A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2022: ENTERTAINMENT A MAIL ON SUNDAYS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 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. His air of dignity, his sonorous voice and the knowing wit he brought to each role continue to captivate new audiences today. But Rickman's artistry wasn't confined to just his performances. Rickman's writing details the extraordinary and the ordinary in a way that is anecdotal, indiscreet, witty, gossipy and utterly candid. He takes us behind the scenes on films and plays ranging from Sense & Sensibility, the Harry Potter series, Private Lives, My Name Is Rachel Corrie and many more. The diaries run from 1993 to his death in 2016 and offer insight into both a public and private life. Here is Rickman the consummate professional actor, but also the friend, the traveller, the fan, the director, the enthusiast: in short, the real Alan Rickman. Here is a life fully lived, all detailed in intimate and characteristically plain-spoken prose. Reading the diaries is like listening to Rickman chatting to a close friend. Madly, Deeply also includes a foreword by Emma Thompson and a selection of Rickman's early diaries, dating from 1974 to 1982, when his acting life first began.

The moving account of the life and early death of a young female activist, adapted from her own writings. Why did a 23-year old woman leave her comfortable American life to stand between an Israeli army bulldozer and a Palestinian home in the Gaza strip? Compiled from her letters, diaries and emails by Alan Rickman and Guardian journalist Katharine Viner, My Name is Rachel Corrie recounts, in her own words, her short life and sudden death. My Name is Rachel Corrie was first performed by Megan Dodds at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in April 2005, winning Best New Play at the 2006 WhatsOnStage Awards.

The community of Barchester is shaken from its cosy complacency when a newspaper's crusade against the Church of England's practice of self-enrichment misfires.

Overnight, Rev. Harding becomes a pawn in a battle between his younger daughter's beau, John Bold, and his older daughter's husband, Archdeacon Grantly. Little do they realise that the worst is yet to come, until a regime change delivers Barchester into the hands of a most unholy trinity: the weak-willed Bishop Proudie, the domineering Mrs. Proudie, and the insufferable Rev. Obadiah Slope.

A dream cast brings Anthony Trollope's Barchester novels charmingly to life in this engaging production from the golden age of masterpiece theatre. Featuring Alan Rickman in his breakthrough role as the odious Obadiah Slope.

Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter reprise their roles in this fantasy adventure sequel based on Lewis Carroll's novel, directed by James Bobin and produced by Tim Burton. Alice (Wasikowska) finds herself in a mysterious, alternate world after going through a mirror and emerging on the other side of the glass. While there she discovers that the Mad Hatter (Depp) is in danger and that Wonderland could be turned into a wasteland by the evil Time (Sacha Baron Cohen). As Alice tries to turn back time in order to save her friend she once again comes face-to-face with the Red Queen (Bonham Carter)... The film also stars Anne Hathaway as the White Queen and Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and Tweedledum while the voice cast includes Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar, Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat and Michael Sheen as the White Rabbit.

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. His air of dignity, his sonorous voice and the knowing wit he brought to each role continue to captivate new audiences today.

But Rickman's artistry wasn't confined to just his performances. Rickman's writing details the extraordinary and the ordinary in a way that is anecdotal, indiscreet, witty, gossipy and utterly candid. He takes us behind the scenes on films and plays ranging from Sense & Sensibility, the Harry Potter series, Private Lives, My Name is Rachel Corrie and many more.

The diaries run from 1993 to his death in 2016 and offer insight into both a public and private life. Here is Rickman the consummate professional actor, but also the friend, the traveller, the fan, the director, the enthusiast: in short, the real Alan Rickman. Here is a life fully lived, all detailed in intimate and characteristically plain-spoken prose. Reading the diaries is like listening to Rickman chatting to a close friend.

Madly, Deeply also includes a foreword by Emma Thompson and a selection of Rickman's early diaries, dating from 1974 to 1982, when his acting life first began.

From the makers of Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary comes the ultimate romantic comedy. This blockbuster film includes a fantastic all-star cast and an outstanding soundtrack.

The hilarious Love Actually explores the ups and downs of relationships in the weeks building up to Christmas. Boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives, fathers and sons and rock stars and managers all combine to make LOVE Actually not just one story but ten very different ones.

