Paul Bettany has joined the cast of Sky’s upcoming limited series, Amadeus, which will tell the story of legendary composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Bettany joins Will Sharpe (The White Lotus) who was previously cast as Mozart in the series. Bettany will take on the role of Italian composer Antonio Salieri, Mozart’s longtime rival.
The series comes from Giri/Haji collaborators Joe Barton and Julian Farino and it is a reimagining of Peter Shaffer’s award-winning stage play.
The press release says: “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.”
It’s explained: “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.”
Bettany said in a statement: “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.”
Production on the series is set to start in Hungary this spring.
While we’re on the subject of Amadeus, if you’ve never seen the 1984 film that Miloš Forman directed, that stars Tom Hulce and F. Murray Abraham, you’ve got to watch that film!