STARZ has acquired the US rights to Amadeus, the five-part series about the real-life rivalry between composers Mozart and Salieri. Based on Peter Shaffer’s 1979 award-winning play and adapted by Joe Barton (Black Doves), the show stars Will Sharpe (White Lotus) as Mozart and Paul Bettany (WandaVision) as Salieri.


“Amadeus is a perfect fit for our original series lineup — a bold, character-driven reimagining of one of history’s most intoxicating rivalries,” said Alison Hoffman, President, STARZ Networks. “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.”

WHAT IS AMADEUS?

The show follows a 25-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart after he arrives in 18th-century Vienna. No longer a child prodigy, he is trying to find his place in the world. As his brilliance grows into adulthood, Antonio Salieri becomes jealous of his friend’s apparently divine gift.

What begins as professional rivalry soon turns into an obsession spanning 30-years. Shaffer’s play was first brought to the screen in 1984 by Milos Forman. The Oscar-winning movie starred Tom Hulce as Mozart and F. Murray Abraham as Salieri.

Amadeus was originally commissioned by Sky in the UK and premiered in December to positive reviews. With an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score and the Financial Times deeming it a “rip-roaring update driven by decadence,” as well as The Standard calling it a “messy, sex riot.“

 The TV show also stars Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat), Lucy Cohu (Becoming Jane), Jonathan Aris (The Sixth Commandment), Rupert Vansittart (Game of Thrones), Ényì Okoronkwo (Renegade Nell), and Hugh Sachs (Bridgerton).


Amadeus joins STARZ’s lineup of popular premium period dramas, including Outlander, Mary & George, The White Queen, and The Spanish Princess. The series is set to debut exclusively in the U.S. in 2026

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