How Only One Actor in ‘Harry Potter’ Actually Knew the Series’ Final Twist

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Even with all the magic and mystery surrounding the Harry Potter films, one secret remained exceptionally well-guarded. While actors like Daniel Radcliffe and Gary Oldman often didn’t know what would happen to their characters, Alan Rickman, who famously played Severus Snape, was always one step ahead. As Daniel Radcliffe revealed in the 20th anniversary special, Return to Hogwarts, Rickman was the only person on set who truly knew what was going on behind the scenes.

While J.K. Rowling was still writing the later Harry Potter books, the first movies were being filmed. This meant the actors often learned what happened to their characters as the events were revealed to the public. Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black, confessed he often felt unsure of what was happening. He told Daniel Radcliffe he wished he’d known the full story, explaining that neither the actors nor the directors had a complete understanding of the plot’s direction.

Radcliffe revealed that Alan Rickman had spoken with J.K. Rowling early in the process because he wanted to fully understand Snape’s motivations before starting the role. Rowling shared a single, crucial piece of information with him—the word “Always.” This secret allowed Rickman to bring a unique depth and mystery to his portrayal of Snape, a nuance that even the directors didn’t fully grasp at the time.

Daniel Radcliffe shared that director Chris Columbus often asked Alan Rickman about his acting choices, but Rickman would playfully deflect with a simple, “I’ll tell you later.” It wasn’t until the last Harry Potter book came out that everyone understood those seemingly small decisions were deliberate hints at Snape’s hidden love for Lily Potter.

Since then, the actors from the films have continued to thrive in their careers. Radcliffe himself is returning to Broadway this month in the one-man show, Every Brilliant Thing. The 36-year-old has also been sharing glimpses into his life as a father, jokingly admitting he’s become very emotional since the birth of his son.

Gary Oldman is enjoying a hugely successful year, recently winning an AACTA International Award for his performance as Jackson Lamb in the popular series Slow Horses. Good news for fans: more seasons of the show are already planned. However, Oldman has suggested he might retire from acting after it finishes. He’s also returning to the theater in London this May, where he will direct and star in a new production of Krapp’s Last Tape.

As a lifelong Harry Potter fan, I’m really excited about the new TV series HBO is making! They’re aiming to release it in early 2027, and they’ve cast a young actor, Dominic McLaughlin, as Harry. It’s tough to imagine anyone replacing the original cast – Alan Rickman was Snape, after all – but the creators are promising a much more faithful adaptation of the books. Hopefully, we’ll get to see even more of the magical world we love, and a deeper exploration of the stories. It’s a new generation taking over, and I’m cautiously optimistic!

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2026-02-16 16:45