Paul Bettany and Will Sharpe's one-sided rivalry, Amadeus, begins next month

Salieri, the champion of the world's mediocrities, reclaims his title in Starz's new adaptation of Amadeus, premiering May 8.

By Matt Schimkowitz  |  April 1, 2026 | 1:00pm
Courtesy of Starz
TV News Amadeus
Paul Bettany and Will Sharpe's one-sided rivalry, Amadeus, begins next month

Start writing your requiem; the new adaptation of classical music’s hottest one-sided rivalry is headed to Starz. Based on Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play, Starz’s new limited series Amadeus, starring Paul Bettany and Will Sharpe, premieres on May 8. Bettany will star as Antonio Salieri, the Viennese court composer, champion of mediocrity, and the begrudging biggest fan of Mozart’s ability to channel the voice of God. Meanwhile, The White Lotus‘ Will Sharpe cackles his way to fame as history’s greatest composer, Amadeus Mozart, who lives in Salieri’s head rent-free. This “five-part reimagination” of the story will obviously be a longer adaptation than 1984’s Best Picture-winning adaptation, but Bettany as Salieri sounds like music to our ears. 

Here’s the synopsis: 

“When twenty-five-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 scepticism 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.”

Amadeus premieres on Starz on May 8 with new episodes available weekly on Fridays.

 
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