Warning: House of the Dragon season 3, episode 1 is ahead.
Poor Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) is down another son after the Red Army.
On Sunday, June 21, the season 3 premiere of The House of the Beastbrooding Jacaerys Velaryon — played by Harry Collett – he met his water destiny and his dragon, Vermax.
The action-packed first episode saw Jace and Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) come to King Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and his ship, the Queen Who Never Was (originally named the Sea Serpent), after they were ambushed in the Gullet by a band of Triarchy pirates led by Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn).
Towards the end of the episode, Jace is interrupted by Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell) and the wayward dragon Sheepstealer enter the fray, the pirates stab the prince’s dragon with a ballista, sending the beast into the water. Just as it seemed that Jace would survive – able to free himself from his mount and come into the air – the prince was hit by no less than three arrows and died in the sea.
In interview no Variety on Sunday, Collett responded to Jace’s final moments, which involved him playing dead in the water.
“It was really hard to do the death – it’s actually one of the hardest acting roles I’ve ever done in my life,” he said. “It was really fun, but also really challenging trying to keep my eyes open in the water and stay afloat while not lifting my nose. Besides, I was coughing, and obviously I’m not dead when I cough. So that was a big challenge.”
Collett, 22, joined first The House of the Beast in the latter half of season 1 as Rhaenyra’s eldest son and heir apparent to the Iron Throne.
The British actor said he always knew his character would only appear in the show for two seasons, but his playing time was extended when Battle of the Gullet was moved from the end of season 2 to the beginning of season 3.
“I knew my fate and I took the days as they came to enjoy themselves and I’m just thankful for being on this show in the first place,” he said. “When I read season 2, in general [showrunner] Ryan [Condal] he calls you to tell you what will happen this season. I didn’t get a call, and I said, ‘Are you waiting until we get to the script lesson?’ But, no, it was skipped in season 2, which I’m very thankful for. It’s good that it’s the first episode that people see this season.”
Jace’s death follows the killing of his younger brother, Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault), who was also killed along with his dragon, Arrax, at the end of season 1.
For those keeping score, that means Rhaenyra is down to just three children, her young sons – Joffrey, Aegon III and Viserys II – and husband/uncle Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).
The House of the Beast Season 3 airs Sundays on HBO and is available to stream on HBO Max.
