JK Rowling reveals that one piece of information she gave to Alan Rickman about Snape
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Back in 2011, JK Rowling very teasingly said that she had given Alan Rickman “one tiny, little, left of field piece of information" to help him understand how best to to play Severus Snape.
“Nobody knew where it was really going except her,” Rickman elaborated. ”It was important for her that I know something, but she only gave me a tiny piece of information which helped me think it was a more ambiguous route."
Today, as people continue to fondly remember the late actor, Rowling decided the time was right to reveal exactly what she told him, and it’s a piece of information he must have had to guard with his life.
Asked about it by a fan, Rowling said: “I told Alan what lies behind the word 'always’.”
As any self-respecting Potter fan will know, this is a reference to a specific scene between Snape and Dumbledore that exposes his undying love for Harry’s mother, Lily:
“Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.
"After all this time?"
"Always," said Snape.”
Though only one word, Rowling’s “always” was enough to let Rickman know that Snape was more than just a nefarious Potions professor.
Rickman of course could never speak of this until after the books had come out however, so he fielded hundreds of questions about Snape being evil that he had to essential lie about to conceal the secret.
After filming wrapped in April 2011, the actor wrote a touching goodbye letter to the Harry Potter franchise, praising Rowling for holding “the entire massive but delicate narrative in the surest of hands”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments