House of the Dragon Season 3 Finale: Steve Toussaint Chats About Corlys’ Political Shenanigans
Lord Corlys Velaryon: The Sea Snake’s Tough Journey
Let’s face it, life on House of the Dragon is like a never-ending buffet of drama and despair. Even more so for Lord Corlys Velaryon, the poor Sea Snake, who had the kind of season that makes you question your life choices. Seriously, if anyone deserves a tropical vacation right now, it’s him!
A Rocky Start
Our dear Corlys kicked things off in style during the premiere, leading his fleet into battle against the Triarchy of Essos. Spoiler alert: it didn’t exactly go according to plan. He lost his nephew (the heir to the queen, mind you), saw his beloved Driftmark turn into a bonfire, and then got a one-way ticket to a dip in the narrow sea. Talk about a rough day at the office!
The Aftermath
But hold your dragons! After surviving that fiasco, our hero’s luck didn’t improve much. Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) decided his bastards Alyn and Addam were just going to remain unacknowledged, which is never what you want to hear when you’re trying to secure your family’s legacy. Oh, and he got kidnapped by Ormund Hightower (James Norton) who thought it would be a good idea to send a severed finger to Alyn. Yikes!
The Finale: A Bit of a Breather?
Considering all the chaos, the events of this season’s finale were practically a spa day for Corlys. The guy gets to sit back, relax, and not lose any more fingers! We had a chance to talk to Steve Toussaint, the brilliant actor who brings Corlys to life. Here’s what he had to say about the season and all the finger-chopping drama.
Steve Toussaint on Losing a Finger
So how does it feel to be missing a digit? Steve laughs it off: “Well, I guess I’ll know more next season. For this one, I basically only had a couple of scenes that required me to sport a bandaged hand. It wasn’t the best experience, I assure you! I even joked about it, thinking back to season one when Paddy Considine had to wear a green glove for his missing fingers. And now I’m in the same boat! Couldn’t they just make him lose a ring or something?”
Corlys the Diplomat
One of Steve’s favorite things about this finale was getting to showcase Corlys’ smart side. He explained, “Corlys isn’t really into the whole politicking thing, but he’s surprisingly good at it. The guy just has to listen to Gwayne’s nonsense and realizes there’s a little nugget of truth in there. Why not take charge?”
The Battle of Tumbleton: A Spectacle to Behold
As for the battle? Well, it was hot! But not just due to the summer sun. Steve revealed, “I didn’t get to see much of the chaos, but when you’re surrounded by corpses and a dragon attack, the shock is real. It’s like, ‘Great acting practice, right?’”
Corlys: Dead or Alive?
After episode 6, viewers had their hearts in their throats, convinced that Corlys was done for. Steve recalls, “I remember reading in the script where Corlys goes for a little swim in the sea with no return ticket. I was sweating it—how was that a ‘good season’? Thankfully, I survived, and I can’t wait to see what awaits Corlys in the next season!”
Missing His Partner in Crime
Having worked with Eve Best, who plays Rhaenys, Steve admits that filming without her was tough. “We were like Batman and Robin! Not having her around made Corlys’ struggle feel even more real, as he’s grieving and unresolved. While I enjoyed working with others, I definitely missed Eve!”
Looking Ahead
When it comes to Corlys’ future, Steve is hoping for some father-son bonding time. “I’d love to see his relationship with his kids grow, even if it’s like trying to bond while standing on a boiling pot of dragon soup! Let’s hope we get at least a touch of happiness in this gloomy Westeros!”
Memorable Moments from Filming
Finally, when asked about his favorite scene this season, Steve beams: “It would have to be the moment with Alyn before the battle. Corlys shows vulnerability, something he usually holds back. He actually apologizes for being a lousy dad. That sticks with you!”
Will We See Corlys Again?
As for the possible animated spinoff Nine Voyages? “I’d love to be involved, even if it means wearing a voice-over headset instead of the big costume,” Steve laughs. It’s still up in the air, but there’s hope!
That’s a wrap on season 3, folks! All episodes are available to stream on HBO Max. Let’s see what craziness awaits us in the future!