Because if you look hard enough you will find love actually is all around.

Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter reprise their roles in this fantasy adventure sequel based on Lewis Carroll's novel, directed by James Bobin and produced by Tim Burton. Alice (Wasikowska) finds herself in a mysterious, alternate world after going through a mirror and emerging on the other side of the glass. While there she discovers that the Mad Hatter (Depp) is in danger and that Wonderland could be turned into a wasteland by the evil Time (Sacha Baron Cohen). As Alice tries to turn back time in order to save her friend she once again comes face-to-face with the Red Queen (Bonham Carter)... The film also stars Anne Hathaway as the White Queen and Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and Tweedledum while the voice cast includes Alan Rickman as the Caterpillar, Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat and Michael Sheen as the White Rabbit.

Collection of three British romantic comedies. In 'About Time' (2013), following yet another uneventful New Year's Eve Party, 21-year-old Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) learns a life-changing secret from his father (Bill Nighy). It seems that the men in Tim's family possess the unique ability to travel in time by simply entering a dark space, clenching their fists, and imagining the place they want to be. Armed with this knowledge, Tim decides to leave rural Cornwall behind and move to London to become a lawyer, and in the process, find love. All seems to be going well when he meets and falls for the dazzling Mary (Rachel McAdams), using his newfound abilities to help win the day. But when a mishap in the time travelling manoeuvre threatens his future happiness, Tim soon comes to realise that, above all else, it's how you live your life in the present that really matters. In 'Love Actually' (2003), eight stories involving the love lives of more than a dozen characters are brought together over one Christmas and climax on Christmas Eve; from the recent widower Daniel (Liam Neeson), the failing marriage of Karen (Emma Thompson) and Harry (Alan Rickman), the aging rocker (Nighy) who just wants to get paid (and laid if possible), through to the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) falling for a member of Number 10's staff (Martine McCutcheon). In 'Notting Hill' (1999), Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) is the world's most famous movie star, whilst divorcee William Thacker (Grant) owns an ailing travel bookstore in his local neighbourhood of Notting Hill. One day Anna buys a book from William's shop and later collides messily with him on a street corner. She accompanies him home to clean herself up, and from there springs an unlikely romance. However, the path of true love is littered with obstacles, not least the media, the adoring fans and the differences in their lifestyles.

Double bill of BBC espionage drama mini-series based on the novels by John Le Carré and starring Alec Guinness as master spy George Smiley. In 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' (1979), Smiley has been in 'retirement' for some time, some say owing to his mishandling of the Czech scandal. However, the retiring superspy finds himself summoned back to the 'Circus' (British secret service) when it transpires that an enemy infiltrator is at work in the department. Smiley returns once again to his old department in 'Smiley's People' (1982) following the murder of his friend, General Vladimir, a Russian who once worked for British Intelligence. When it transpires that Vladimir was in fact a double agent, Smiley becomes engaged in a battle of wills with his old adversaries at the Moscow Centre.

"A powerful, thought-provoking and deeply moving piece of theatre."-Daily Telegraph"Theatre can't change the world. But what it can do, when it's as good as this, is to send us out enriched by other people's passionate concern."-GuardianI have been in Palestine for two weeks and one hour now, and I still have very few words to describe what I see. I don't know if many of the children here have ever existed without tank-shell holes in their walls. You just can't imagine it unless you see it. And even then your experience is not at all the reality . . . [due to] the fact that I have money to buy water when the army destroys wells, and of course, the fact that I have the option of leaving. I am allowed to see the ocean.-Rachel Corrie On March 16, 2003, Rachel Corrie, a twenty-three-year-old American, was killed by an Israeli bulldozer in the Gaza Strip as she was trying to prevent the demolition of the Palestinian homes. My Name is Rachel Corrie is a one-woman play composed from Rachel's own journals, letters, and e-mails-creating a portrait of a messy, skinny, articulate, Salvador DalA--loving chain-smoker (with a passion for the music of Pat Benatar), who left home and school in Olympia, Washington, "to support Palestinian non-violent resistance to Israel's military occupation." The piece premiered at London's Royal Court Theatre, with an award-winning, sold-out run, before its transfer to the West End.

