of where knights and noblemen used this as a way of settling scores." Earlier melees, though? That's where the violence came in. Dr Asbridge explains: "Often it said's, for Game of Thrones, that [the medieval equivalent is] the 1…

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner reveals why there’s no concern about star Dexter Sol Ansell ageing as Egg
type: item
date: 2026-01-26T10:57:13.000Z
creator: James Hibbs
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: News
subject: NOW
subject: On demand
subject: Sky
description: Egg star Dexter Sol Ansell was nine years old when he began acting in the first season of the Game of Thrones spin-off.
encoded: Given how long it can take to film a season of TV, let along multiple seasons, there's always one big potential problem with long-running series that star child actors. They grow up. This was certainly the case with Stranger Things, with the show taking 10 years to film and release, despite taking place over four years. The central child characters went from being 12 to 16, while the actors playing them were in their early 20s come the final season. Now, some are concerned that the same situation will affect A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the new Game of Thrones prequel/spin-off series, which stars worried as one half of the central duo, Egg. However, showrunner Ira Parker isn't among them. Parker spoke to Variety, and was asked whether he was worried about Ansell, who was nine when he filmed in season 1, ageing out of the role of Egg. He said: "Dexter is going to have whatever career he decides that he wants. He’s so talented. He’s come in season 2 like an old pro. He’s so confident, calm, and he can give you different versions now. He’s really come into himself. I think he’s the best child actor on Earth, there’s no doubt about it." Parker continued: "The planned books that George has take Dunk and Egg through their whole lives. I’ve joked about this with HBO, to which I’ve definitely got some eye rolls, but I would love to do three, four or five seasons with Egg the boy and then come back in five or 10 years and do a few more with Egg the prince. "Then come back in five or 10 years from then and do him at the end of his life — Linklater method. They go off, do whatever they want to do in between, they can have lives, then we come back and get the crew back together and we tell a little bit more of the story because I think it would be really interesting. "The idea of taking two people on a journey through their lives, I haven’t seen a lot of that. But I embrace the oldening of Dexter and Egg. He’ll grow older with the character; he’s supposed to get older. Hopef…

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Harry Potter legend Ralph Fiennes reveals his pick to play Voldemort in TV series - but has he revealed who has been cast?
type: item
date: 2026-01-26T10:38:30.000Z
creator: Molly Moss
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: News
subject: On demand
description: The actor appeared to let the cat out of the bag.
encoded: Ralph Fiennes has appeared to reveal who has been cast as Voldemort in the upcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation. Rumours have been rife about who could be portraying 'He Who Cannot Be Named' in the series following the casting of the three young leads, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape and many of the other major players. Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy was previously rumoured to be being considered for the role, but the actor recently denied speculation that he was involved. But speaking in a recent interview at an event, Fiennes, who portrayed the iconic villain in the film series, appeared to let the cat out of the bag. Asked who he thinks should fill his shoes for Voldemort – who doesn't technically appear in person until Harry Potter's fourth book, The Goblet of Fire – in the upcoming HBO show, Fiennes responded: "Well, I’m told they’re already filled, aren’t they?" When the journalist asked the question again, Ralph responded: "I’ve already said, I think Cillian Murphy is very good." He continued: "Very good. Very good choice. I think they’ve cast it, haven’t they?" As it dawned on the actor that the casting of Voldemort is yet to be revealed, he added: “I don’t know. I thought they had." The leading three stars of the upcoming TV series were confirmed back in May after months of speculation. The show will be led by newcomers Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. McLaughlin has appeared in Sky Original comedy Grow, while Stanton may be familiar to some musical fans, having appeared in the West End production of Matilda, as well as the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of Starlight Express. Stout has appeared in TV advertisements. Other previously announced castings include John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer (Tumbleweeds) as Minerva McGonagall, Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead) as Rubeus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell and Paul Whitehouse (The Fast Show) as Argus Filch. Harry Pott…

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Where was A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms filmed?
type: item
date: 2026-01-25T10:30:44.000Z
creator: David Craig
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: NOW
subject: On demand
description: HBO's latest fantasy drama was a homecoming for the Game of Thrones franchise.
encoded: There's a new expansion to the on-air world of Game of Thrones with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, telling the story of Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). While they're not fighting for ultimate power, they do have a fun adventure and a story of unlikely friendship in this unique entry into the Westerosi universe. Another remarkable thing to note about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is that it's absolutely stunning, with gorgeous settings as a backdrop to the fun. If you're in the mood for an odyssey of your own, here's our guide to the locations of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms - and in good news for UK readers, it's pretty accessible for you. Where was A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms filmed? HBO's brand new drama A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms was primarily filmed in Belfast, Northern Ireland; a location that holds a long history with the Game of Thrones franchise. The original series, which began production back in 2010, relied on the impressive Paint Hall Studios in Belfast's Titanic Quarter as a key base for its filming, along with several other locations across Northern Ireland (and further afield). Famously, the success of the fantasy drama led to a spike in tourism to the region, as fans flocked to get a glimpse of the real-life locations that had helped to bring George RR Martin's novels to life. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms represents a homecoming in that sense, returning to the sprawling media campus of the Titanic Quarter and even bringing back "some of the same crew" from the original series (according to BBC Culture). View Green Video on the source website Belfast won't be losing its Game of Thrones connection in the immediate term either, as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 is currently filming in and around the Northern Irish capital (as of December 2025). HBO handed the high-profile drama a renewal well in advance of its premiere as a show of confidence in the franchise's latest iteration. That bol…

