As a young actor hailing from the UK, I’ve had my fair share of adventures on the set of “House of the Dragon.” Playing the role of Jace Velaryon has been an incredible journey, and I’m thrilled to see where the story takes us next.
ATTENTION: The following narrative reveals crucial plot points from the final episode of HBO’s “House of the Dragon” Season 2, entitled “The Queen Who Ever Was”, currently available for viewing on Max.
If you’re a fan of “House of the Dragon” and only watched the show but haven’t read George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood”, there were undoubtedly many unanswered questions at the end of Season 2’s finale. However, for those who’ve also delved into the series’ original source material, an additional pressing question might have arisen: Why wasn’t Queen Rhaenyra’s son Jace among the dead?
In the final episode of the second season, called “The Queen Who Ever Was,” Prince Jace Velaryon (Harry Collett) teams up with his mother Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and wife Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) to ready three fresh dragon riders they’ve welcomed for the impending war. These new recruits are now part of their group.
In an upcoming event depicted in the novel, Jace and Team Black confront the Greens and their allies in a dramatic showdown involving dragons versus ships, known as the Battle of the Gullet. However, contrary to this narrative, neither this battle nor any other occurs in the final episode of “House of the Dragon,” and Jace does not meet his end.
Instead, it concludes with a series of scenes showing the Greens and the Blacks, including Jace, getting ready for war. Rhaenyra has been assured by Alicent (Olivia Cooke) that she can reclaim King’s Landing and the Iron Throne in three days, once Prince Regent Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) is engaged in battle elsewhere.
In the Battle of the Gullet, as depicted in “Fire & Blood,” Jace met his end, yet not before securing victory for his side. This led many fans, accustomed to the books’ narrative, to anticipate another season finale featuring one of Rhaenyra’s sons perishing atop a dragon. Even Harry Collett, who portrays Jace in the series, believed throughout the season that his character was destined to meet an untimely demise.
Up until the day of the table reading for the Season 2 finale script, it was then that he encountered the “House of the Dragon” cast and showrunner/co-creator Ryan Condal.
“Collett shared with EbMaster that she had assumed her journey with Jace was coming to an end. Each time they gathered for a script reading, there was the usual discomfort of questioning if it was the right moment and whether she’d have to perform in front of everyone. However, when we reached the last episode during the script read, it turned out differently than expected. I approached Ryan and exclaimed, ‘Man, I thought this was it? I thought I was about to meet my end!'”
“I told Ryan, ‘I believed this was my opportunity.’ To which he replied, ‘If it were me, I would’ve given you a heads-up!’ It seems there’s a custom called ‘the death call,’ meaning you don’t have to announce it during the script reading in front of everyone, which I find considerate.”
Collett remarks, “I needn’t have worried unnecessarily, but I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue another season. If fate should take me, I’ll still be grateful for having been part of it all.”
Now that “House of the Dragon” has been given a green light for its third season, with Ryan J. Condal and his crew busy writing the episode scripts, there’s speculation about whether Paddy Campbell, the actor who plays Viserys Targaryen, has received a warning about his character’s possible demise based on the original books.
“Let’s just take things as they come. The moment I receive any such news will be private to me.”
See more from EbMaster‘s interview with Collett below.
As a fan of the series, I’ve always been eager to immerse myself in the world George R.R. Martin has created. I remember when “Fire & Blood” was published and I quickly grabbed a copy, diving into its pages as soon as possible. However, not everyone shares this enthusiasm, some cast members have chosen to steer clear of it. I’m curious, have you read it? I must admit, I can’t help but wonder about the circumstances surrounding Jace’s death. Having followed the story closely over the years, I feel like I’ve grown quite attached to these characters and their fates, so I’d love to hear your thoughts if you’re able to share them!
Some actors have read the entire books, while others haven’t read them at all. As for me, I’ve read summaries instead, so I have a general idea of the plot. However, since I only read the synopses, the book is essentially a collection of rumors, if you will, compiled into one large tome. Therefore, there might be changes in the show compared to the book.
To put it simply, I’m satisfied with how Jace’s story ended in the books. His death seemed valiant to me, not some ordinary, unfortunate demise like being stabbed or poisoned. Instead, it was a battlefield death, which I believe many would aspire for – a noble end.
