🚨 BREAKING: HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 3 SHOCKER – Is Jacaerys Velaryon CHEATING DEATH?! 😱🐉💔
You read Fire & Blood. You know what happens to Rhaenyra’s golden heir at the Battle of the Gullet. Vermax crashes, arrows fly, Jace sinks into the sea… GAME OVER for the Blacks’ best hope. But the Season 3 teaser drops bombshells:
The latest teaser for House of the Dragon Season 3 has sent shockwaves through the fandom, with one glaring question dominating discussions: Will Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s eldest son and heir, survive the Battle of the Gullet—or is the show preparing to rewrite one of the most tragic deaths in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood?
In the source material, Jacaerys—known affectionately as Jace—meets a brutal end during the naval clash known as the Battle of the Gullet. As the Blacks’ dragonriders, including the dragonseeds (new riders who claimed wild dragons), engage the Triarchy’s fleet in a massive aerial assault, Jace’s dragon Vermax is wounded by crossbow fire. The beast crashes into a burning ship, forcing Jace to leap onto the wreckage. Enemy archers then riddle him with arrows, and his body sinks into the sea. The victory is Pyrrhic: the Blacks destroy much of the enemy navy, but losing their strategic young prince and his dragon proves devastating. Jace’s death hardens Rhaenyra, fuels her vengeance, and weakens Team Black at a critical juncture.
The show has already deviated from the book in subtle but meaningful ways. Season 2 postponed the Battle of the Gullet—originally eyed for the finale—to Season 3, giving Jace (played by Harry Collett) more time to shine as a mature, capable leader. He brokered alliances in the North, confronted his illegitimacy head-on, and emerged as the voice of reason amid Rhaenyra’s growing desperation. Actor Harry Collett even admitted he expected a “death call” for the Season 2 finale, only to be surprised when Jace lived on. “I thought this was it,” Collett told Variety. “But Ryan [Condal, showrunner] said he would’ve called me.”
Now, the Season 3 teaser—released amid mounting hype—appears to confirm the battle is coming early. Shots show Jace on Vermax, shouting “Dracarys” as flames erupt over the water. But a key detail stands out: Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) and her dragon Moondancer are flying in the fray, a scene absent from Fire & Blood. In Martin’s text, Baela remains on Dragonstone or Driftmark during the battle, bound by her betrothal to Jace and unwilling to leave his side until her dragon is ready. Her presence in the teaser suggests a deliberate change, potentially positioning her as an eyewitness to Jace’s fate—or altering the sequence entirely.
Fans speculate this could soften the blow. If Baela witnesses Vermax’s fall and Jace’s struggle, her grief could add emotional weight, making the loss more visceral. Some theorize the show might spare Jace longer, perhaps delaying his death or shifting it to another event, to preserve a fan-favorite character who has resonated deeply. Others point to broader adaptations: the omission of Nettles (a dragonseed who bonds with Sheepstealer in the book) has already forced reshuffling, with Rhaena Targaryen potentially absorbing elements of that arc. Removing Nettles could ripple outward, changing dragonrider dynamics at the Gullet and beyond.
The teaser’s imagery teases escalation: burning ships, dragonfire lighting the night, and the sense of total war. Jace’s “Dracarys” command echoes his growing confidence, but it also foreshadows peril—flying low over enemy vessels was what doomed him in the book. ComicBook.com and MovieWeb analyses note the trailer secretly reveals the “most devastating death yet,” with Baela’s inclusion making it “even worse” by adding personal tragedy. If Jace dies as scripted, his betrothed watching helplessly could amplify Rhaenyra’s heartbreak, especially after losing Lucerys.
Yet not all signs point to fidelity. Showrunners have emphasized creative license, with Condal and co-creator Miguel Sapochnik aiming to humanize characters beyond the book’s historical recounting. George R.R. Martin has warned of potential “toxic” butterfly effects from changes in Seasons 3 and 4. The series has already softened some edges—Rhaenyra’s portrayal leans more heroic, Daemon’s visions add depth—and expanded others, like Jace’s leadership. Collett described Jace’s book death as “heroic,” a battle demise rather than a quiet betrayal, suggesting he’s at peace with it if it happens.
Jace’s survival rumors persist in fan circles. Reddit threads debate whether the show might let him live to replace or complement Aegon III’s role later in the story, though most agree the core events of the Dance remain intact. Actor comments fuel the fire: Collett has stayed coy about future “death calls,” leaving room for speculation. If the show extends Jace’s arc, it could explore his diplomacy, his bond with Baela, or his rivalry with the Greens more deeply before the inevitable.
Regardless of tweaks, the Battle of the Gullet remains a turning point. It’s the bloodiest naval engagement in Westerosi history, with thousands dead and the Velaryon fleet shattered despite victory. Jace’s strategic mind—securing the North, rallying dragonseeds—makes his loss a gut punch. His death symbolizes the war’s toll on the young and promising, much like Lucerys’s murder ignited it.
As Season 3 approaches (slated for 2026), the teaser builds anticipation for spectacle and sorrow. Whether Jace meets his book fate unchanged, witnesses a new witness like Baela, or gets a brief reprieve, the outcome will define Team Black’s trajectory. Rhaenyra’s claim hangs by threads; losing her heir could push her toward the vengeful path that seals her doom.
For now, the show teases without confirming. The changes—Baela in the battle, extended buildup—hint at evolution, not revolution. But in Westeros, even small deviations can alter destinies. Fans brace for heartbreak, hoping the prince who grew from boy to leader gets the sendoff he deserves—heroic, tragic, and unforgettable.
