Ser Lyonel's True Feelings on Dunk's Rejection Revealed in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Ser Lyonel Baratheon’s true feelings about Dunk turning down his offer to go to Storm’s End in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms have been revealed.

The HBO fantasy series adapts George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, following hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire Egg. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms season 2 filming already began in December 2025, and it will adapt Martin’s The Sworn Sword. Many questions loom about what to expect, but Lyonel’s feelings about Dunk are now clearer.

In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Liam Crowley for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, star actor Daniel Ings offered insight into how his character, Ser Lyonel Baratheon, could be feeling moving forward after Dunk rejected his invitation to go to Storm’s End in the season’s final moments, and whether Lyonel holds a grudge. Check out Ings’ response below:

If I had to guess, I’d say no. I think that Dunk being someone who charts his own path and makes wild choices that no one expects is part of his charm. I think Lyonel would probably figure out, “Of course. He’s the big guy, he’s the hedge night. Of course, he’s not going to do the thing you want him to.” And that elusiveness would probably just spur Lyonel on further.

Lyonel Baratheon, nicknamed “The Laughing Storm” because of his habit of laughing on the battlefield, is known for his boisterous, gregarious personality and also for his combat skills. This is highlighted in season 1, episode 2, when he drags Dunk into a game of tug of war at camp, and although Lyonel stops playing multiple times to drink, his team ultimately wins.

Dunk, who doesn’t follow expectations, and the eccentric Lyonel, form a bond in their shared ideals of how knights are rooted in strength and honor rather than politics. Their dynamic began when Lyonel noticed Dunk’s massive stature at the Ashford Meadow tourney. They drank, talked, and danced together, developing a mutual respect.

This mutual and possibly continued respect is important because when Dunk needed knights to fight by his side in the Trial of Seven, Lyonel stepped up and delivered. Without Lyonel, Dunk would almost certainly have lost the trial and probably his life. This level of respect and understanding between them is consistent with Ings’ remarks about Lyonel ultimately accepting Dunk not joining him at Storm’s End.

Although it’s not confirmed that Lyonel will be in Season 2, as he is not in the second or third book, his character was extremely popular in season 1. With these comments and the knowledge that showrunner Ira Parker has a 12-15 season plan for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it appears likely that Lyonel will return at some point.

Readers of A Song of Ice and Fire know Dunk and Lyonel’s paths do eventually cross again in a dramatic way, so it will be even more interesting then to see how or if their friendship and connection changes because of Dunk’s decision at the end of Season 1. With many Game of Thrones spinoffs in the works, Ings’ comments suggest that if Lyonel returns, he won’t hold a grudge toward Dunk moving forward.