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House of the Dragon season 3: Release date speculation, cast and plot news
type: item
date: 2026-01-24T22:50:40.000Z
creator: Aimee Hart
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: HBO
subject: Sky Atlantic
description: Keep up with the Targaryens with our House of Dragon season 3 guide.
encoded: *Warning: Spoilers ahead for all episodes of House of the Dragon season 2.* House of the Dragon season 3 is on its way this year! The spin-off to Game of Thrones, which tackles the Targaryen civil war, the Dance of Dragons, hundreds of years before the arrival of Queen Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), has been away from our screens for two years but will soon be back for new episodes. The last season ended with a brutal battle being prepared for as the forces of the Blacks, allied to Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), and the Greens, allied to her wounded younger half-brother King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney). So, if you're waiting for House of the Dragon season 3 and the future of the Targaryen dynasty, and, most importantly, make sure to check back regularly as we'll be updating this guide with more information as it gets revealed. House of the Dragon season 3 release date speculation House of the Dragon season 3 is due to be released in Summer 2026. Actor Matt Smith suggested that the episodes would be released in August 2026, but this has yet to be confirmed by HBO. House of the Dragon was renewed for season 3 in June 2024, before season 2 had even been released, demonstrating tremendous faith in the Thrones spin-off. The series is set to return for a fourth and final season, too. In the meantime, the new spin-off series A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has begun airing on HBO in the US and on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK. Who will be in the cast of House of the Dragon season 3? Currently, the following cast members are confirmed for House of the Dragon season 3. Matt Smith as King Consort Daemon Targaryen Emma D'Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra I Targaryen Olivia Cooke as Dowager Queen Alicent Hightower Rhys Ifans as Ser Otto Hightower Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria Matthew Needham as Lord Larys Strong Tom Glynn-Carney as King Aegon II Targaryen Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen …

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Jujutsu Kaisen season 3's Culling Game rules explained
type: item
date: 2026-01-23T09:40:45.000Z
creator: David Opie
subject: Anime
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
description: Confused? You're not alone!
encoded: The latest episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen have hit like a train, yet not a single punch was thrown. Following Yuta Okkotsu's addition to the team, Yuji Itadori and the gang suddenly find themselves front row at an episode-long lecture about the impending apocalypse. As the freaky-looking Tengen explains, The Culling Game they're about to enter is a Battle Royale-style deathmatch that will span the entire nation of Japan. That means it's a big deal for every sorcerer who takes part, plus all of us watching back home too. But boy there are a lot of rules. To be fair, the animators do an incredible job of keeping us entertained without any cursed battling in sight. Flow charts have never come with so much aura. Still though. It's a lot. The rules flashed up ever so briefly in the first two episodes, but for those of us who don't wish to pause and read text longer than the Bible, I'm on hand to break down Kenjaku's plan in more detail. What is The Culling Game? The tournament isn't your typical anime showdown. The ancient sorcerer Kenjaku, aka, the guy who ruined all our lives in season two's Shibuya Incident, has been planning this battle royale for centuries. His goal is to pit 1000 sorcerers against each other in a game where anyone can die at any point. Even Kenjaku can snuff it, but if he does, The Culling Game will continue anyway, generating enough cursed energy for him to transform the whole of Japan into one singular cursed entity. The wildest thing about all this is that he's essentially doing it all for giggles because not even Kenjaku knows what will happen after this. Yuji, Megumi Fushiguro and the gang want to stop this because, well, you can guess why already. But they also want to specifically save Megumi's sister, Tsumiki, who is now one of the many humans who Kenjaku awakened as a sorcerer at the end of season 2. And the odds of surviving a game with "Culling" in the name seems unlikely. There's also the matter of Satoru Gojo, the blue-eyed wonder who was …

