Alan Rickman remains one of the most beloved actors of all time across almost every genre, from his breakout role as Die Hard’s villainous Hans Gruber to his heart-wrenching run as Professor Severus Snape, and beyond. From 1993 until his death in 2016, he also kept diaries: anecdotal, indiscreet, witty, gossipy, utterly candid; over a million words in Rickman’s calligraphic hand (adorned with beautiful illustrations) reflecting his previous career as a graphic designer.

On Rickman’s death, the diaries were passed to personal friend and fellow actor Neil Pearson by his widow, Rima; and acting on instruction, Neil secured a publishing deal with Cannongate, sight unseen, and the diaries were published in October last year. In this in-conversation event, Neil talks about the process of bringing the diaries to publication.