Warning: Major spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon season 3 episode 1.
Another devastating death has befallen House of the Dragon in the very first episode of season 3. Buckle in, it’s a big one.
The long-awaited Battle of the Gullet, which was delayed after initially being planned as the climax to season 2, took no prisoners, as the Triarchy, led by Admiral Lohar (Abigail Thorne) and the Velaryon fleet, led by the Sea Snake (Steve Toussaint), rained fire over the seas.
Meanwhile, with Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) convinced that his mother, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), was about to land herself in a trap, he took matters into his own hands, locking her in and preventing her from going to war, before joining the fray himself.
But it was an ill-fated decision from Jace. After joining the battle, he rides his dragon Vermax just a little too low, and the dragon is hit and crashes into the sea. Although Jace survives the drop, managing to cling to debris, he’s then hit by enemy arrows, dying in the water.
Speaking exclusively to Radio Times about his tragic death scene, actor Harry Collett admitted it was “a good way to go”.
“I had a lot of fun, actually!” he said. “I knew it was coming. It was just a matter of how they’re going to do it, and when. I found out when at the end of season 1.”
Collett added: “Normally, Jace is quite political, so he’s indoors a lot, but I got to obviously get in a water tank this season and dragon ride a little bit more, but I’m just so chuffed. I’ve only watched it on my laptop, but I had goosebumps the entire time.”
He went on to say, “All of the lead-up to it is so impactful. I think Ryan [Condal, showrunner] and the team have done such an amazing job. It’s a very good way to go.”
But what of Jace’s mother, Rhaenyra? Fans will remember that she’s already lost one son, Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), at the hands of Aemond (Ewan Mitchell). How will she survive another loss? According to Collett, it’ll be with a lot of anger.
Asked how Rhaenyra might react, Collett teased: “I think she’ll have a bit of an angry turn. Obviously, there’s going to be sadness and grief there, but she’s had sadness and grief before, so maybe it’s time for a change.”
But Rhaenyra isn’t the only character left grieving, with Lady Baela (Bethany Antonia) now left to deal without her betrothed.
Speaking to Radio Times, Antonia gave some insight into her mindset at this point, explaining: “Everything that Baela wanted has fallen apart in this episode.
“It’s like her worst nightmares coming true. She’s just getting over the fact that she’s lost her grandmother. She doesn’t really feel like she has any family left, apart from this one. And I think she knows now that everything in her life is going to change, because she means something different to Rhaenyra now.
“I think she knows that she’s not going to be useful or wanted in the same way, and I think she’s just going to have to rebuild a version of her life now.”
House of the Dragon season 3 will arrive on HBO Max on 22 June in the UK. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on HBO Max, Sky and NOW – find out more about how to sign up for Sky TV.
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