Harry Collett is one of the ensemble cast members on House of the Dragon; he plays Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, the son and heir of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, who is a fight for her throne as the show heads into its third season. Speaking to VMAN, he remembered when he auditioned for the role back before season 1.
"My character was called 'Jack' for 'Untitled HBO Series.' Which I now find quite funny," Collett recalled. "But before the in-person audition at the studio, I was told [the truth]. Which probably gave me a kick up the butt, in a good way. But it also made me so nervous. I was going into the audition and I saw the sheet of all the other guys. They were all strong and tall. I thought I had no chance to play a prince. Which didn’t help the nerves. It was now time for my audition and I went in, everyone was there. About 100 people in a room. It was quite scary. My audition went on and it went terribly. I kept forgetting my lines because I was so nervous. I left the audition room and felt like I definitely wouldn’t get the role. But to my surprise, I did. And I couldn’t be happier."
Collett has been effective as the headstrong Jace, so the casting director who picked him must have had good instincts, forgotten lines and all. And he impressed without ever having watched much of Game of Thrones. "I was never really a fan because I was too young to watch it at the time! I was 16 when I auditioned," he laughed. "But of course I’d heard of it through everybody and how great that show is."
In the second season of the show, Jace spent a lot of time strategizing with his mother Rhaenyra as the war between her and her half-brother Aegon heated up. Emma D'Arcy, who plays Rhaenyra, has become the breakout star of the show, and Collett is apparently just as impressed with them as the rest of us.
"Emma D’Arcy is one of the most amazing people I have ever met," Collett said. "They have such charisma and were so welcoming to me on my first day. As seasons go on, me and Emma have built this parent-and-son relationship just like we do in the show haha. And I think that has helped it come across on screen so much more. Even if we are on location, we would go for dinner together with other cast mates. So everyone is really like one big family. I’m so thankful to have Emma. Without them, I don’t think I could’ve done half of the things in show that I have already. I love them from the bottom of my heart."
What do Harry Collett and Prince Jacaerys Velaryon have in common?
The bond between D'Arcy and Collett came across in episodes like "The Red Dragon and the Gold," when Rhaenrya tells her son about the full weight of his responsibilities as heir to the realm. Rhaenyra and Jace will return in House of the Dragon season 3, which is due out sometime in 2026; filming is just about getting going now. That's a long while to wait, but HBO promises it'll be worth it; if you're read the book Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin, you know that Jace will play a big role in immediate events to come.
"In terms of me and Jace having similarities, sadly I’m not a prince. So SADLY that’s not a similarity," Collett quipped. "But Jace is determined. And so am I in my career. If I have a goal, I go for it. I put my all into it. And Jace does not let anyone get in his way, a little bit like me. Jace also knows how to use a sword and so do I. Not a lot of people know this but after Season 1, I took up a bit of sword training. Jace would still probably beat me in a fight. But I think I could still stand my own."
Collett has a lot of things he wants to do, onscreen and on the stage, in dramas and in other genres. We may see him do a lot of them before his career his over. But at this early point, the 21-year-old actor is clear about the role he's most proud of. "I would have to say being a part of House Of The Dragon," he said. "I’ve always dreamt of being in a show of this caliber and to do it with such an amazing cast too. Which has all come true. I have learnt so much on my journey of life but being in this show is teaching me so much. And I’m so lucky, grateful, and proud that I am a part of it."
While we wait for House of the Dragon season 3, a new Game of Thrones show called A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will premiere on HBO and Max later this year.
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