Steve Toussaint, who plays Corlys Velaryon in House of the Dragon, has revealed that many fans believed he was in a real-life romantic relationship with his on-screen wife Eve Best, who portrayed Rhaenys Targaryen. Speaking to Metro from Madrid on the day season 3 premiered, Toussaint shared that fans frequently asked if they were together off-screen. "I asked her, she said, 'Oh, yeah, they asked me that a lot as well,'" he said jovially.
Corlys' Motivation After Rhaenys' Death
In the series, Corlys has endured immense tragedy, including the deaths of his daughter, the supposed death of his son, and the loss of his wife Rhaenys in battle against the Greens. Toussaint explained that Corlys' drive to continue stems from his wife's final words. "Prior to her demise, she said to him, 'We have to help [Rhaenyra] in her quest for the throne because hers is a rightful claim.' She also says to him, 'I know who your two sons are, I've always known, and you have to recognise them because it's not their fault that you were lousy to them.' So, as he says in season two, everything I do now I do for her." He added, "A combined sense of injustice, indignation and rage is what propels him through this season. He's lost so much, a lot of it in this cause for very little return."
The Battle of the Gullet
The Battle of the Gullet, a pivotal clash between the Greens and Blacks, was originally intended to end season 2 but instead opened season 3 after a two-year wait. The battle resulted in the shocking death of a key character and the loss of a dragon, requiring around two months of rehearsal. Toussaint praised the show for balancing spectacle with emotional depth. He recalled director Abu Salim's advice to actor Alyn: "When you're doing a fight, every blow is meant to be the last blow. Even though you know that choreography is 20 shots, each one of them is meant to be the last one." This approach made the fight scenes "a lot more emotionally challenging."
Corlys' Complicated Relationship with Rhaenyra
Toussaint described Corlys' dynamic with Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) as a "chess match" — allies who often feel like opponents. "When he was in her presence, he admired her, and he felt that she was the right person to rule. But whenever he was apart, he was constantly like, everything this woman touches turns to dust. They have a very complicated relationship, and it gets more so this season," he said.
House of the Dragon Ending with Season 4
With the series confirmed to conclude after season 4, Toussaint reflected on being over halfway through the story. "It's been wonderful to be a part of something where so many people are invested," the 61-year-old actor said. "It's mixed feelings about the fact that we're coming towards the end, because on the one hand, I have had so much fun playing this, and I really do like the people that I work with. But as an actor, you're always looking to try something different."
New Project: A Blue Butterfly
Toussaint has written and stars in a new film called A Blue Butterfly, a psychological drama about a man living with the consequences of the Rwandan genocide. He was inspired after working on Shooting Dogs, a film about the genocide. "I decided that I wanted to tell a story about somebody living with the consequences of that, and so that's what I did," he said. The film features a cast of "wonderful actors" and is expected to be released later this year.
Inspiration from Gary Oldman
Toussaint, who grew up in south London, has cited Gary Oldman as an inspiration for pursuing acting. He recalled watching Oldman in The Firm and Prick Up Your Ears, which showed him that someone from his neighborhood could succeed. "If someone from New Cross can do that, then maybe I've got a chance," he said. He has yet to meet Oldman but hopes to one day tell him, "You man, you did it, you were amazing."
What's Next for Corlys?
As season 3 unfolds, Corlys' fate after the Battle of the Gullet remains uncertain. Toussaint hinted that the character's journey is far from over, but nothing is guaranteed in Westeros. House of the Dragon airs on HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and NOW, with new episodes released on Mondays.
