Viewers 'absolutely hooked' on new 6-part drama after long-awaited release

The opening episode went down a storm with viewers, who are already hooked on the drama. 

Taking to social media, one person wrote: "Thoroughly enjoyed. Brilliant cinematography and music. Much more lighthearted than the GoT brigade! Hooked already. Nothing like I thought it would be. Daniel Ings as Lyonel Baratheon was a hoot!" while another added: "The first episode of #AKnightOfTheSevenKingdoms was brilliant! Bring on the rest!"

A third viewer penned: "Brilliant performances and stunning visuals. This spin-off truly does justice to GOT."

Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, the series follows Ser Duncan the Tall, a young but brave knight, and Egg, a young squire. The duo, who are affectionately known as Dunk and Egg, wander Westeros together during a period of change for the Seven Kingdoms. 

The synopsis continues: "While the Targaryens still hold the Iron Throne, they are now without the dragons that made them so fearsome.

"While the last dragon is still within living memory, great destinies, powerful foes and dangerous exploits await these two unlikely heroes."

The series is based on three novellas by George R.R. Martin, 1998's The Hedge Knight, 2003's The Sworn Sword and 2010's The Mystery Knight. The novels were later compiled into one volume, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. 

Peter Claffey (Wreck, Bad Sisters) leads the cast as Ser Duncan the Tall, alongside Dexter Sol Ansell (The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, The Midwich Cuckoos) as Egg. 

Meanwhile, Finn Bennett (True Detective, Domina, Liar) plays Aerion Targaryen, alongside Bertie Carvel (The Crown, Dalgliesh) as Baelor Targaryen, Tanzyn Crawford (Swift Street, Tiny Beautiful Things) as Tanselle, Daniel Ings (I Hate Suzie, The Gentlemen) as Ser Lyonel Baratheon, Sam Spruell (Fargo, Doctor Who) as Maekar Targaryen and Ross Anderson (The Rig, Shetland) as Ser Humfrey Hardyng

Other cast members include Edward Ashley (The Lost City of Z, Masters of the Air) as Ser Steffon Fossoway, Henry Ashton (My Lady Jane, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder) as Daeron Targaryen, Youssef Kerkour (Home, Significant Other) as Steely Pate, Daniel Monks (Kaos, Dead Hot) as Ser Manfred Dondarrion, Shaun Thomas (How to Have Sex, Four Lives) as Raymun Fossoway, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Avengers: Infinity War, The Agency) as Plummer, Steve Wall (Dune: Part Two, The English) as Lord Leo "Longthorn" Tyrell and Danny Webb (The Regime, Pennyworth) as Ser Arlan of Pennytree. 

Meanwhile, the series received mixed reviews from critics, with The Independent describing the show as "odd" and "body fluid-drenched" in its two-star review, while The Guardian handed out three stars in its review of the "heartwarming underdog tale". 

Elsewhere, Forbes hailed episode one as a "tremendously fun and charming premiere", while The Hollywood Reporter described the series as a "smaller, smarter, funnier and more charming glimpse into George R.R. Martin's bigger-is-better realm".

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms premiered in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW on 19 January. New episodes will air weekly, coming every Monday through to February 23.

In the US, the series premiered on HBO on 18 January, with new episodes dropping weekly on Sundays.