All five films from the popular 'Die Hard' franchise starring Bruce Willis. In 'Die Hard' (1988), on Christmas Eve, New York cop John McClane (Willis) is visiting his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) in Los Angeles, where she works. They are attending a party at Holly's high-rise office block when terrorists, led by the suave Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), break in, taking everyone hostage. McClane manages to evade capture, however, and sets out to rescue his wife and the other prisoners. In 'Die Hard 2 - Die Harder' (1990), John McClane is again set to meet up with Holly on Christmas Eve, this time at Dulles International Airport in Washington DC. However, when terrorists take over the airport in an attempt to rescue dictator Esperanza (Franco Nero) from his incoming flight, it is up to McClane to restore order and ensure that Holly's plane lands safely. In 'Die Hard With a Vengeance' (1995), McClane becomes involved in a twisted game of Simon Says when an evil terrorist (Jeremy Irons) sends him dashing all over the city in an effort to find a series of explosive devices. Teaming up with electrician Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson), McClane soon discovers that the bombs are an elaborate ruse intended to provide cover for a billion dollar bank job. 'Die Hard 4.0' (2007) finds McClane routinely asked to bring in computer hacker Matt Farrell (Justin Long) for questioning. In transit, events overtake them as they witness a full-scale cyber attack on the country's infrastructure led by mystery man Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant), who plans to systematically shut down or destroy the nation's major networks over three days. McClane and his hacker friend have to stop the mastermind before it's too late. Finally, in 'A Good Day to Die Hard' (2013), McClane travels to Russia to help out his son Jack (Jai Courtney), who, unbeknownst to his father, is an undercover CIA operative trying to stop the theft of nuclear weapons. With the Russian mafia snapping at their heels and time running out, the pair soon discover that although their approaches may differ slightly, the end result is certainly no less explosive.

Richard Madden, Rebecca Hall and Alan Rickman star in this drama directed by Patrice Leconte. When Friederich Zeitz (Madden) lands a job with German nobleman Karl Hoffmeister (Rickman) he throws himself into the position while also agreeing to tutor Karl's son. As Friederich gets closer to young Otto Hoffmeister (Toby Murray) he also forms a bond with his employer's wife Lotte (Hall). When Karl suspects that his wife is growing too fond of his employee, he sends Friederich to Mexico for a two-year position supervising a mining project. Upon his departure, Friederich and Lotte agree to stay faithful to each other, however, when war breaks out Friederich's homecoming is severely delayed. Will Lotte stay true to her word or will time and distance get in their way?

British masterspy George Smiley (Alec Guinness) returns to his old department following the murder of his friend, General Vladimir, a Russian who once worked for British Intelligence. When it transpires that Vladimir was in fact a double agent, Smiley becomes engaged in a battle of wills with his old nemesis, Karla of Moscow Centre.

On Christmas Eve, New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) is visiting his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) in Los Angeles, where she works. They are attending a party at Holly's high-rise office block when terrorists, led by the suave Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) break in, taking everyone hostage. McClane manages to evade capture, however, and sets out to rescue his wife and the other prisoners. It is not long before he is running barefoot over shattered glass (ouch!) in a sweaty vest, muttering 'Yippy kay aye' as he dispatches the baddies with bullets and a certain earthy wit.

