Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling felt very sorry that she had to kill off Professor Severus Snape. Played by the late Alan Rickman, Snape is a fan-favorite figure despite his stance as an anti-hero and a morally grey persona.
The writer later apologized to the fans for what she did as many mourned the loss of Snape, as well as other beloved characters. In fact, she already told the late actor about the fate of the famed professor even before they made it to the screen.
J.K. Rowling Explains Why She Kills Off Characters
In an interview for her website, as transcribed by Times of London (via Deadline), Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling revealed she spoke with Alan Rickman and told him the real deal about Severus Snape.
“He rang me up and said, ‘Look, I’m spinning plates here. I really need to understand what Snape’s up to? Am I a pure baddie?’ He was the only person I told: ‘You were in love with Harry’s mother.’ ”
She also dropped the bomb news on him, along with the hidden motives of the character so he would know how to navigate through all the events that would take place in the film.
“I talked him through it: ‘You are a double agent. But you do dislike Harry. You can’t overcome your quite visceral dislike of this boy who looks just like your arch enemy.’ So I told Alan Rickman what was coming, way before it came in the movies.”
Killing off characters is no fun, according to Rowling, but it is important to push the story forward.
“I don’t like killing off characters, but it’s part of life, isn’t it? Killing Snape was awful. I always knew he was going to go. I couldn’t bear killing Lupin and Tonks [Harry’s teacher and his wife], that was so sad. Oh, and Fred [Weasley].”
It was indeed a shocking moment for all Potterheads, but as the author claimed, some characters had to go as they already had their time in the story.
J.K. Rowling Apologized For The Death Of Severus Snape
Six years later, Rowling finally broke her silence and gave a long-overdue apology to fans via Twitter for what she did to Rickman’s character.
OK, here it is. Please don't start flame wars over it, but this year I'd like to apologise for killing (whispers)… Snape. *runs for cover*
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 2, 2017
Rickman, on the other hand, shared his journal entry via The Guardian, as he reflects on the death of Snape. Below is an excerpt from the actor’s diary:
“The Death of Snape. Nearly 10 years later. At least it’s just down to two actors … David is vulnerable and endearing when he’s excited. And he is by this scene. It’s the absolute example of what can happen when a couple of actors pick up a scene off the page and work with the story, the space, and each other. Stuart Craig’s boathouse [set] gave it something ironic and everlasting. As I said at one point to David – it’s all a bit epic and Japanese.”
The final installment of the Harry Potter films was released in 2011, though the franchise continued to bring fans into the Wizarding World by releasing a prequel and spinoff film called Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in 2016.
All Harry Potter movies are available to stream via Peacock.
