Snape’s Long Overdue Glow-Up: Benedict Clarke Is All Grown-Up & Gorgeous
Benedict Clarke may have only had a small role in the final Harry Potter movie, but he is a beloved part of the fandom.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Benedict Clarke notably played young Severus Snape, who would become the Hogwarts Potions Master and Death Eater turned good guy (sort of), in the flashbacks to his Hogwarts days.
More than a decade later, the star is almost unrecognizable: you’d never guess that this swoon-worthy young man once portrayed an awkward kid who thought that he was above using shampoo.
Clarke is now 26 years old and looks nothing like his Harry Potter character! Although, he is a Potterhead himself and doesn’t shy away from attending fan conventions and Wizarding World events.
Benedict is still acting, but mostly in short movies. He is best known for 2012’s In the Wake of Sirens and 2022’s Murder in Provence. In addition to his work in the film industry, the actor is also keen on traveling the world and modeling.
By the way, the role of Severus was Benedict Clarke’s first-ever acting gig! In fact, he was originally considered for the role of both young Severus and young James. It was his innate awkwardness that sealed the deal in the end!
Interestingly enough, director David Yates was determined to go that extra mile to make Benedict fit the book description of the character. The star had to wear contacts (his natural eye color is blue), destroy his hair with black dye, and even endure hair extensions.
Not that we mind the transformation, but why didn’t the director take the same approach with Lily Evans’ look? Or why didn’t he care that the main character of the saga, Harry Potter, didn’t have green eyes (which was actually important for the plot)? Sorry, we are still pissed.
Anyway, Benedict Clarke did a fine job of portraying young Snape. Who knows, maybe he will get the role of James Potter in the new Harry Potter reboot… He certainly has that signature boyish charm that James is famous for!