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

Amadeus, the new TV adaptation of the 1979 stage play of the same name by Peter Shaffer, will start streaming for American audiences soon. The five-part miniseries originally aired overseas on Sky Atlantic, but Starz has now acquired the series for distribution in the U.S. It is expected to premiere later this year. The acclaimed play has already been adapted for the big screen in the Best Picture Oscar winner of the same name.

Amadeus stars The White Lotus‘ Will Sharpe, Marvel Cinematic Universe icon Paul Bettany, and Black Doves‘ Gabrielle Creevy. Sharpe leads the series, playing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as he arrives in Vienna and mesmerizes those around him with his musical prowess. Among them is Antonio Salieri (Bettany), a court composer who develops a strong relationship with the young prodigy, and whose obsession eventually gets the best of him. Creevy is in charge of playing Constanze Weber, Mozart’s young bride, who witnesses the events around his downward spiral, which may have ended his life prematurely.

Per the report by Variety, president of Starz Networks Alison Hoffman said the following about the show’s recent acquisition:

“Amadeus is a perfect fit for our original series lineup — a bold, character-driven reimagining of one of history’s most intoxicating rivalries. With Will Sharpe, Paul Bettany and Gabrielle Creevy leading an extraordinary ensemble, the series captures the passion, envy and genius at the heart of Mozart’s world. Audiences continue to be drawn to Starz because of the power of our premium period dramas, and Amadeus delivers that in spectacular form.”

The music biopic premiered on Dec. 21, and ran for five consecutive nights on Sky Atlantic. It currently sits at 88% on the critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a significantly lower rating of 29% for the audience score. Joining the previously mentioned cast are Rory Kinnear, Jessica Alexander, Lucy Cohu, Jonathan Aris, Olivia-Mai Barrett, and Ényì Okoronkwo.

What Is the Story of ‘Amadeus’?

Paul Bettany plays Antonio Salieri in Amadeus

Sky Atlantic

Ever since the stage play was adapted the first time by Miloš Forman, there have been discussions about whether the story follows the true events around Mozart’s death at 35. While the original play offers a more dramatic course of events leading up to the composer’s passing, nothing official points to Salieri having to do with his death.

Shaffer drifted away from official documents in order to portray a unique relationship between the two historical figures, and with the use of absolute artistic license, he only added fuel to the fire of Mozart’s legendarily mischievous behavior. No one can deny he was a genius, but to say his genius may have driven Salieri to act against him would be speculation – one that seems to be the basis for the show. Per Variety, the synopsis reads:

25-year-old Amadeus arrives in bustling 18th Century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom, his world collides with two pivotal figures: his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber, and devoutly religious court composer, Antonio Salieri.

As Amadeus’ brilliance continues to flourish in spite of his personal demons, a questionable reputation and skepticism from the conservative court, Salieri becomes increasingly tormented by this apparent divine gift. Amadeus is a threat to all that he holds dear in life: his talent, his reputation, even his faith in God. Salieri vows to bring him down. What begins as professional rivalry turns into a deeply personal obsession spanning 30 years, culminating in a murder confession and a desperate attempt to entwine himself with Mozart’s legacy forever.