Harry Collett just nailed the biggest 'House Of The Dragon' shock yet

As I sit in a quiet Stockholm hotel room, I can almost hear the sound of waves crashing against the shore, a haunting reminder of the brutal death scene that Harry Collett, 22, recently suffered on the set of HBO's popular fantasy spin-off, House Of The Dragon. The scene, which aired in episode one of season three, has left fans reeling, and Collett's parents, who witnessed the premiere, were visibly shocked.

Collett, who has played the role of dragon-riding prince Jacaerys Velaryon for the past four years, was strapped to a motorised saddle on a Warner Bros' lot at Leavesden Studios for two days straight in 2025, from 8am to 7pm. He was repeatedly raised and lowered into a massive tank of "really cold" water, a grueling process that made it difficult for him to act like he was being dragged down to the depths.

"It's not easy to fake your own death by drowning," Collett reveals in an interview with NME. "All of the air in your lungs and trapped in your clothes causes you to float quite easily, which makes it hard to act like you're being dragged down to the depths." To overcome this challenge, Collett was clipped to the saddle, and a team of scuba divers remained reassuringly close at hand, ready to step in if needed.

The scene, which has been described as an "underwater version of Boromir's Lord Of The Rings offing," was the culmination of much hard work and preparation. Collett's amphibious death scene was a key moment in the Battle Of The Gullet, a pivotal naval setpiece in episode one. The scene's brutality was not lost on Collett's parents, who were in attendance at the premiere and witnessed their son's on-screen demise.

"I waited to tell them [that I died] until we were sitting at the premiere," Collett reveals, grinning. "Seeing their reactions on the day was unreal. My mum made a verbal 'oh!' and my dad pulled a face. I think when you die in a show, it's not normally as brutal as that.."

As an actor, Collett has had to push himself to the limits of physical endurance to bring his character to life. The experience of being submerged in water for extended periods has been a challenging one, but one that Collett has approached with a sense of adventure and curiosity.

"I've always been fascinated by the process of creating a scene like this," Collett says. "It's a combination of physical and mental preparation, and it's amazing to see how it all comes together in the end."

The impact of Collett's death scene has been significant, with fans taking to social media to express their shock and sadness at the loss of Jacaerys Velaryon. The scene has also sparked a wider conversation about the challenges of acting in physically demanding roles, and the lengths to which actors will go to bring their characters to life.

As I reflect on the scene, I am struck by the level of commitment and dedication that Collett has shown in his portrayal of Jacaerys. It's evidence of the power of acting to evoke emotions and create a sense of connection with the audience.

In the end, Collett's death scene may have been a shocking moment House Of The Dragon, but it's also a reminder of the incredible talent and dedication of the actors who bring this world to life.

• Harry Collett has played the role of prince Jacaerys Velaryon in House Of The Dragon for the past four years.
• Collett's death scene in episode one of season three was the culmination of two days of filming in a massive tank of water.
• A team of scuba divers was on hand to ensure Collett's safety during the filming process.
• The scene has sparked a wider conversation about the challenges of acting in physically demanding roles.

As I close this article, I am left with a sense of awe and admiration for the actors who push themselves to the limits of physical endurance to bring their characters to life. Harry Collett's death scene in House Of The Dragon may have been a shocking moment, but it's also evidence of the incredible talent and dedication of the actors who bring this world to life.