Sky's 'Amadeus' Series Unleashes First Look: Will Sharpe's Mozart Meets Paul Bettany's Salieri in an Epic Showdown

Get ready to plunge into the scandalous, brilliant, and utterly captivating world of classical music's most famous rivalry! Sky has just dropped the first teaser trailer for their ambitious new five-part series, Amadeus, featuring Will Sharpe as the legendary Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Paul Bettany as his envious foil, Antonio Salieri.

TL;DR

• Will Sharpe and Paul Bettany lead Sky's new 5-part series as Mozart and Salieri, respectively, adapting Peter Shaffer's acclaimed play.
• The series promises a lavish 18th-century drama, exploring Mozart's "meteoric rise and mythic downfall" through Salieri's tormented eyes.
• Set to premiere on Sky TV and NOW in the UK in December 2025; a US release date is still under wraps.

A Brand New Symphony for the Small Screen: Reimagining 'Amadeus'

Prepare yourselves, culture vultures and drama devotees, because the stage is set for a thrilling new rendition of one of history's most fascinating musical rivalries. Sky TV has pulled back the curtain on the first teaser for their upcoming series, Amadeus, and it looks like a truly "spectacular" five-part event.

This isn't just another rehash; it's a direct adaptation of Peter Shaffer's award-winning 1979 stage play, which famously inspired Miloš Forman's beloved 1984 Oscar-winning film. The new series aims to breathe fresh life into the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the "rockstar virtuoso of the 18th century," and the devoutly religious court composer Antonio Salieri, whose envy transforms into a decades-long, vengeful obsession.

The teaser hints at a lavish production, filled with the vibrant energy of 18th-century Vienna. We see glimpses of a mischievous Mozart, bounding through stately homes and even jumping to reach a chandelier, exclaiming "Very fancy!" His youthful exuberance clearly clashes with the more rigid, traditional world of the court, setting the stage for the dramatic friction to come.

The Genius and the Green-Eyed Monster: Diving into the Story

The core of Amadeus revolves around the arrival of a 25-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in bustling Vienna. No longer just a child prodigy, he's now craving creative freedom and ready to shake things up. His world quickly collides with two pivotal figures: Constanze Weber, who will become his fiercely loyal wife, and Antonio Salieri, the established court composer.

As Mozart's undeniable brilliance shines, despite his personal demons and a questionable reputation that raises eyebrows in the conservative court, Salieri becomes increasingly tormented. He sees Mozart's talent as an "apparent divine gift," which he perceives as a direct threat to his own talent, his hard-earned reputation, and even his faith in God. What begins as a professional rivalry quickly spirals into a deeply personal obsession spanning 30 years, eventually culminating in a murder confession and Salieri's desperate attempt to forever entwine himself with Mozart's legacy.

The series description itself promises to "expand and interrogate the mythic rivalry" between the two composers, portraying Salieri as the hero of his own story but the villain to history. This complex exploration of genius, envy, and legacy is what makes the Amadeus narrative so enduring, and this new series looks set to delve deep into those intricate psychological battles.

Spotlight on the Stellar Cast Bringing These Icons to Life

One of the biggest draws of this new Amadeus Series is its incredible cast, led by two prominent British actors in the pivotal roles:

• Will Sharpe as Wolfgang "Amadeus" Mozart: Known for his captivating performances in The White Lotus and Too Much, Sharpe is stepping into the big shoes once filled by Tom Hulce. The trailer already shows him bringing a spunky, rebellious energy to the musical prodigy, capturing Mozart's youthful zest for life and groundbreaking talent.
• Paul Bettany as Antonio Salieri: The WandaVision and A Very British Scandal star takes on the role of the envious court composer, made iconic by F. Murray Abraham's Oscar-winning performance. Bettany's Salieri in the teaser hints at a man deeply unsettled by Mozart's talent, intoning the chilling line:

"This repulsive creature played so exquisitely."

— Paul Bettany as Antonio Salieri in the Amadeus teaser

But the talent doesn't stop there. A robust supporting cast fills out this historical drama:

• Gabrielle Creevy (In My Skin) as Constanze Weber, Mozart's fiercely loyal wife.
• Rory Kinnear (Skyfall, The Diplomat) as Emperor Joseph.
• Lucy Cohu (Becoming Jane) as Cecilia Weber.
• Jonathan Aris (The Sixth Commandment) as Leopold Mozart.
• Ǎny Okoronkwo (Renegade Nell) as Da Ponte.
• Jessica Alexander (The Little Mermaid) as Katerina.
• Hugh Sachs (Bridgerton) as Von Strack.
• Paul Bazely as Von Swieten.
• Rupert Vansittart as Rosenberg.
• Anastasia Martin as Aloysia Weber.
• Nancy Farino as Josepha Weber.
• Olivia-Mai Barrett as Sophie Weber.
• Viola Prettejohn as Princess Elizabeth.
• Jyuddah Jaymes as Franz Süssmayr.

