‘Amadeus’ Series Starring Paul Bettany & ‘White Lotus’ Fave Will Sharpe Finally Coming to the U.S.

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A new TV version of the classic play Amadeus, written by Peter Shaffer, is coming to American viewers soon. The five-episode series first aired on Sky Atlantic in other countries, but Starz now has the rights to show it in the U.S., with a premiere expected later this year. Amadeus has been adapted before, famously as the Academy Award-winning Best Picture movie.

The new series, Amadeus, features Will Sharpe (known from The White Lotus), Paul Bettany (a familiar face from the Marvel Cinematic Universe), and Gabrielle Creevy (Black Doves). Sharpe stars as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arriving in Vienna and captivating everyone with his musical talent. Paul Bettany plays Antonio Salieri, a court composer who forms a close bond with Mozart, but whose growing obsession ultimately consumes him. Gabrielle Creevy portrays Constanze Weber, Mozart’s wife, who observes the events leading to his tragic and possibly premature death.

According to a recent report in Variety, Alison Hoffman, president of Starz Networks, made these comments about the show’s recent purchase:

We believe Amadeus is a fantastic addition to our original series. It’s a fresh, character-focused take on the famous and captivating rivalry from history. Featuring Will Sharpe, Paul Bettany, and Gabrielle Creevy alongside a talented cast, the series beautifully portrays the intensity, jealousy, and brilliance of Mozart’s life and times. Starz is known for its high-quality historical dramas, and Amadeus truly delivers on that promise.

The new movie about the musician debuted on December 21st and aired for five nights in a row on Sky Atlantic. Critics generally liked it, giving it an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but viewers weren’t as impressed, with a score of just 29%. The cast includes Rory Kinnear, Jessica Alexander, Lucy Cohu, Jonathan Aris, Olivia-Mai Barrett, and Ényì Okoronkwo.

What Is the Story of ‘Amadeus’?


Sky Atlantic

Since Miloš Forman first turned the play into a film, people have debated whether it accurately portrays the events surrounding Mozart’s death at age 35. The play presents a sensationalized version of what happened, but there’s no real evidence to suggest Salieri played a role in Mozart’s death.

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As a movie lover, I’ve always been fascinated by the story of Mozart and Salieri, and Peter Shaffer really took liberties with the historical record to explore their complex connection. He wasn’t so much interested in facts as he was in creating a compelling drama, and honestly, he played up Mozart’s famously playful and sometimes outrageous behavior. We all know Mozart was a genius, but the idea that his brilliance might have driven Salieri to… well, to do something drastic? That’s where the story really leans into speculation, and according to Variety, that’s exactly what the show is based on. Here’s what the synopsis says:

At 25, Amadeus comes to lively 18th-century Vienna, hoping to break free creatively after years as a young musical wonder. There, his life is changed by two important people: Constanze Weber, who will become his devoted wife, and Antonio Salieri, a deeply religious composer working for the court.

Despite facing personal struggles and a tarnished reputation, Mozart’s extraordinary talent shines, frustrating the more traditional Salieri. Salieri grows increasingly tormented by Mozart’s apparent natural gift, seeing him as a threat to everything he values – his own skill, his standing, and even his belief in God. Driven by this, Salieri resolves to destroy Mozart. What starts as a professional competition quickly spirals into a thirty-year obsession, ultimately leading to a confession of murder and a final, desperate effort to connect his name with Mozart’s forever.

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2026-01-17 03:35