Upon further analysis, Severus Snape, portrayed in the Harry Potter films by the late Alan Rickman, is clearly an unpleasant and often feared individual, but as we later discover in Harry Potter … It is hard to imagine any person declining the chance to appear in a franchise of films, especially considering how hard it can be to get work in Hollywood, but Roth decided that it was best to focus on other things instead. Towards the end of the novel, Dolores Umbridge – the school's politically appointed headmistress – captures Harry and interrogates him about Dumbledore's whereabouts. Now that he was locked in and Rowling was getting to see her vision come to life, it was time for the acclaimed actor to deliver the goods on the big screen. However, Snape demanded of Dumbledore that his love for Lily (his reason for switching sides) be kept a secret, especially from Harry, because of the deep animosity he felt towards Harry's father and his mixed feelings towards Harry (who reminded him of both his love for Lily Potter and her death, and his animosity towards James Potter). He remains rather cruel, a bully, riddled with bitterness and insecurity—and yet he loved, and showed loyalty to that love and, ultimately, laid down his life because of it. [84] In A Very Potter Musical, Snape is played by actor Joe Moses. James realised the danger and stopped Snape, saving his life; this is the incident Dumbledore referred to at the end of the first book. The British actor, also known for his roles in … [41] Towards the end of the last novel, Harry draws parallels between his childhood, Snape's, and Voldemort's. Before Alan Rickman took on the role of Severus Snape for the Harry Potter movies, another actor was cast as the iconic Potions Master. Snape has a minor role in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, where he helps Gilderoy Lockhart oversee Hogwarts' short-lived Duelling Club,[24] but he has little interaction with the main plot. "PotterCast Interviews J.K. Rowling, part two. This suspicion stems from Lupin's friendship with Sirius and Harry's father, James, while they were all at Hogwarts as students. [47] He had conversations with Rowling about his character and is one of the few Harry Potter actors that she spoke to prior to the completion of the book series about the future direction of the character. As Albus is about to enter his first year at Hogwarts, he expresses concern that he will be sorted into Slytherin. He finds that in this reality Snape is still alive and still teaches at Hogwarts, and asks for his help. When questioned by Bellatrix about his loyalties, Snape says he has been working for Voldemort ever since Voldemort's return, and explains his actions in the previous books in that light. Snape spent his early childhood living with his parents in a small house in Spinner's End. As the series progresses, it is revealed that his treatment of Harry stems from Snape's bitter rivalry with James when they were in school together. ", "Director 'denies' Potter audience... just a little", "The Great Snape Debate – Borders Exclusive", "The 25 Greatest Harry Potter Characters", "Snape wins favourite Harry Potter character", "Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan", "French and Saunders: Harry Potter and the Secret Chamberpot of Azerbaijan", "Australian television: The Wedge episode guide", Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide, Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists, Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, Creator: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Warner Bros. In talking with Scorpius, Snape had learned that Harry would name his son "Albus Severus" and would regard Snape as "probably the bravest man I ever knew" – and is deeply moved. [50] When the directors of the films would ask him why he was doing a scene a certain way or delivering a line in a specific manner, Rickman would simply reply that he knew something they didn't. [36] Snape is adept at reversing or containing potentially fatal damage from other dark curses as well, due to his vast knowledge of Dark Arts, as he does when Dumbledore[41] and then Katie Bell[63] are cursed.