Q 01/05

Who plays Snape in all eight Harry Potter films?

A) Gary Oldman

B) Alan Rickman

C) Jason Isaacs

D) Ralph Fiennes

Answer · why

B) Alan Rickman

Alan Rickman got the part only after another actor, offered it first, chose a different film. He then played Snape for a decade, from 2001 to 2011.

Q 02/05

Who was cast as Snape in the HBO television adaptation, as announced in 2025?

A) Paapa Essiedu

B) John Lithgow

C) Nick Frost

D) Luke Thallon

Answer · why

A) Paapa Essiedu

Paapa Essiedu was 34 when HBO confirmed him in April 2025, close to the Snape of the first book, who is 31 when Harry arrives; the films' Snape was 55...

Q 03/05

Snape was reportedly based in part on which figure from Rowling's schooldays?

A) A Latin master

B) Her piano tutor

C) Her French teacher

D) Her chemistry teacher

Answer · why

D) Her chemistry teacher

Her chemistry teacher, John Nettleship, was horrified when reporters first told him of the link, but he came to terms with the fame and ended up proud...

Q 04/05

Who sets fire to Snape's robes during Harry's first Quidditch match?

A) Ron Weasley

B) Seamus Finnigan

C) Hermione Granger

D) Fred Weasley

Answer · why

C) Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger. She was sure Snape was jinxing Harry's broom, when in fact he was muttering the counter-curse that kept Harry in the air.

Q 05/05

Rowling called which Harry Potter character the only one she deliberately based on a real person?

A) Rita Skeeter

B) Gilderoy Lockhart

C) Cornelius Fudge

D) Argus Filch

Answer · why

B) Gilderoy Lockhart

Gilderoy Lockhart. Rowling said the living model was even worse, a man who told whopping lies about his own brave deeds, so Snape's reported real-life...