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Matthew Lewis recalls heartwarming chat with 'Harry Potter' co-star Alan Rickman from last day on set

Amy Johnson
·Contributor
·3-min read
Alan Rickman attends AOL Build Speaker Series Presents: Alan Rickman at AOL Studios In New York on June 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/WireImage)
Alan Rickman attends AOL Build Speaker Series Presents: Alan Rickman at AOL Studios In New York on June 19, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Desiree Navarro/WireImage)

Matthew Lewis has recalled a touching encounter he shared with the late Alan Rickman on the Harry Potter set.

The Neville Longbottom actor said the special moment came on Rickman's last day on set for the franchise, where he played Severus Snape throughout all seven films.

In an appearance on the Inside of You podcast with Michael Rosenbaum, the 31-year-old recalled an important conversation they had after he decided to visit the Die Hard actor in his trailer.

Watch: Alan Rickman's diaries to be published

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"On his last day, I went to his trailer and I said to him, ‘Hey, I know it's your last day, and I just wanted to say this has been incredible to have worked with you for this long. I know we've not really spoken very much, but I just wanted to say it was because I was terrified, but you were incredible. Thank you for allowing me to work with you for 10 years and not ever shout at me or treat any of us as anything less than your equal.'"

(L-R) Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Matthew Lewis attend the New York premiere of
(L-R) Alan Rickman, Tom Felton, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Matthew Lewis attend the New York premiere of "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2" at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center on July 11, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Lewis revealed Rickman then invited him in for a drink.

"He put the kettle on and we had a cup of tea and we chatted about what I was going to do in my career going forward and what he recommended I do and I'm so glad I did that. I wish I did it five years earlier. At least I can say I did that. I never did that with anyone else," he went on.

Lewis did give some details of the conversation that followed as he said Rickman recommended he do some theatre - advice he heeded.

The series finale, The Deathly Hallows - Part 2, was released in 2011. Rickman passed away from pancreatic cancer five years later in 2016 at the age of 69.

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When paying tribute on Instagram at the time, Lewis said his co-star had given him the "greatest advice" he'd ever received.

He wrote: "I was at Leavesden Studios today when I heard the news. As I walked through the canteen I thought of Alan queuing up for his lunch with us mere mortals.

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"I recalled the trailer in which he offered me some of the greatest advice I ever received about this mad profession we shared. Being back in those corridors made me remember a lot of things and I will treasure those memories all my life.

"He inspired my career more than he ever knew and I'll miss him."

Watch: J.K. Rowling posted an emotional tribute to Alan Rickman