HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Game of Thrones spin-off based on George R.R. Martin’s beloved Dunk and Egg novellas, continues its weekly rollout with Episode 2, titled “Hard Salt Beef.” According to HBO’s official schedule, the episode premieres in the United States on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time and 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time, airing simultaneously on HBO and streaming on Max (formerly HBO Max). For viewers in India, the same release corresponds to Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. IST. This synchronized global release follows the same pattern established by the series’ debut and reflects HBO’s standard distribution strategy for major franchise titles.
Episode 2 runtime details for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO
Episode 2 of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is expected to run for approximately 33 minutes, continuing the show’s noticeably leaner format compared with traditional Game of Thrones episodes. HBO has positioned the series as a tighter, character-focused adaptation, and the shorter runtime reflects that creative approach rather than a reduction in narrative scope.
What to expect from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 2 “Hard Salt Beef”
Episode 2 draws from the early chapters of Martin’s novella The Hedge Knight, which serves as the foundation for the first season. HBO’s recently released “Weeks Ahead” trailer, covering Episodes 2 through 6, offers a clear sense of direction without revealing major plot turns. The preview shows Dunk and Egg arriving at a large tournament, widely understood to be Ashford Meadow, where Dunk enters the lists as a hedge knight and their partnership continues to deepen through shared challenges and humor.
The trailer also highlights rising tension involving Prince Aerion Targaryen, portrayed by Finn Bennett. Dunk is shown intervening when the prince mistreats a woman, an action that immediately puts him at odds with royal authority and sets the stage for escalating conflict. Additional footage suggests more jousting, physical confrontations, and the early steps toward a trial by combat, while preserving the series’ balance between lighthearted companionship and darker themes of power, honor, and accountability.