Behind the Scenes of Sky's Grand Production

Bringing this ambitious five-part series to life is a talented team of creators and producers. The show is created and written by acclaimed screenwriter Joe Barton, known for his work on projects like Black Doves, The Ritual, and The Lazarus Project. Barton's involvement suggests a fresh, possibly darker edge to the narrative, consistent with his previous critically praised works.

Julian Farino (Giri/Haji) serves as co-creator and director, sharing directing duties with Alice Seabright (Chloe). The series is produced by Two Cities Television (part of STV Studios) in association with Sky Studios. Executive producers include Joe Barton, Julian Farino, Will Sharpe, Paul Gilbert, Megan Spanjian, Michael Jackson, Stephen Wright, and John Griffin.

The collective experience of this team, from writing intricate dramas to directing compelling character studies, bodes well for a nuanced and visually stunning adaptation of Shaffer's powerful play.

When and Where Can You Watch This Musical Masterpiece?

Good news for UK viewers! The Amadeus series will premiere in December 2025 on Sky TV and will also be available for streaming on NOW. While an exact release date within December hasn't been confirmed yet, it's shaping up to be a must-watch addition to the holiday season viewing schedule.

For our friends across the pond in the US and other international markets, details on a debut are still elusive. Sky Studios' international sales are being handled by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, so we'll have to "stay tuned" for updates on where and when it might land outside the UK. Hopefully, it won't be too long before everyone can experience this "lavish period drama"!

The Online Buzz: Fan Reactions to a Beloved Classic's Reimagining

As with any remake or reimagining of a widely beloved classic, the announcement and teaser for Amadeus have generated significant buzz online – and not all of it has been harmonious. Many fans of the original 1984 film, which boasts a stellar 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.4 on IMDb, have expressed strong opinions.

Some viewers are "absolutely livid," calling the original "perfect" and questioning the need for a new adaptation. Comments on social media range from "literally not a single person was asking for this" to "Insanely brave (or maybe just insane) to try to remake this!" The film's impressive haul of eight Oscars, four BAFTAs, and four Golden Globes certainly created a high bar, making fans protective of its legacy.

A particular point of discussion has been the casting of Will Sharpe, who is half-Japanese, in the role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Historically, Mozart was not Asian, leading to some online users questioning the "historical accuracy" of the casting. One X user sarcastically remarked, "I had no idea Mozart was East Asian. It’s a good thing we have Hollywood to provide such historical accuracy here."

Adding to the online fervor, the series' writer, Joe Barton, playfully responded to the criticism on X (formerly Twitter) with a sarcastic jab, stating: "I wrote this. As part of our promotion we are going to destroy every single copy of the 1984 original movie in existence and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it." This tongue-in-cheek response certainly added fuel to the conversation!

Despite the initial skepticism from some corners of the internet, the series' creative team and talented cast are clearly committed to delivering a fresh, in-depth exploration of the compelling story that has captivated audiences for decades. Only time will tell if this "symphony that the viewers are eager to hear" manages to hit all the right notes.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 'Amadeus' Series

When exactly does the 'Amadeus' series premiere in the UK?

The five-part Amadeus series is confirmed to premiere in December 2025 on Sky TV and the streaming service NOW. An exact date within December is still TBD.

Where can I watch the 'Amadeus' series if I'm not in the UK?

Currently, there are no specific details available for a US or other international release. The series' international sales are handled by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, so stay tuned for announcements from your local broadcasters or streaming services.

How many episodes will the 'Amadeus' series have?

The series is a "five-part reimagination," meaning it will consist of five episodes, offering a deep dive into the complex narrative.

What is the 'Amadeus' series based on?

The Sky series is a direct adaptation of Peter Shaffer's award-winning stage play "Amadeus," which was first performed in 1979. It is not a direct remake of the 1984 film, though the film was also based on Shaffer's play.

Sources

• First Showing: "First Look Teaser for 'Amadeus' Series with Paul Bettany & Will Sharpe"
• Deadline: "'Amadeus' Trailer: Sky Teaser Stars Will Sharpe As “Repulsive Creature” Mozart"
• Variety: "'Amadeus' Teaser: Will Sharpe's Mozart and Paul Bettany's Salieri Face Off in Sky Series"
• The Sun: "Fans say reboot of 'greatest period drama ever made' is absolutely insane"
• Daily Express: "'Spectacular' Sky drama Amadeus drops first trailer with exciting release date details"
• SoapCentral: "Amadeus: Everything we know so far about the upcoming Mozart adaptation starring Will Sharpe and Paul Bettany"
• TechnoBuffalo: "Amadeus Trailer – Sky Takes on the Story of Mozart"