Harry Collett Shares Final ‘House of the Dragon’ Moment Before Departure
Harry Collett was aware from the start that his role as Prince Jacaerys Velaryon in ‘House of the Dragon’ would culminate in tragedy. Nevertheless, the actor aimed to ensure that his final moments as Jace left a lasting impression on fans, particularly with one significant moment he had anticipated since joining the HBO series.
In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Collett disclosed that he had one last item on his ‘House of the Dragon’ bucket list before exiting the show: delivering the iconic dragon command, “Dracarys.”
“There’s no way I can leave this show without saying ‘Dracarys!’” Collett expressed. “There was no way. Not on my watch.”
This moment finally materialized in the opening episode of Season 3 during the epic Battle of the Gullet. While Jace had previously soared on his dragon Vermax in Season 1, Collett clarified that this experience was entirely different. His earlier dragon scene was tranquil, but the new battle sequence pushed both the character and the actor to new heights.
The Battle of the Gullet emerged as one of the season’s most significant events, featuring dragons, ships, and the escalating violence of the Targaryen civil war. For Jace, the battle represented an opportunity to prove himself. After being shielded by his mother, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, for much of his life, he decides to take control of his destiny.
Collett explained that Jace’s decision stemmed from a desire to finally assert himself. “She has been fighting so hard to keep me at home and keep me safe because she knows that I’m the heir,” he noted. “Now, he’s playing the ‘I don’t want to listen to mum. I’m gonna be my own man now.’”
However, Jace’s choice leads him into one of the series’ most heartbreaking moments. During the battle, his dragon Vermax is dragged into the sea after an attack, resulting in Jace’s tragic demise amidst the chaos.
The actor admitted he hoped the scene would resonate emotionally with viewers. During his interview with Entertainment Weekly, Collett stated, “I hope that people feel sad by it because it is sad, and the way they’ve done it is remarkable. Hopefully, I’ve imprinted enough Jace onto people’s hearts that by the time I actually pass on the show, it makes an impact.”
Filming Jace’s death was also one of the most challenging experiences Collett faced. The actor had to shoot underwater scenes, including moments where Jace appears lifeless after the battle. He described the experience as physically taxing, especially while trying to remain still amid waves and holding his breath.
“I was really struggling with trying to float above the water as a lifeless body and not breathing in any water,” Collett recalled.
His final day on set was emotional for another reason. Having joined ‘House of the Dragon’ at just 17 years old, Collett was bidding farewell to a show that had been a significant part of his life for years. He shared that the cast and crew felt like a second family.
“I feel like they were my family in a way, my second home,” he said. “For that to just end is so weird.”
To commemorate his time on the series, Collett received special gifts from showrunner Ryan Condal, including a 3D model of Vermax’s head and Jace’s sword.
Although Jace is no longer part of the story, Collett believes his character’s choices will continue to influence the war ahead. His final actions may have altered the trajectory of the Targaryen conflict forever, making his brief life one of the most pivotal aspects of the narrative.
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