In one of Season 3’s most emotional sequences, Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia) retrieves the body of her betrothed, Jacaerys Velaryon, after his tragic death. Bethany Antonia recently opened up to Decider about Baela’s devastating mindset during this moment, giving fans deeper insight into the character’s grief and resolve.
Quick read:
- Bethany Antonia speaks Baela’s mind saying Jace’s death was everything she feared
- She was terrified and guilty to stand in front of Rhaenyra
- For her, bringing back Jace’s body was the least she could do
The worst-case scenario for Baela
Antonia described the scene as the ultimate nightmare for Baela:
“This is the worst case scenario for Baela. This is everything she feared would happen if she listened to his childish impulses and went to war, and now he’s gone.”
Baela had warned Jace against reckless action, so his death hits her with a crushing mix of grief, guilt, and “I told you so” regret. Antonia emphasized that Baela’s decision to retrieve his body was never in doubt:
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“Going and getting his body and bringing him back on the saddle and everything like that is it’s like the least she could do. And she knew that she would always do that. I think if she had to stay out there until like day and night for weeks and then to find him, she would have.”
Credits: HBO
This act of love and duty shows Baela’s loyalty even in the face of unimaginable loss.
Facing the aftermath and blame
Bringing Jace home also means Baela must confront the consequences within the family. Antonia noted Baela’s fear and devastation:
“Bringing him home and sort of, you know, knowing what she’s going to be met with, especially because she knows that they’ve locked Rhaenyra inside. So she’s sort of the only living person that can get the blame for that. I think she’s just devastated. And she’s terrified.”
By the time Baela returns and declares that the war is won, Antonia believes the character has fundamentally changed:
“I think by the time we see her coming back and saying that the war is won, I think we’ve already lost her. We’ve lost her.”
Bethany Antonia’s portrayal captures Baela’s quiet strength, deep love, and the heavy emotional toll of war. Her comments reveal how Baela’s actions are driven by love, duty, and the painful knowledge that nothing will ever be the same again.
