NEED TO KNOW
Rupert Grint and Alan Rickman appeared together in all eight Harry Potter films from 2001 to 2011
Grint says Rickman remained in touch with younger costars and followed their careers after filming ended
Grint next plays Bob Cratchit opposite Johnny Depp in Ebenezer, in theaters Nov. 13
Rupert Grint is looking back on one of the special people who made his time at Hogwarts even more memorable.
The actor, 38, who spent a decade playing Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film franchise, recently reflected on his late costar Alan Rickman, who brought the complex and often intimidating Professor Severus Snape to life throughout the eight-movie series.
At the London premiere of Ebenezer on Nov. 9, MTV UK asked Grint, “Is there someone in your life who has always inspired and uplifted you?” While the actor had plenty of people who came to mind, Rickman stood out to him as particularly “special.”
Rupert Grint attends the “Ebenezer” Global Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on November 09, 2026 in London ; Alan Rickman attends the German premiere for the film ‘A Little Chaos’ on April 22, 2015 in Berlin
Credit: Simon Ackerman/FilmMagic; WireImage
“Yeah, I mean so many,” Grint said. “In my childhood, I was kind of so lucky to work with so many great actors and a lot of them we’ve kind of lost now. One that always sticks with me was Alan Rickman.”
Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman and Daniel Radcliffe in ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’
Credit: Everett
Grint and Rickman shared the screen across all eight Harry Potter films, beginning with 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and wrapping up with 2011’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
Grint played Ron, Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) loyal best friend, while Rickman portrayed Snape, the stern Potions master whose true loyalties and connection to Harry remained one of the franchise’s biggest mysteries until the final installments.
As Snape, Rickman became iconic for his greasy long hair and questionable ties, but off-screen, Grint remembers the actor for a different reason: the kindness he showed his younger costars.
“He was really special and so nurturing as well,” Grint said. “Like, [he] was still in touch way after the films finished and kind of followed our careers.”
Rickman died on Jan. 14, 2016, at age 69 from pancreatic cancer. His family confirmed his death to the BBC, sharing that he had been surrounded by loved ones in his final moments.
“He was surrounded by family and friends,” his family said in a statement at the time.
Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman and Daniel Radcliffe in ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’
Credit: Everett
In addition to his iconic turn as Snape, Rickman was celebrated for his work in films including Die Hard, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Love, Actually.
“He was… Yeah, he’s special,” Grint added.
The actor is now stepping into another literary classic with Ebenezer, a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Directed by Ti West, the film stars Johnny Depp as the titular Ebenezer Scrooge, with Grint playing Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s employee.
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The story follows the miserly businessman as he is visited by a series of supernatural spirits who take him on a journey through his past, present and future, challenging him to reconsider the life he’s been living. The film also stars Andrea Riseborough, Sam Claflin, Daisy Ridley and Ian McKellen.
Ebenezer hits theaters Nov. 13. Grint is also set to reprise his role as Ron in Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child starting Feb. 2.
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