Westeros has never looked less dour than in A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms teaser

Further differentiating the new series from what came before, the half-hour (!) drama appears to be a more cut-and-dry—and, dare we say, somewhat lighthearted—hero’s journey than the complicated, interwoven tales of Jon, Arya, and the rest of the original gang. It’s also refreshing to spend so much time with a character who doesn’t seem to have any aspirations of sitting on the throne or holding any real power at all; he just wants to be taken seriously. “A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg,” the series’ logline reads. “Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.”

The show, which is based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales Of Dunk And Egg novellas, was co-created by Martin and showrunner Ira Parker. “Nobody’s thinking about magic” during this period of Westeros’ history, Parker recently told Entertainment Weekly. “This could basically be 14th century Britain. This is hard nose, grind it out, gritty, medieval knights, cold with a really light, hopeful touch. It’s a wonderful place to be. We are ground up in this series, we are starting right at the bottom. We’re not with the lords and ladies, the kings and queens.”

The six-episode season premieres January 18 on HBO and HBO Max.