Lyonel Baratheon Steals Spotlight In Game Of Thrones Spinoff

Westeros has returned to television screens, but this time, the tone is lighter, the scale more intimate, and the characters—well, at least one of them—are downright hilarious. HBO’s latest foray into George R.R. Martin’s vast fantasy universe, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, premiered on January 18, 2026, breathing new life into the Game of Thrones franchise. Based closely on Martin’s beloved novella The Hedge Knight, the series introduces viewers to Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), his squire Egg, and, unexpectedly, to a breakout character who’s already stealing the show: Lyonel Baratheon, the Laughing Storm.

According to ComicBook.com, what sets A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms apart from its predecessors is its remarkable fidelity to the original source material. The first season sticks closely to the story and spirit of Martin’s novella, capturing the tone and scale of Dunk and Egg’s adventures. Yet, as with any adaptation, there’s room for creative expansion, particularly in fleshing out supporting characters. That’s where Daniel Ings’ portrayal of Lyonel Baratheon comes in—a performance so charismatic and entertaining that it’s quickly become a talking point among fans and critics alike.

In the premiere episode, titled “The Hedge Knight,” viewers are introduced to Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) as they set out on a journey that’s part quest, part coming-of-age story. But it’s their encounter with Lyonel Baratheon that injects a jolt of energy—and humor—into the proceedings. As detailed by Decider, Lyonel, known throughout the realm as the Laughing Storm, is first encountered when Dunk wanders into his tent at the Ashford Meadow tourney. What could have been a tense or even violent confrontation, given Westeros’ reputation for brutality, instead blossoms into an unexpected friendship. Lyonel, bedecked in a crown of antlers, welcomes Dunk with a mix of suspicion and bemusement, only to end up sharing ale, food, laughter, and even a drunken dance with the young hedge knight.

This invented scene, unique to the television adaptation, has quickly become a fan favorite. As ComicBook.com describes, the moment finds Dunk and Lyonel drinking together, laughing together, and—most memorably—dancing together. It’s a sequence that’s fun, silly, and a bit chaotic, yet it feels entirely at home in the world Martin created. Daniel Ings’ performance shines, capturing Lyonel’s ability to flip from charismatic and charming to powerful and even a little dangerous. “He’s bizarre, enigmatic, a fantastic drunk, endlessly captivating to watch, and feels like getting to watch Robert Baratheon in his pomp,” the review notes. It’s a high compliment, given the legacy of Baratheons in the franchise.

But who exactly is Lyonel Baratheon, and how does he fit into the grand tapestry of Westeros? As WinterIsComing.net explains, the series is set roughly 100 years before the events of Game of Thrones, making it closer in timeline to the original series than House of the Dragon. Lyonel Baratheon is the Lord of Storm’s End, a title that carries both prestige and responsibility. He’s known for his boisterous personality, his love of drink and combat, and his infectious laughter—traits that have earned him the nickname the Laughing Storm. The family tree is a bit tangled, as is often the case in Martin’s world, but Lyonel is believed to be either the great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather of Robert Baratheon, the ill-fated king from the original series. Lyonel ruled Storm’s End until 239 AC, succeeded by Ormund Baratheon, Robert’s grandfather. Though the precise lineage is a bit murky, the resemblance in spirit is unmistakable.

Daniel Ings, the actor behind Lyonel, is no stranger to television. As Decider points out, he’s appeared in a range of roles, from the Netflix series Lovesick and The Gentlemen to Sex Education and The Crown. But it’s in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms that his unique blend of charm, comedic timing, and physicality is fully unleashed. The oversized antlers, the half-open shirt, the salt-and-pepper beard—these are the trappings of a character who’s both larger than life and deeply human. Ings manages to walk the line between lout and lord, making Lyonel both a figure of fun and a genuinely likable ally for Dunk. His performance is so compelling that, as Decider suggests, the show “might be the first time a TV show has properly weaponized Ings’ star-power.”

It’s not just the performances that are winning over audiences. The show’s format—a half-hour comedy rather than a grim drama—offers a refreshing change of pace for the franchise. As Decider notes, this tonal shift allows for more levity and character-driven moments, without sacrificing the high stakes and rich worldbuilding that fans expect from a Westeros story. Dunk and Egg’s journey is still at the heart of the narrative, but the supporting cast, especially Lyonel, provides the color and complexity that make the world feel alive.

Of course, the series isn’t just a one-off. New episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms air Sundays at 10pm ET on HBO and HBO Max, with the first season set to run through February 22, 2026. The premiere episode, “The Hedge Knight,” set the stage for a season that promises both faithful adaptation and creative expansion. According to ComicBook.com, the show’s approach is to “take some plot points and characters that aren’t given much time and expand them outward, while also looking for things that could be happening at the tourney but happen in the margins, between the paragraphs, that we didn’t get to see.” The scene in Lyonel’s tent is a perfect example of this philosophy in action.

Looking ahead, Lyonel Baratheon is expected to remain a significant presence in the series. His friendship with Dunk, established in the premiere, is likely to have lasting consequences as the story unfolds. And with HBO already greenlighting a second season, Daniel Ings’ star is only set to rise. Ings himself has a busy slate, with upcoming roles in Star Wars: Starfighter (2027) and Prima Facie, but it’s clear that his turn as the Laughing Storm is already cementing him as a fan favorite.

For longtime fans of George R.R. Martin’s work, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a welcome return to the intricate storytelling and rich character work that made Game of Thrones a phenomenon. For newcomers, it offers a fresh, accessible entry point into the world of Westeros—one where laughter, camaraderie, and the occasional drunken dance can be just as memorable as battles and betrayals. As the season continues, all eyes will be on Dunk, Egg, and especially Lyonel Baratheon, the lord who’s teaching us all to laugh a little louder in the face of fate.