Watching his performance on screen as Jacaerys Velaryon in House of the Dragon, Harry Collett barely recognises himself – and neither does his nan. Transformed into the prince of the Targaryen dynasty, Collett’s character is at the core of George R. R. Martin’s sprawling universe of legend and lore, becoming a key player in the show’s second season as he grows from boy to man. Revelling in the disguise fantasy offers, Collett is enjoying seeing himself in a new light – princely locks included.

Ella Joyce: You grew up in theatre on the West End, what was it like being in that environment in your formative years?
Harry Collett: I didn’t always think, “I’m going to be an actor.” I was a dancer first and it just sort of happened that I got into acting. I was the first in my family to step into it all and I had so much fun, but there was lots of stuff that I missed out on in the growing up stages of being a child. I grew up with adults the whole time, so I was quite mature from a young age which changed me for the better, but as a kid, it’s hard to understand certain things. I had my first theatre job when I was six, so it was hard to understand that I couldn’t go to my friend’s party because I had to do a show, but now it’s completely worth it because I love doing my job.

EJ: It matures you in a different way when you’re around adults from a young age, going into these environments now, you may not feel as daunted as somebody who is experiencing it for the first time.
HC: Definitely, I remember going on the set of House of the Dragon for the first time and everyone was like, “How long have you been doing this for?” And I was like, “Oh, fourteen years,” and they’re like “You’ve been doing it longer than me!” And that’s coming from some of the older lot. Obviously, six is a very young age, so a lot of people are surprised that I’ve been doing it for so long.

EJ: You’ve worked on projects directed by some incredible filmmakers like Christopher Nolan [Dunkirk] and Stephen Gaghan [Dolittle], what was it like working with them?
HC: Well, with Christopher Nolan I was only in Dunkirk for about seven seconds!

EJ: I know, but you were still in it! [both laugh]
HC: Exactly! I’d love to work with him properly on a project now I’m a bit older and hopefully can act a lot better. [laughs] Stephen gave me my first massive role, so I’ll always love him for that. I learned a lot and obviously, starring in a film alongside a legend such as Robert Downey Jr. is quite a lot of weight to have on your shoulders, but it went smoothly. We ended up making a really fun film for everybody, which is what we wanted to achieve. What was funny about that shoot was, I went through puberty, so we started filming it when I looked really young and then by the time reshoots came about my voice had dropped. [laughs] I don’t think anyone noticed it, but I definitely do when I watch it again. It was a super fun film to work on.

EJ: Let’s chat about House of the Dragon, do you remember your first audition?
HC: I did a self-tape and it didn’t say much, it just said ‘Untitled HBO Series’. I was like, “OK, that’s great, I know a lot now.” [laughs] My character was called Jack, so it could’ve literally been anything and this was the last thing I thought it would be because when it’s something like a Game of Thrones spin-off, they’re very old-fashioned names. When I saw Jack in the script, I was like, “It can’t be that.” I did a self-tape, and then I did another tape in front of people on Zoom, which was quite difficult because it’s hard to [translate] that energy online compared to in-person. But apparently it worked. About a week later I got called to go in for the last audition and because it happened so quickly I had short hair and didn’t go to the gym – I didn’t look like a prince when I walked in. [laughs] I was so nervous, I’d learned all my lines but I’d overlearned my lines. I went blank and I must have fluffed up all of my scenes. I slowly got into it, and the nerves started to calm down but you’re just thinking, “I really want this role.” Just before the audition, I was told what it was for, so that made my nerves go through the roof. Then I got the call a few weeks later and I was literally frozen. It’s only just sunk in through season two press that this is happening. The love and support I’ve got from this character has been incredible. I couldn’t ask for anything better, it’s my favourite role I’ve played in my career so far.

EJ: We first met your character Jacaerys in series one and now we’re watching him grow in season two, what’s it been like building the role?
HC: It’s weird because you read the script at the beginning and then you kind of forget bits after you’ve finished filming. So when I watch it, it’s exciting because it’s a bit of a surprise. Season one happened very quickly and I was kind of thrown into it, it felt like being the new kid at school and you’re trying to find your bearings. Coming back for season two, I felt more comfortable to freestyle a bit and do my own thing with the character. I have my own hair in this series now, so I’m taken a bit more seriously than that wig in season one. [laughs] It’s been really nice developing Jacaerys and adding new characteristics in, in season two you get to see a lot more of him.

EJ: The cast for this show is pretty mega, what was the atmosphere like on set?
HC: As much as we are a dysfunctional family on screen, we are like one big family off-screen. I have a lot of scenes with Emma [D’Arcy] and they are amazing. As much as Daemon [Matt Smith’s character] isn’t, Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy are both like parents to me because they’ve had so much experience. They’ve given me so much advice and made this experience a lot more calm, especially as I’m the youngest cast member in the main ensemble.

EJ: And what’s it like working in a fantasy world?
HC: I love it. Previously I’ve played roles that are very close to myself, which is nice but when you’re in a completely different world, it’s crazy. I was speaking to my nan yesterday, and she was saying to me, “It’s like we’re not even watching you on screen,” which I completely agree with. It’s probably why I don’t find it difficult to watch because it’s like I’m not watching myself.

Interview originally published in Heroine 21. 

grooming MICHELA OLIVIERI at CAREN AGENCY
photography assistant BRUNO McGUFFIE;
fashion assistants SETH ROBERTSON and EMELIA  ZENTNER