‘House of the Dragon’ Star Harry Collett Discusses Jacaerys Velaryon’s Potential as King
Harry Collett believes that Jacaerys Velaryon could have emerged as one of the most remarkable rulers in Westeros if he had survived the Dance of the Dragons and claimed the Iron Throne.
In a recent conversation with Pop Base, the actor who portrays Jace in ‘House of the Dragon’ shared insights into what kind of king his character might have become. Collett emphasized that Jacaerys possessed the essential qualities of a strong and compassionate leader.
“Jace was born to be a good leader. He’s very smart politically and very much a people person and a people pleaser, sometimes,” Collett remarked.
He elaborated that Jace would prioritize the needs of the common people over personal ambition. Collett believes Jace would have sought to avoid unnecessary conflicts unless his family was threatened.
“He would’ve thought of the people of the realm first before anything else, and he would’ve only carried on with the drama if somebody else started it. He would never start the drama unless it involved his family,” he explained.
Collett also joked about the potential life of Jace and Baela Targaryen had they survived the war and ruled together. He suggested their reign would have been peaceful, albeit lacking the dramatic narratives fans expect from Westeros.
“We were saying if Jace and Baela made it to be king and queen, we’d have a live, laugh, love sign up in the castle and it would be very drama free,” he noted, referencing discussions with co-star Bethany Antonia.
“Which, to be fair, would probably be quite boring, so no one would ever make a show about it. But boring is safe,” Collett added.
Collett believes that Jace’s potential as a ruler makes his death a pivotal moment in the narrative. In George R.R. Martin’s ‘Fire & Blood’, Jacaerys is depicted as a promising young heir whose future is tragically cut short during the brutal civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Throughout the conflict, Jace matures into a more confident leader. He supports Rhaenyra by forging alliances and advocating for her cause across Westeros. Additionally, he plays a crucial role in identifying new dragon riders during the search for individuals with Targaryen blood who can claim unclaimed dragons.
However, his ascent is abruptly halted by tragedy. Jacaerys meets his end during the Battle of the Gullet, one of the war’s most devastating moments. While fighting from the back of his dragon, Vermax, Jace becomes ensnared in the chaos of battle when his dragon is severely injured and plummets into the sea.
The situation deteriorates further when Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) arrives on Sheepstealer, a wild dragon whose lack of control forces Jace and Vermax dangerously low over enemy ships. This precarious altitude puts both rider and dragon within range of the Triarchy’s weapons.
Although he survives the crash, Jace is attacked by enemy forces and ultimately killed, marking the end of a young man many believed could have transformed the future of the Seven Kingdoms.
His death serves as a significant turning point for Rhaenyra and the Blacks. The loss of her heir propels the conflict into an even darker phase, amplifying the pain of an already brutal war.
For Collett, Jace’s legacy lies in the kind of ruler he could have been. Although he never gets the opportunity to ascend the Iron Throne, the actor believes his character possessed the intelligence, compassion, and political acumen necessary to become an extraordinary king.
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