It is no secret that the Game of Thrones universe as a whole is filled with plenty of devastating deaths. No character is safe at any moment, regardless of how much a protagonist they may be in the story. But knowing that anyone can be brutally killed at any time is one thing, and watching it play out on the small screen is another.
The very first episode of House of the Dragon season 3 pulled no punches, as the Battle of the Gullet finally came our way and delivered on the promise of becoming the biggest confrontation of the show to date. But while the Blacks came out victorious from such a devastating event, the price to pay was a little too high. Jacaerys Velaryon perished in the middle of the chaos, and now actor Harry Collett has opened up about what it was like to film such a tragic moment and the props he took home after his character died.
Harry Collett took Jace's sword home, and he also has a big Vermax head
Harry Collett recently appeared on the official House of the Dragon podcast, and when he was asked what wardrobe pieces he would miss donning for the role of Jace, he revealed that it would be his sword, but that he was ultimately able to keep it for himself:
"[I'd] probably [miss] my sword, but I got to keep that (...) I was given it before this season, and I was like, 'Guys, can I, like, keep my sword?' and then they were like, 'I don't know. You can't really just make another one for you to take home.' And I was like, 'Okay, no worries.' And when I wrapped, I got my sword, and it's the proper metal one as well (...) When I got out of the car at the end of that day, I was getting out with a massive sword, and it probably looked very concerning."
Collett also mentioned that the sword is now in the loft at his parents' house, inside a protective passcode casing (because who wouldn't try to keep it as safe as possible?). Furthermore, the English actor also revealed his intention to put it in a 3D frame in his own home once he moves out. Better yet, Jace's sword would not be alone, as it would also be accompanied by another incredible prop.
"I also got a big Vermax head," Collett continued. "I'm gonna put that on like a coffee table when I move out, and everyone can look at it. And then put it away if I have a drunk party, because that is not getting ruined."
It's very common for actors to take props from the characters they played, especially if they have done so for many years. To name just a few examples, Daniel Radcliffe kept the iconic Harry Potter glasses, Robert Downey Jr. has a "massive" Avengers logo that was used outside the Avengers Tower, Tom Holland has Spider-Man's web-shooters, and Millie Bobby Brown kept clothes from the set of Stranger Things. As such, it comes as no surprise that Harry Collett also joined that list by taking Jace's sword.
Collett also discussed during the podcast what his last day on the set of House of the Dragon was like, and how he received a lot of support from his fellow cast members:
"The last day, I was filming just with Bethany [Antonia] that day, and people came. Emma [D'Arcy] came from a different studio. Matt [Smith] came. It was so nice. People were all clapping. Emma, bless them, they got emotional. But I was like, just so full of adrenaline. I was like, 'I can't get emotional right now.' But it was just such a beautiful moment."
Unfortunately, the brave tale of Jacaerys Velaryon has come to an end, but his presence will still be felt throughout the events of House of the Dragon season 3 as Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) struggles to be a merciful Queen while still mourning the death of her son. "Rhaenyra the Cruel" is already starting to show up a little on screen. After all, she is starting to take matters into her own hands, starting with the beheading of Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). But just how dark will things get? Well, there's only one way to find out.
New episodes of House of the Dragon air every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max.
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