When Alan Rickman signed on to play Severus Snape in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, he was stepping into one of the most iconic and complex characters in cinema history. Along with it, he was also entrusted with the franchise’s biggest secret, which he couldn’t tell anyone.
For most of the cast, each new film only came with the current script. Rickman, however, was given something no one else had. J.K. Rowling shared one secret with him that completely shaped his portrayal of the Potions Master in the franchise.
The One Secret Conversation J.K. Rowling Had With Alan Rickman
Late actor Alan Rickman kept a diary for most of his life, which was later published as ‘Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman’ after his death. In one entry in late 2000, there is a fascinating behind-the-scenes moment that changed his approach to playing Severus Snape.
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Despite the world knowing him as Professor Snape, Alan Rickman once considered leaving the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise. He grew increasingly frustrated with the character, as Snape’s motivations remained unclear and his storyline seemed to be going nowhere in the first few films. However, one conversation with author J.K. Rowling completely changed his mind.
As Rickman wrote, J.K. Rowling spoke with him after he asked for guidance on understanding his character. Rather than keeping him in complete darkness like everyone else, Rowling offered him a few carefully chosen pieces of Snape’s backstory.
Rickman never revealed what exactly she told him, but he described it as, “well, when he was young, you see, this, that and the other happened.” Those words might have meant very little at the time. But today, with the entire series out, it is easy to connect the dots.
“One small piece of information from Jo Rowling seven years ago – Snape loved Lily – gave me a cliff edge to hang on to,” reads Rickman’s diary entry from 2007.
Years later, after Rickman’s death in 2016, Rowling also confirmed the story. When a fan asked her on Twitter if she would ever reveal what she’d told Rickman, her answer was quite simple. “I told Alan what lies behind the word ‘always.'”
Snape’s Secret Made Alan Rickman’s Performance So Brilliant
Throughout the ‘Harry Potter’ series, Severus Snape remained the greatest mystery for fans. The films constantly had us guessing his true intentions and loyalties. For every single time he was mean to Harry, he would also secretly protect him from danger. It isn’t a surprise that Rickman wanted to quit the franchise after having a hard time with his character. But knowing Rowling’s true intentions for Snape changed everything.
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The final instalment revealed the truth. Snape had been protecting Harry all along. He was unrequitedly in love with Harry’s mother, Lily, and was also bullied by her husband, James.
Rickman got to know this truth years before us, and that secretly transformed his performance. His famous style of speaking became the perfect expression for Snape. Now if we rewatch the movies, it is so easy to find clues that showed us his true intentions. But at the same time, Rickman made sure the smokescreen wasn’t spoiled ever.
Only after learning the secret behind the word “Always” could Rickman embody one of his most famous roles of all time. He carried this till the very end. But still managed to sell us on the mirage. Looking back, every scene he was in remains unforgettable.
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