Alan Rickman’s Best Roles

Alan Rickman was one of the most distinguished and beloved British actors of his generation. He became instantly recognizable for his uniquely languid and sonorous voice, a tool he used with incredible precision to convey menace, wit, and deep emotion. His talent was immense, allowing him to create a gallery of unforgettable characters.

He was remarkably versatile, moving effortlessly between roles as sophisticated villains, heartbroken romantic heroes, and absurd comedic figures. He had a rare ability to find the humanity in every character, often hinting at a world of feeling beneath a reserved or intimidating exterior. Whether he was the lead or part of an ensemble, Rickman’s presence elevated every film he was in, leaving a legacy of powerful and nuanced performances that continue to captivate audiences.

‘Quigley Down Under’ (1990)

In this western set in Australia, Rickman plays Elliot Marston, a wealthy and arrogant English rancher with a deep fascination for the American Old West. He hires an American sharpshooter named Matthew Quigley, believing he has found a kindred spirit. Marston’s charm, however, conceals a cruel and ruthless nature.

When Quigley learns that his new employer wants him to use his skills to hunt the local Aboriginal population, he refuses, turning Marston into his sworn enemy. Rickman portrays the villain with a cool, aristocratic menace, making him a formidable and despicable antagonist who underestimates the hero he has brought to his land.

‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’ (1991)

Rickman plays the tyrannical and outrageously malevolent Sheriff of Nottingham. He injects the adventure story with a huge dose of black comedy and theatrical flair. His version of the Sheriff is not just evil but also petulant, sarcastic, and prone to violent temper tantrums.

He completely owns the role, delivering memorable lines with relish and creating a villain who is far more entertaining than the heroes. His performance shows the Sheriff cancelling Christmas and threatening people with a spoon, making the character an unforgettable on-screen antagonist.

‘Rasputin’ (1996)

In this television film, Rickman takes on the challenging role of Grigori Rasputin, the controversial Russian mystic who gained incredible influence over the family of Tsar Nicholas II. The story chronicles his unlikely rise from a Siberian peasant to a powerful figure in the final days of the Russian Empire.

Rickman’s portrayal captures the magnetism and the mystery of the historical figure, showing him as both a healer and a debauched manipulator. He fully embodies the larger-than-life character, exploring the power he held over the royal family and the fear he inspired in his enemies.

‘Michael Collins’ (1996)

Rickman plays Éamon de Valera, a key figure in the struggle for Irish independence. De Valera is a shrewd and calculating politician who often stands in contrast to the more impulsive and action-oriented revolutionary, Michael Collins. He is depicted as a leader who prioritizes political strategy over guerrilla warfare.

The performance showcases a more restrained and intellectual side of Rickman’s abilities. He portrays de Valera as a complex and sometimes divisive leader whose decisions, particularly regarding the Anglo-Irish Treaty, have profound and tragic consequences for the future of Ireland and for his relationship with Collins.

‘Truly Madly Deeply’ (1990)

In this touching and imaginative romance, Rickman plays Jamie, a cellist who was the great love of his girlfriend Nina’s life. After his sudden death, Nina is consumed by grief until one day, Jamie reappears in their apartment as a ghost. At first, his return is a joyous miracle, allowing them to reconnect.

However, the reality of living with a ghost and his equally dead friends soon becomes complicated, forcing Nina to choose between clinging to the past and moving on with her life. Rickman is incredibly warm and charming in the role, portraying a character who loves so deeply that he is willing to come back from the afterlife to ensure his partner’s happiness.

‘Eye in the Sky’ (2015)

Rickman plays Lieutenant General Frank Benson. He is part of a command team, including British military and political figures, who are overseeing a top-secret drone mission to capture a group of terrorists in Kenya. The film is a tense thriller that unfolds in near real time.

Benson finds himself at the center of a complex ethical and political debate when the mission suddenly escalates from “capture” to “kill,” and a young girl enters the strike zone. He portrays a seasoned military leader who must navigate the moral ambiguities of modern warfare, delivering a performance of quiet authority and gravitas.

‘Dogma’ (1999)

Rickman showcases his comedic talents as the Metatron, a powerful angel who serves as the voice of God. He appears to the film’s main character in a burst of fire, revealing that he is on a mission to stop two fallen angels from re-entering Heaven and undoing all of existence.

As the Metatron, he is cynical, sarcastic, and completely exasperated by the messy affairs of both humans and angels. He provides crucial exposition for the film’s complicated plot, all while complaining about the frustrations of his divine job. The role allowed Rickman to deliver hilarious, profanity-laced dialogue with his signature intellectual weariness.

‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ (2007)

Rickman plays the sinister Judge Turpin in this dark musical adaptation. Turpin is the story’s main villain, a corrupt and lecherous judge who lusted after the wife of a barber named Benjamin Barker. He falsely convicted Barker and sent him away to exile in order to have the woman for himself.

Years later, when Barker returns to London as the vengeful Sweeney Todd, Turpin becomes the primary target of his murderous rage. Rickman portrays the character with a chilling sense of entitlement and cruelty, and he also lent his singing voice to the role, making Judge Turpin a truly despicable and memorable antagonist.

‘Galaxy Quest’ (1999)

In this beloved sci-fi comedy, Rickman plays Sir Alexander Dane, a respected British stage actor. He is haunted by his most famous role, the alien science officer Dr. Lazarus, from a long-cancelled television series called ‘Galaxy Quest’. He resents being typecast and openly despises the show’s fans and his famous catchphrase.

When a race of real aliens who believe the show was a historical document abducts the cast for help, Alexander is forced to become the hero he has only ever pretended to be. His journey from a bitter, cynical actor to a genuinely heroic figure is one of the film’s most touching and hilarious character arcs.

‘Perfume: The Story of a Murderer’ (2006)

Rickman portrays Antoine Richis, a wealthy and powerful nobleman in 18th-century France. He is the loving father of a beautiful red-headed daughter who becomes the final obsession of a gifted perfumer who has been murdering young women to capture their scent and create the ultimate perfume.

As the killer gets closer, Richis realizes his daughter is the ultimate target and uses his intelligence and resources to try and protect her. He becomes the main adversary in a desperate cat-and-mouse game, showing the fierce determination of a father willing to do anything to save his child from a uniquely terrifying predator.

‘Love Actually’ (2003)

As part of a large ensemble cast, Rickman plays Harry, the managing director of a design agency. He is married to his wonderful wife, Karen, with whom he has two children. Their seemingly stable marriage is put to the test when Harry becomes flattered by the flirtatious advances of his young new secretary.

His storyline is one of the most poignant and heartbreaking in the film, as he is tempted into an emotional and possibly physical affair. The plot follows Karen’s devastating discovery of his betrayal, creating a realistic and painful portrait of a good man who makes a terrible mistake and jeopardizes his family.

‘Sense and Sensibility’ (1995)

Rickman gives a wonderful romantic performance as Colonel Brandon. He is a wealthy, honorable, and dignified bachelor who falls in love with the passionate and impulsive Marianne Dashwood. Despite his feelings, he must watch from afar as she falls for a dashing but untrustworthy younger man.

Colonel Brandon is a quiet and reserved figure who is hiding a deep sadness from a tragic past. Rickman portrays him with incredible subtlety and warmth, conveying a world of unspoken emotion through small gestures and gentle glances. He embodies the patient and steadfast suitor who proves that true love is often quiet and enduring.

‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’ (2011)

Across eight films, Rickman created one of modern fiction’s most iconic characters, the Potions Master Severus Snape. Initially presented as a cruel and biased teacher who despises Harry Potter, Snape’s true nature and motivations remained a mystery for much of the series. He was a complex figure, seemingly a loyal servant to the dark lord.

The final film reveals the full truth about Snape’s character, showing his history and his unwavering, secret loyalty to the fight against evil. His story is ultimately one of tragedy, sacrifice, and unrequited love, making him one of the saga’s most heroic and heartbreaking characters. Rickman’s nuanced performance perfectly captured every layer of this incredible arc.

‘Die Hard’ (1988)

Rickman portrayed the unforgettable villain Hans Gruber. Gruber is the brilliant, sophisticated, and utterly ruthless leader of a group of thieves who take over a Los Angeles skyscraper during a Christmas party. He is not a mere terrorist but a master criminal posing as one to pull off a massive heist.

Gruber is intelligent, witty, and always in control, making him a perfect foil for the blue-collar hero John McClane. Rickman’s performance is a masterclass in elegant menace, creating a character who is as charismatic as he is deadly. He helped set a new standard for on-screen antagonists in the action genre.

‘Something the Lord Made’ (2004)

Rickman stars in this acclaimed television film as Dr. Alfred Blalock, a pioneering and often arrogant white surgeon at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1940s. The movie tells the true story of the development of a groundbreaking surgical technique to correct a congenital heart defect in infants.

The story centers on Blalock’s complex and decades-long partnership with his black laboratory technician, Vivien Thomas. Despite the racial segregation of the era, the two men worked together to launch the field of cardiac surgery. Rickman portrays Blalock as a brilliant but difficult man who relied heavily on his partner’s genius.

Please share which Alan Rickman role is your absolute favorite in the comments section.