Alan Rickman’s secret journals reveal why battling pancreatic cancer didn’t stop him playing Severus Snape in Harry Potter films-Rebecca Sayce-Entertainment – Metro

The legendary actor opened up on his time on set (Pictures: Getty / Warner Bros)

Secret journals kept by late actor Alan Rickman have given us a unique insight into his life six years since his death, including his motivation behind not stepping down from his Harry Potter role as he battled pancreatic cancer.

In June it was announced that Madly Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman would be published in October giving fans the chance to read his intimate writings.

The actor died in 2016 at 69 years of age following his battle with pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed in 2005 as filming began for the fifth Harry Potter film, The Order of The Phoenix.

Rickman played Professor Severus Snape throughout the film series.

The Guardian published excerpts of the book over the weekend, which will be published by Henry Holt & Company.

In a journal entry marked January 30, 2006, Rickman spoke about why he decided to return to the franchise.

Rickman died in 2016 following a battle with pancreatic cancer (Picture: Mike Marsland / WireImage)

‘Finally, yes to HP 5. The sensation is neither up nor down. The argument that wins is the one that says: “See it through. It’s your story,”‘ he wrote.

Another journal entry from July 27, 2007, reveals Rickman’s thoughts after reading the final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

‘I have finished reading the last Harry Potter book. Snape dies heroically, Potter describes him to his children as one of the bravest men he ever knew and calls his son Albus Severus,’ he says.

‘This was a genuine rite of passage. One small piece of information from Jo Rowling seven years ago – Snape loved Lily – gave me a cliff edge to hang on to.’

Rickman appeared as Severus Snape in all eight of the Harry Potter films (Picture: Photoshot)

Rickman wrote about his time in the franchise and why he returned following his cancer diagnosis (Picture: David Westing / Getty Images)

He also shared his thoughts after watching the first Harry Potter movie, stating, ‘The film should only be seen on a big screen. It acquires a scale and depth that matches the hideous score by John Williams. Party afterwards at the Savoy is much more fun.’

As well as his starring role in the Harry Potter franchise, Rickman also appeared in the likes of Truly Madly Deeply, Dogma, The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, and Love Actually among many more.

In 2009, The Guardian named him one of the best actors to have never received an Academy Award nomination.

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