A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS Showrunner On Using GAME OF THRONES Theme

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Unlike Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms doesn’t have an opening credits sequence or a grand introduction. Showrunner Ira Parker explained this was intentional, reflecting the perspective of the series’ main character, Ser Duncan – a humble knight with modest goals. A flashy opening wouldn’t suit his story. However, Parker did include the famous Game of Thrones theme song, first in the premiere episode and again at the end of the fourth, more action-packed installment.

Parker explained in a recent discussion why the Game of Thrones theme was used in those specific scenes. Once you understand his reasoning, you’ll be eager to join Dunk in his Trial of Seven.

The show didn’t initially plan to use the famous HBO theme song in that scene. According to Parker, the script originally just said Dunk imagined a ‘hero theme.’ They hadn’t decided what that theme would be yet. After trying out different options, the heroic music composer Dan Romer had created for Dunk felt right for the moment. However, the sound Dunk hears internally represents a call to something greater – a hint of his future potential. And, as Parker explained, what better way to signify that call to greatness than with the instantly recognizable Game of Thrones theme song?

The show doesn’t mislead viewers, but the initial use of the Game of Thrones theme isn’t just fan service. It’s immediately followed by a contrast that reveals a lot about the main character and establishes that this new show will be different. Once Dunk accepts his destiny, the grand moment is quickly undercut by something much more ordinary. According to showrunner Parker, hearing the music makes Dunk realize the daunting reality of his quest and how frightening it will be. This fear shows up in a surprisingly relatable way: the knight literally has to deal with a nervous stomach, a moment Parker jokingly calls an “unheroic crouch.”

The song isn’t used again after that initial moment, but it reappears in a much different scene. It plays when Ser Duncan the Tall successfully finds the last knight to fight for him during the Trial of Seven. Composer Ramin Djawadi felt this powerful scene was the ideal place for Westeros’ most grand song, and his reasoning makes perfect sense.

The song reappears in episode four at a crucial moment – when things really kick into high gear. It feels much more impactful now, and it reminds us of the Game of Thrones we loved. Hopefully, like me, even after many viewings, it gives you goosebumps and a sense that something significant is about to happen – whether that’s good or bad, depending on your perspective. The arrival of Baelor Targaryen, combined with the music and the quick pace, is incredibly exciting. When he declares his support for Ser Duncan, it’s a moment that should truly get fans out of their seats.

That scene clearly excited many Game of Thrones fans, just like it did Ira Parker. And we suspect a lot of viewers got chills when they read his take on it. We certainly did – that song made us feel like we wanted to join the battle alongside Ser Duncan!

Mikey Walsh writes for TopMob and is a huge fan of both Ser Duncan and the Game of Thrones theme song. You can find him on Bluesky at @burgermike, and he’s always participating in discussions about ranking the Targaryen kings.

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2026-02-07 00:03