In Season 2, how did you and Emma D’Arcy develop Jace’s character to reflect his maturity following the death of Luke, allowing him to engage in more profound discussions with Rhaenyra and propose his thoughts regarding his potential succession?
As a screenwriter who has spent years crafting stories and characters for various projects, I can confidently say that one of the most rewarding aspects of my work is delving deep into the intricacies of relationships between characters. In this particular series we’re working on, it’s been a fascinating journey exploring the complex dynamics between Rhaenyra and her son Jace. As someone who has raised two children myself, I can relate to the challenges that come with being both a mother and a ruler, and the unique opportunities those roles provide for bonding in unexpected ways.
Jace is determined to avenge what transpired regarding his younger brother Luke. He yearns for a more significant role. He aspires to emulate Daemon in miniature, since Daemon has been the main male influence in his life over the past few years. It was crucial to us that the scenario felt authentic. I’m thrilled that Jace isn’t just hanging back in the shadows this season, but is actively participating. This makes me proud of his character because he has a purpose in this journey – exactly as it should be.
By the finale of this incredible season, I’m left wondering about Jace’s stance regarding the dragonseeds and his personal sentiments towards his bastard status. How will these elements intertwine in his journey?
As a scholar specializing in the history and culture of Westeros, I’ve spent many years studying the complex relationships between nobility and their bastard offspring. From my research, it is clear that the concept of legitimacy is often tenuous at best and subject to the whims of those who hold power.
I believe he’s consistently tormenting himself over that issue. It seems to me that he understands the importance of having individuals on those mysterious dragons and their potential actions. However, the burden of responsibility and the possibility of being criticized for it — he can’t help but internalize this. This self-criticism is likely to skyrocket his stress levels, in addition to all the other challenges he’s currently handling.
Can we expect the bond between Jace and Cregan Stark, a beloved friendship from the novel, to be further explored in Season 3?
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my eagerness for more interactions between Jace and Cregan. With our previous shared scene being the only one we’ve had, there’s an abundance of potential storylines that could unfold. Working with Tom Taylor was a delightful experience, and I truly hope to explore more of this dynamic in the future. However, I must admit, I don’t have any inside information about upcoming developments. But here’s hoping for more Jace and Cregan encounters!
Are the Jace Mewing memes appearing frequently on social media this year catching your eye? If they have, what are your thoughts on this popular trend?
It’s funny to me when I see it, so I don’t take anything from it negatively.
As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed a surge of memes featuring Ewan Mitchell’s character, Aemond, with plenty of “mewing” versions too! Furthermore, there are numerous comparisons between Jace and Aemond this season, particularly their facial expressions. Personally, I find both characters captivating in their unique ways, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on who you think has the more striking look.
I believe we’re both fantastic, honestly speaking. At the moment, I must say Ewan is really nailing it with his style. Despite my feelings towards Aemond, I have a deep affection for Ewan, so I’m going to declare Ewan as the winner in this case.
Discussing his appearance, there’s quite a transformation in Jace’s hairstyle between Season 1 and Season 2. From short and straight to longer and wavy with curls. Not just a change in length, but also a more powerful look with the curls. What caused this shift?
That’s a clever joke you made! In the first season, I was cast rather swiftly and, unfortunately, didn’t have time to let my hair grow before filming began – so a wig was necessary. However, they were also pressed for time to create one, so they simply grabbed one from storage and placed it on me. Truth be told, I wasn’t the best at pulling off that wig in Season 1. As soon as they put it on me, we discussed the need for me to grow my own hair out for Season 2. So, for about a year and a half, I didn’t get a haircut. My hair was similar to One Direction’s Harry Styles – long and flowing. I really hoped they would use my real hair after all that effort, and I even tested seven different shampoos!
I’ve never attempted this hair care routine before, but I had high expectations that they would keep their promise and guide me through it. To my delight, they significantly reduced most of my hair, which was a relief in the sweltering summer heat. My colleague Ros, from the hair and makeup team, created a mood board to present to Ryan, suggesting the idea. The board was filled with images of Jon Snow, which I found fascinating because it seemed like they were aiming for a resemblance of Jon Snow while I was on the Wall, something I find incredibly cool.
However, I’m thrilled that I can utilize my natural hair instead, which gives me a fantastic 45-minute break from the makeup chair every morning! This is indeed a wonderful development, so I won’t be expressing any complaints.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
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2024-08-03 05:17