Alan Rickman’s Favourite Harry Potter Moment Revealed by Tom Felton

It’s been ten years since Alan Rickman left us, but his impact on film and those who worked with him is still felt. Known to many as the unforgettable Severus Snape, Rickman passed away at 69 after quietly facing pancreatic cancer. Despite his illness, he continued to deliver performances that stuck with punters everywhere, from his iconic villains to heartfelt roles in dramas.

Rickman’s range was something else—whether he was the menacing Hans Gruber or the gentle Jamie in a romantic drama, he always gave it a red-hot go. As the anniversary of his death rolls around, Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, has been reflecting on what Rickman was like off-camera, sharing stories that show a different side to the bloke behind Snape.

Felton Remembers a Standout Night on Set

Felton recently looked back on a late-night shoot for Half-Blood Prince, during the scene where Hagrid’s hut goes up in flames. It was freezing, the cast was knackered, and Rickman stood quietly, focused as ever. Felton, feeling a bit nervous, finally asked how he was holding up.

I remember the night shoot when Hagrid’s hut was set on fire. It was about 4am and freezing cold. We stood together on a grassy bank, Helena Bonham Carter and Robbie Coltrane battling behind us. Alan didn’t utter a word.

I finally mustered the courage to ask him: “You all right, Alan? How you feeling?” About 10 seconds after I’d spoken he turned his head to me and replied slowly: “I’ve peaked.” He then turned his head back with the tiniest hint of a smile and a twinkle in his eye.

That dry wit was classic Rickman. Even in the middle of a tough shoot, he managed to take the mickey out of himself, showing a glimmer of humour that those close to him knew well.

Snape’s Stern Face, Rickman’s Kind Heart

Felton also spoke about how Rickman’s reputation for being intimidating on set was only half the story. While he could be a bit scary in character, off-screen he was one of the kindest people Felton had ever met, teaching him a fair bit about generosity and looking out for others.

Rickman would often invite kids with serious illnesses and their families to visit the set. Instead of dropping the Snape act, he’d stay in character, giving the kids the full experience—scolding, sneering, and all. The children loved it, getting a real taste of the world they’d seen on screen.

He also taught me that children don’t want to meet actors, but the characters they play. I would usually greet a nine-year-old visitor by saying: “Hello, how’s it going mate?” which would usually freak them out: “Why is Draco being so happy?!”

Alan would sneer at them in front of their parents, then tell them to tuck their shirts in and clip them round the ear. Full Snape. Charming, disarming, and a delight to watch. He never smiled. But when I look back, I think he probably was inside.

Bringing Magic to the Set

Felton watched Rickman keep up the strict Snape persona, even when meeting young fans, much like a theme park villain who never breaks character. While it might have seemed a bit much, it was all for the kids—Rickman wanted to give them something special, a bit of magic when they needed it most.

Felton reckons Rickman’s generosity and sense of fun made a real difference, both on set and for the families who visited. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the toughest exterior hides the biggest heart.

The Harry Potter films are currently available to stream on HBO Max.