House of the Dragon Season 3 Premiere Features Shocking Death of Jace Targaryen

The third season of *House of the Dragon* opened with a dramatic battle scene that saw the death of Jace Targaryen, a key character played by Harry Collett, according to reports from *Variety* and *Entertainment Weekly*. The episode, which aired on June 21, 2024, depicted the Battle of the Gullet, a pivotal conflict between the Black and Green factions in the fictional realm of Westeros.

What Happened in the Battle of the Gullet?

The premiere episode centered on the Battle of the Gullet, a clash between Rhaenyra Targaryan’s forces—led by her husband-uncle Daemon—and the Greens, commanded by Alicent Hightower and Aemond. The battle took a tragic turn when Rhaena Targaryen, played by Phoebe Campbell, arrived with the rogue dragon Sheepstealer. During the chaos, Jace Targaryen, Rhaenyra’s eldest son, was killed after his dragon, Vermax, crashed into the water. Collett’s character was struck by arrows while attempting to stay afloat, as confirmed by the actor’s interview with *Variety*.

How Did Harry Collett Prepare for His Final Scenes?

Collett described the death scene as one of the most challenging performances of his career. “It was really hard to act dead—it’s actually one of the hardest acting I’ve ever done in my life,” he told *Variety*. The actor recounted the difficulty of keeping his eyes open and avoiding coughing while submerged, which could have betrayed his “death.” He also revealed he requested to say the High Valyrian phrase “Dracarys” in his final moments, a request granted by showrunner Ryan Condal.

Why Was the Battle Moved to Season Three?

The Battle of the Gullet was originally scheduled for *House of the Dragon*’s second season but was postponed to the third due to budget constraints, according to Collett’s remarks in *Entertainment Weekly*. Condal had initially planned to include the sequence in season two, but production challenges delayed the sequence. Collett noted he was aware of his character’s fate from the start, stating, “I knew my fate already, and was taking the days as they come.”

What’s Next for *House of the Dragon*?

The third season’s premiere has set the stage for escalating tensions in the Targaryen civil war. With Jace’s death marking a significant loss for Rhaenyra’s faction, the series is expected to delve deeper into the conflict’s consequences. A second *Game of Thrones* spinoff, *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms*, premiered earlier in 2024, while additional projects remain in development, as reported by *The Hollywood Reporter*.

How Has the Series Performed Overall?

Since its 2022 debut, *House of the Dragon* has become HBO’s most-watched series, drawing over 10 million viewers per episode in its first season. The third season’s premiere reportedly achieved similar ratings, according to Nielsen data. The show’s success has sparked renewed interest in the *Game of Thrones* universe, with fans eagerly anticipating its conclusion.

For more updates on *House of the Dragon*, visit HBO’s official site.