AMADEUS

Bettany stars opposite previously announced Will Sharpe in the Sky Original series, adapted by Joe Barton

BAFTA and Emmy-nominated British actor Paul Bettany (A Very British Scandal, WandaVision) will star in Sky Original series Amadeus, a playfully reimagined limited event series from writer Joe Barton (Giri/Haji, The Lazarus Project) and director Julian Farino (Giri/Haji). Bettany is an acclaimed British talent of film, television and theatre, most recently seen in Amazon Studios’ and the BBC’s A Very British Scandal and as ‘Vision’ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Disney+ series WandaVision. On stage, Bettany most recently starred in the Broadway production of Anthony McCarten’s drama The Collaboration as the iconic Andy Warhol.

In Sky Original series Amadeus, Bettany will portray the renowned composer Antonio Salieri opposite previously announced Will Sharpe (Giri/Haji, The White Lotus S2) in the titular role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  Deftly reimagined from Peter Shaffer’s award-winning stage play, Barton’s adaptation will expand and interrogate the mythic rivalry of the two composers. Hero of his own story but villain to history, Salieri’s envy turns vengeful as he uses any means necessary to thwart Mozart and protect his position in the establishment. 

Paul Bettany said: “I can’t wait to work with Julian Farino, Joe Barton, Sky, and Will Sharpe who, for my money, is hands down the most exciting actor of his generation.”

Set within the musical hub of bustling Vienna at the end of the 18th century, twenty-five-year-old Amadeus (Sharpe) arrives in the city no longer a child and determined to carve his own path. Recently unemployed and without the management of his father, Amadeus finds an unlikely ally in a young singer who will become his wife, fiery Constanze Weber Mozart. Her connections help bring him into the orbit of the Italian opera powerhouse and court composer Antonio Salieri (Bettany), setting the three of them on a collision course that will ultimately define their lives and their legacies for years to come.

Amadeus is produced by Two Cities Television (part of STV Studios) in association with Sky Studios. Megan Spanjian is Executive Producer for Sky Studios. Michael Jackson (Patrick Melrose) and Stephen Wright (Blue Lights) are Executive Producers for Two Cities Television. Julian Farino (Giri/Haji) and Alice Seabright (Chloe, Sex Education) will serve as directors. Barton, Sharpe and Farino also serve as Executive Producers.

Production is due to start in Hungary this Spring. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handle international sales of the series. 

Bettany is repped by UTA and Affirmative Entertainment.