Phia Saban Discusses Helaena’s Heartbreaking End in ‘House of the Dragon’ Finale

Phia Saban’s journey as Helaena Targaryen on ‘House of the Dragon’ has reached a poignant conclusion, but the actress reveals that the final season provided her with several memorable experiences she had longed for.

Helaena’s arc culminates in the season three finale when she tragically walks to a window in the Red Keep and jumps to her death. This moment stands out as one of the season’s most devastating scenes, particularly as Helaena is pregnant during this time.

In a conversation with Entertainment Weekly prior to the finale’s airing, Saban expressed her sense of honor in receiving such a dramatic ending. “I feel quite honored to die on TV in this universe,” she remarked. “So it’s a bit of a bucket list.”

Saban had an inkling that Helaena would not make it through the season. She eventually received the official “death call” from showrunner Ryan Condal, confirming her suspicions.

The actress also explained that Helaena’s final choice was not triggered by a single event. Instead, she views it as the culmination of everything her character endured throughout the season.

A significant clue lies in Helaena’s embroidery. Throughout the season, she dedicates time to a tapestry that ultimately connects to the show’s opening title sequence. The completed piece appears to foreshadow parts of Helaena’s tragic fate.

Saban believes the embroidery allowed Helaena to gain a clearer understanding of herself and her destiny. She emphasized that Helaena’s growing confidence was crucial, as she aimed to portray her final moments with more depth than mere fear or panic.

“I found it really interesting to think of the character as gaining in clarity and confidence and self-assuredness as she descends into self-destruction,” Saban noted. The tapestry also became a cherished part of Saban’s experience on the show, as Condal gifted her the finished embroidery as a wrap present after filming concluded.

“I treasure it,” she shared. “That was the kindest thing they could have done. That will be pried out of my cold, dead hands.”

Saban also finally experienced another moment she had been anticipating: riding Helaena’s dragon, Dreamfyre.

This sequence is part of Helaena’s dream storyline, and Saban filmed it using the production’s mechanical buck. She admitted that she had been looking forward to this opportunity for years.

“I couldn’t have died in the House of the Dragon and not got on my dragon,” she remarked. For Saban, filming the dragon scene, Helaena’s death, and the prosthetic work involved in the finale were all personal highlights of her time on the series. “I got to do so many cool bucket-list things this season,” she said. “Creatively, I just feel so grateful that they afforded me those opportunities.”

Saban also commented on the numerous Helaena memes circulating online, particularly the beloved “You are a queen” meme. She expressed her delight that fans resonated with it, while also acknowledging that the chicken jokes have become another favorite among viewers.

Regarding whether Helaena’s final scene intentionally mirrors Tommen Baratheon’s death in ‘Game of Thrones’, Saban stated she was unsure. Showrunner Ryan Condal later informed reporters that the two scenes were filmed on different sets, but viewers can certainly find “echoes and reflections and parallels” between them.

With Helaena’s story now concluded, Saban’s performance leaves behind one of the show’s most unique and tragic characters, along with a dragon scene and a final moment she considers genuine bucket-list achievements.

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