Emmerdale and Boots star confirmed for major villain role in God of War TV series
type: item
date: 2026-01-22T12:50:47.000Z
creator: Nicola Austin
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: News
description: Enter Heimdall, the Watchman of Asgard!
encoded: Hot on the heels of announcing titular protagonist Kratos alongside Thor’s wife Sif, Prime Video has revealed another major role for its upcoming God of War series with its latest casting news. Deadline has confirmed that Emmerdale and Boots star Max Parker is the latest actor to join the cast of Prime Video’s upcoming God of War TV adaptation, alongside Ryan Hurst and Teresa Palmer. Parker will be playing Heimdall Odinson, the Watchman of Asgard and one of Odin’s sons – a major antagonist in the Sony video game franchise who proves a key obstacle to Kratos and his son, Atreus. Described as “handsome and dynamic” but “unappreciated by his father and underestimated by the rest of the family” the character is driven by a desire to earn the favour of his father and family, and, as a result, improve his position within the hierarchy of the famous Norse dynasty. Although Heimdall does not feature in the 2018 God of War game, he plays a major role as the Herald of Ragnarök in the 2022 sequel God of War Ragnarök, as the father-and-son duo set out to end the reign of Odin, King of Asgard. Fans who have yet to play the award-winning video games may recognise the character from Idris Elba’s portrayal in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but this is a very different take on Heimdall, who is depicted as a far more detestable villain in the God of War franchise. Following breakout roles in British soaps Casualty and Emmerdale, Parker has gone on to star as Mikhail Tanner in Peacock’s fantasy horror series Vampire Academy, as Sgt Sullivan in Netflix’s military comedy drama Boots, and as Manny in the fifteenth series of Doctor Who. The upcoming TV adaptation from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios - which has already been renewed for a second season - will focus on the franchise’s Norse era. With this latest casting announcement, it appears that the series will be integrating Heimdall much earlier in the story. The series comes from Outlander and For All Mankind writer a…

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 3 release date speculation and news
type: item
date: 2026-01-22T10:55:49.000Z
creator: David Craig
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Contains Trailer
subject: Disney Plus
subject: On demand
description: Everything we know so far about The Titan's Curse.
encoded: Warning: the following article contains spoilers for Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians has wrapped its Sea of Monsters arc on Disney+, with all eyes now turning to the third chapter in this flashy adaptation. Following the action-packed season 2 finale – and that unexpected twist involving Thalia (Tamara Smart) – fans were treated to an exciting reveal midway through the credits. Based on the beloved Rick Riordan books, the story chronicles the formative years of demigod Percy (Walker Scobell) as he gets to know the wild world of ancient Greek gods to which he belongs. The series has proven a breakout hit for Disney+, so it's no surprise that a third season is currently in production in Vancouver – and further along than you might expect! Indeed, with its stars growing up fast and its viewers eager to see every book adapted to the screen, the team behind Percy Jackson and the Olympians are racing to bring us more episodes as soon as possible. Here's what we know so far about Percy Jackson season 3 on Disney+. Percy Jackson and the Olympians season 3 release date speculation As the credits rolled on the season 2 cliffhanger, fans were treated to an unexpected first look at the third season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, before Disney confirmed that the upcoming instalment will debut later this year – an impressive turnaround indeed. The mid-credits footage from the upcoming season teased a highly anticipated moment from the third novel in Rick Riordan’s series, The Titan’s Curse, with Percy (Walker Scobell) & Annabeth (Leah Sava Jeffries) taking to the dance floor. As Annabeth leads Percy onto the dance floor, she pulls him closer and the pair begin to slow dance to Stephen Sanchez’s Until I Found You, teasing the huge Percabeth moment book fans have been waiting for. The scene will adapt the moment the duo go undercover at Westover Hall, a military academy in Maine, in the hope of rescuing three hostages. “First look. Fir…

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Harry Potter TV series: Release date speculation, casting & latest news
type: item
date: 2026-01-20T11:20:47.000Z
creator: Ben Williams
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Harry Potter (franchise)
subject: HBO Max
subject: On demand
description: Everything to know about the new Wizarding World TV series adapting the original seven books.
encoded: As filming on HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series continues, some key figures behind the production are starting to give their assessments of how it's going thus far, and what fans can expect. For instance, in December 2025, HBO Max head of original content Sarah Aubrey spoke about the series while on a panel at Content London, as reported by Variety. Aubrey said that she was visiting the set of the series the following day, before adding: "I just keep thinking, it’s such a delightful adaptation of the books. And I think when people watch it, they [will] think, 'These are the books.'" Meanwhile, Warwick Davis, currently the only star to be returning from the Harry Potter movies to play the same part of Filius Flitwick in the series, spoke about the new adaptation on Times Radio, as reported by Deadline. "I’m working on it at the moment, but I can’t really tell you anything other than we’re retelling those wonderful stories but with more depth and detail than has been seen before," he said. "They’re very faithful adaptations of the book. "We’re obviously telling the same story so there are similar moments that we’re experiencing as actors on the set. But it’s weird being back in the same studios again, doing it all again, because Leavesden is where we shot the films." Of course, with filming ongoing, we're still far off from getting a specific release date, but more news is being revealed frequently. Most recently, Hans Zimmer and his collective of composers, named Bleeding Fingers, were tapped to compose the score for the series. Hans Zimmer, Kara Talve and Anže Rozman said in a statement together: "The musical legacy of Harry Potter is a touch point for composers everywhere and we are humbled to join such a remarkable team on a project of this magnitude. The responsibility is something that myself, Kara Talve and Anže Rozman do not take lightly. "Magic is all around us, often just beyond reach, but as in the world of Harry Potter, you simply must look for it. Wit…

