So many celebrity deaths!

[Evie]

Rickman's death hit me hardest too. Thinking of sending in a donation for cancer research along with a note stating, "By Grabthar's Hammer, I shall avenge thee!"

[revanne]

Alan Rickman's death is the hardest one for me too, not least because of his qualities as a human being and not just as an actor.

A wonderful Snape, and he got to perfection all the ambiguities of a man torn between love and hate and ashamed to face his own goodness.

Trying to think of who I would have liked him to play in the Deryni-verse and I have come up with a few names, all of whom have a degree of ambiguity about them.

My list of three is: Matayas, Warin or Denis Arilan.

What think you, gentle readers?

[Jerusha]

I can see him as Warin de Grey, standing over Morgan in Deryni Checkmate, or driving the dagger into Duncan's shoulder in High Deryni.

I could also see him as Mahael Furstan.

[Evie]

Rickman would have been too old to play Matyas, but he would have made an interesting Warin!  Or despite being a bit old to play Arilan as well, unless in one of the later stories, I could see him doing a great job with that role.

Yes to Mahael also, although the man was so often cast in villain roles (and was very good at them!), I'd have preferred to see him in a role that allowed for more ambiguity or let him shine as a curmudgeonly hero.

[Shiral]

Twenty years ago, Rickman could have got away with Matyas. I can see him most clearly as Mahael, myself. Or with the right hair and makeup, possibly Wencit. Too late now, alas! Requiescat in pacem, Alan!

Melissa