Faithful adaptations can be a tricky promise in Westeros. However, judging by the most recent remarks of the team that worked on ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘, season 2 is ready to prove it means what it says, starting with Ser Duncan the Tall’s hair.
In a recent BAFTA interview, showrunner Ira Parker and star Peter Claffey affirmed that one minor but significant book detail is finally coming to the screen: Dunk’s long, shaggy hair.
Why Ser Duncan’s Hair Matters More Than You Think
Dunk in the George R. R. Martin’s novellas is said to have a thick, sun-streaked, somewhat unruly hair, the sort of hair that suits a wandering hedge knight more than a court champion. Season 1 of ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ omitted that detail, instead making a shorter cut. It was not a deal-breaker, but book readers noticed immediately.
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Claffey even joked that the series was pretty bang on except for the haircut. “I feel like other than Dunk not having long hair, it’s pretty bang on,” he stated. Parker was quick to point to the now longer locks, indicating that season 2 will put things back on track. Claffey admitted he held off on cutting it “with fingers crossed” in case they got to return.
It may appear to be a cosmetic adjustment, yet in a franchise as meticulous as ‘Game of Thrones’, looks matter. Dunk’s rugged figure is a visual support of his lowly background and foreignness. Compared to knights draped in silk and sigils, he’s meant to look a little weathered, a little real. And that authenticity is important.
Dunk Will Finally Look Like The Hedge Knight Fans Know
The term faithful adaptation has been loaded in this universe. The original ‘Game of Thrones’ notoriously transcended the published work of George R. R. Martin, which led to years of controversy. In the meantime, ‘House of the Dragon’ was based on a fictional history book, which allowed showrunners to be more flexible in their interpretation. But A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is not following that format.
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It is writing based on tightly written novellas that have distinct beginnings, middles, and ends. Parker has stressed that it was priority one to keep the heart of The Hedge Knight, and that is why season 1 was designed in the form of six short episodes. As HBO has already announced, season 2 will focus on The Sworn Sword, in which Dunk’s life as a wandering hedge knight becomes even more central.
Something more rugged suits that chapter. The change in hair can be minor, yet it conveys a strong message: the creative team is paying attention. That attentiveness goes a long way in a fandom where people recall every word of the text and every detail that has been lost. At times, being faithful to Westeros begins with something basic like letting the hair of a knight grow long.
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