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showrunner: "Season 1 was definitely written for George RR Martin"
type: item
date: 2026-01-19T17:00:41.000Z
creator: Huw Fullerton
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Interview
subject: Magazine
subject: NOW
subject: Sky
description: The new Game of Thrones spin-off is a “buddy comedy” – smaller in scale but bigger in heart, says showrunner Ira Parker.
encoded: This article first appeared in Radio Times magazine. On a grassy hillside, a young hero with a sword on his hip stares out to his destiny. Fame, glory, honour – and gold. Familiar music, the award-winning Game of Thrones theme, swells majestically as young Duncan takes a step towards history… Cut to the same man, terrified, emptying his bowels behind a tree. Because A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – which begins this week on Sky Atlantic – isn’t quite the grand epic we have come to expect from the world of Game of Thrones, even if it is set in the same fictional land of Westeros. “I joke sometimes that we’re just Game of Thrones without all the stuff,” laughs showrunner Ira Parker. “My goal is to make this stand on its own so that, even if none of the other shows had happened, you could still watch episode one and you could follow that journey.” Airing from 2011 to 2019, Game of Thrones – adapted from George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels – was fantasy drama on an epic scale and one of the biggest TV successes this century. When the inevitable spin-off, House of the Dragon, came in 2022, it was in the form of a prequel set centuries earlier, when an even grander conflict was brewing between the noble houses of Westeros. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a humbler prospect. It’s set about 90 years after House of the Dragon and 90 years before Game of Thrones and eschews its predecessors’ huge casts and continent-spanning action. Instead, it follows penniless knight Ser Duncan the Tall (aka Dunk, played by Peter Claffey) and his bald-headed squire Egg (played by Dexter Sol Ansell), who turn up at a tournament hoping to win money. “It’s a buddy comedy,” suggests Parker. “It’s a ‘lone wolf and cub’ story. It’s an adventure series.” View Green Video on the source website Not that there aren’t still sky-high expectations. This first series is adapted from The Hedge Knight, a novella written by Martin in 1998, and over the years (and two literary sequels), dynami…

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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' most graphic scene so far makes a crucial point about the show
type: item
date: 2026-01-19T15:00:08.000Z
creator: David Opie
subject: Fantasy
subject: TV
subject: Comment
subject: HBO
subject: NOW
subject: Sky
description: It's not just for the shock factor.
encoded: Plenty of people have had a s**t time of it in Westeros, but few have had it quite as bad as Dunk (Peter Claffey). A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms begins with the modest hedge knight in mourning. Once Dunk has wiped away his tears, the plan is to honour his late master, Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb), in a jousting tournament nearby. But before he heads off to compete, another task must be completed first. It's all very serious as Dunk buries Arlan with all the gravitas you might expect from a show set in this world. The music swells and builds ceremoniously as the hero's journey is about to begin… And then we suddenly cut to Dunk defecating by a tree. It's not a brief dump either. The camera cuts from a modest overhead shot to a wide angle where we can see the full extent of the poop spraying out from Dunk's behind. Targaryens will get down and dirty in all kinds of ways, often with their own siblings, but you'd never catch one of them doing that. Not on camera anyway. Of course, Dunk doesn't know he's being watched by us either. Poor guy. And things are about to get a whole lot worse for him before they get better… It's tempting to assume the graphic nature of this scene has been included this early on just for shock value. Games of Thrones is hardly known for taming things down, after all. But like a doctor looking through a stool for answers, we too can learn a lot about Dunk and this show's outlook through a messy scene like this. There's the abrupt shift in tone for one. While both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon are rather serious (for the most part), leading with this bowel movement early on establishes that this ain't your nana's Westeros — not by any means. Humour is as integral to A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms as knights and kingdoms are. It's there in the way people greet each other — "What you gawping at, you blue eyed c**t?" — and it's there in the crueller putdowns too, like when a woman says early on, "A hedge knight is like a knight, bu…

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