Paul Bettany has joined Sky’s upcoming limited series “Amadeus,” which tells the story of famed composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
“The White Lotus” star Will Sharpe was previously announced in the role of Mozart. Bettany will play Italian composer Antonio Salieri, Mozart’s longtime rival. The limited series hails from “Giri/Haji” collaborators Joe Barton and Julian Farino and is reimagined from Peter Shaffer’s award-winning stage play.
According to a press release, “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.”
“Amadeus” follows 25-year-old Amadeus (Sharpe) as he arrives to the bustling musical hub of Vienna at the end of the 18th century. “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,” the show’s official synopsis reads. “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.”
Production is set to start in Hungary this spring.
“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,” Bettany said in a statement.
The BAFTA- and Emmy-nominated actor is best known for his roles in “WandaVision” and “A Very British Scandal.” Bettany most recently took his talents to Broadway, starring as Andy Warhol in Anthony McCarten’s drama “The Collaboration.”
“Amadeus” is produced by Two Cities Television, part of STV Studios, in association with Sky Studios. Executive producers include Sharpe, Barton and Farino as well as Megan Spanjian for Sky Studios, Michael Jackson (Patrick Melrose) and Stephen Wright (Blue Lights) for Two Cities Television. Farino and Seabright will serve as directors.
NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution is handling international sales of the series.
Bettany is repped by UTA and Affirmative Entertainment.
