JK Rowling recently revealed how she told late “Harry Potter” star Alan Rickman his character’s big secret. Return to a conversation that changed everything for the latter.
Warning, spoilers! This article reveals key elements of the plot of the Harry Potter saga.
For a decade, Alan Rickman played the iconic Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter saga. Apparent executioner of the young hero played by Daniel Radcliffe throughout his school years, he nevertheless hid a secret and very different intentions than one might have thought, he who was in reality an ally and who only protected the son of the one he he had always loved Voldemort and his subordinates.
Answering questions from fans in an interview recorded for her own site, transcribed by Times of London, JK Rowling described how Alan Rickman was confused about his character’s motivations before she finally revealed them to him.
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“He called me and said, ‘Look, I’m just juggling here. I really need to understand what Snape is doing? Am I just a bad guy?’ She’s the only person I said, ‘You were in love with Harry’s mother.’”
She continued: “I explained to him: ‘You are a double agent. But you don’t like Harry. You can’t get over your rather visceral dislike for this boy who looks like your sworn enemy.’ So I told Alan Rickman what was going to happen, long before it happened in the movies.”
Snape’s Fate
Alan Rickman, who died in 2016, played the unforgettable Professor Snape, potions master, in the eight films adapted from the successful book series. The character, beloved by fans especially since the revelation of his secret, was one of the many main heroes to be ultimately killed in the saga. Rowling also shared her distress at having to get rid of characters she had created.
“I don’t like killing off characters, but that’s part of life, right? Killing Snape was horrible. I always knew he was going to leave. I couldn’t bear to kill Lupine and Tonks [le professeur de Harry et ami de son père, et sa femme], it was so sad. Oh and Fred [Weasley].”
Rowling says he currently has two books left to write in his bestselling detective series Cormoran Strike, and six books overall. She is the world’s most successful author, with sales of 600 million books to her name.
To rediscover Alan Rickman’s masterful performance in the Harry Potter film saga, head to VOD.
