Abstract Protein kinase R (PKR) is a double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) binding protein that plays a crucial role in innate immunity during viral infection and can restrict both DNA and RNA viruses. The potency of its antiviral function is further reflected by the large number of viral‐encoded PKR antagonists. However, much about the regulation of dsRNA accumulation and PKR activation during viral infection remains unknown. Since DNA viruses do not have an RNA genome or RNA replication intermediates like RNA viruses do, PKR‐mediated dsRNA detection in the context of DNA virus infection is particularly intriguing. Here, we review the current state of knowledge regarding the regulation of PKR activation and its antagonism during infection with DNA viruses.