All five films from the popular 'Die Hard' franchise starring Bruce Willis. In 'Die Hard' (1988), on Christmas Eve, New York cop John McClane (Willis) is visiting his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) in Los Angeles, where she works. They are attending a party at Holly's high-rise office block when terrorists, led by the suave Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), break in, taking everyone hostage. McClane manages to evade capture, however, and sets out to rescue his wife and the other prisoners. In 'Die Hard 2 - Die Harder' (1990), John McClane is again set to meet up with Holly on Christmas Eve, this time at Dulles International Airport in Washington DC. However, when terrorists take over the airport in an attempt to rescue dictator Esperanza (Franco Nero) from his incoming flight, it is up to McClane to restore order and ensure that Holly's plane lands safely. In 'Die Hard With a Vengeance' (1995), McClane becomes involved in a twisted game of Simon Says when an evil terrorist (Jeremy Irons) sends him dashing all over the city in an effort to find a series of explosive devices. Teaming up with electrician Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson), McClane soon discovers that the bombs are an elaborate ruse intended to provide cover for a billion dollar bank job. 'Die Hard 4.0' (2007) finds McClane routinely asked to bring in computer hacker Matt Farrell (Justin Long) for questioning. In transit, events overtake them as they witness a full-scale cyber attack on the country's infrastructure led by mystery man Thomas Gabriel (Timothy Olyphant), who plans to systematically shut down or destroy the nation's major networks over three days. McClane and his hacker friend have to stop the mastermind before it's too late. Finally, in 'A Good Day to Die Hard' (2013), McClane travels to Russia to help out his son Jack (Jai Courtney), who, unbeknownst to his father, is an undercover CIA operative trying to stop the theft of nuclear weapons. With the Russian mafia snapping at their heels and time running out, the pair soon discover that although their approaches may differ slightly, the end result is certainly no less explosive.

Collection of four Tim Burton films. The stop-motion animated musical 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993), produced and visualised by Tim Burton, is set in a parallel world where different lands represent different holiday periods. Skeleton Jack (voice of Chris Sarandon) from Halloween Town becomes converted to Christmas and sets out to spread joy in the world. However, when Jack's mission leads him to kidnap Santa (voice of Edward Ivory) it becomes clear that he is not really in tune with the Yuletide spirit. In 'Alice in Wonderland' (2010), based on the characters from the Lewis Carroll classics 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass', the 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns to the magical world of her childhood adventure to reunite with her friends the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), Tweedledum and Tweedledee (both played by Matt Lucas), the Dormouse (Barbara Windsor), the Caterpillar (Alan Rickman) and the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry). Alice discovers her true destiny as she joins forces with the colourful denizens of Wonderland to overthrow the wicked Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). 'Frankenweenie' (2012), Burton's black and white stop-motion homage to Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein', is a remake of his 1984 short of the same name. The story follows a young boy called Victor (voice of Charlie Tahan), who harnesses the powers of science to bring his beloved pet dog Sparky back to life - with unexpected and alarming consequences. 'Ed Wood' (1994) is a biopic of one of Hollywood's worst film directors. Setting up shop in Tinseltown with plenty of enthusiasm but no discernible talent, Ed Wood (Depp) is undeterred when his debut feature, cross-dressing drama 'Glen Or Glenda' (in which he also stars) is a flop. He goes on to make 'Bride of the Monster', also a commercial and creative disaster, with ailing horror star Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau), before embarking on his most grandiose scheme yet: 'Plan 9 from Outer Space'...

Double-bill of fantasy adventures based on the novels by Lewis Carroll. In 'Alice in Wonderland' (2010), Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns to the magical world of her childhood adventure to reunite with her friends the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), the White Rabbit (voice of Michael Sheen), Tweedledum and Tweedledee (both played by Matt Lucas), the Dormouse (Barbara Windsor), the Caterpillar (Alan Rickman) and the Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry). Alice discovers her true destiny as she joins forces with the colourful denizens of Wonderland to overthrow the wicked Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). In 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' (2016), Alice finds herself in a mysterious, alternate world after going through a mirror and emerging on the other side of the glass. While there she discovers that the Mad Hatter is in danger and that Wonderland could be turned into a wasteland by the evil Time (Sacha Baron Cohen). As Alice tries to turn back time in order to save her friend, she once again comes face-to-face with the Red Queen.

Alan Rickman directs and stars in this British period drama alongside Kate Winslet and Matthias Schoenaerts. Landscape architect Sabine De Barra (Winslet) is selected to design a garden in the grounds of King Louis XIV's new Palace of Versailles. As she develops a professional relationship with the king's principal gardener André Le Nôtre (Schoenaerts), romance gradually blossoms between the two. Meanwhile, Sabine faces challenges in her new position within the palace and must defy the limits of her gender and class. The cast also includes Stanley Tucci, Helen McCrory and Jennifer Ehle.