‘Harry Potter’ Icon Alan Rickman Was “So Fed Up” of Playing Villains

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Alan Rickman was happy to play a kind character in the 1995 film Sense and Sensibility because he’d become well-known for playing villains. Emma Thompson, who acted with him three times, told GQ that Rickman felt his popular role as a villain in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves overshadowed his ability to play different types of characters.

Alan Rickman, bless his soul, really enjoyed playing a genuinely good and heroic character. He was tired of always being asked to play villains like the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Alan Rickman, known for his work in films like Life of Pi and Brokeback Mountain, beautifully portrayed the quiet and honorable Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility. The film, based on the Jane Austen novel, features Rickman as a man vying for Kate Winslet’s character, Marianna Dashwood, against her other suitor. While he successfully played a sympathetic role in that film, Rickman is most famous for his villainous characters: Hans Gruber in Die Hard and Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series. Interestingly, his Harry Potter character evolved beyond being a simple villain, ultimately becoming a hero by the end of the series.

Rickman’s Reaction to Snape’s Death in ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’


20th Century Fox

As a huge Alan Rickman fan, I was fascinated to read about his thoughts on Snape’s death in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. He actually wrote about it in his diaries, which were published as Madly, Deeply a few years ago. Basically, Snape was secretly the true owner of the Elder Wand, and Voldemort, desperate to get it, had Nagini attack him. Dying, Snape shared his memories with Harry – those tear-shaped memories you see in the pensieve – so Harry could finally understand why he did what he did. It’s a really powerful scene, and Rickman’s insight into it is just incredible.

According to his diary, Alan Rickman’s wife, Rima Horton, helped him process a very emotional moment after he returned home from filming.

It was cold, damp, and drafty on set, but thankfully the rest of the crew left Ralph and me alone to work through the scene. David Yates was determined to have my character killed with a spell, which seemed illogical and would likely upset fans. It was wonderful working with Ralph – he’s direct, honest, creative, and lets you explore. When I got home, Rima, who’s brilliant with plot details, pointed out that the only spell that could kill instantly is Avada Kedavra, meaning I wouldn’t be able to complete the scene. We were filming the death of Snape.

Almost a decade later, it’s down to just two performers. David is particularly charming and relatable when he’s enthusiastic, and he really is in this scene. It’s a perfect illustration of what happens when actors truly connect with the material, the setting, and each other. The boathouse set, designed by Stuart Craig, added a layer of irony and timelessness. I actually told David at one point that the whole thing felt grand and almost Japanese in its scope.

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2026-01-12 02:08