Starz Acquires Sky’s Will Sharpe-Starring Period Drama ‘Amadeus’

Starz has acquired U.S. rights to Amadeus , Sky ‘s five-part limited series about the rivalry between composers Mozart and Salieri. Based on Peter Shaffer’s 1979 award-winning play and adapted by Black Doves and Giri/Haji scribe Joe Barton, the series stars Will Sharpe ( White Lotus ) as musical prodigy Wolfgang ‘Amadeus’ Mozart and Paul Bettany ( Wandavision ) as envious court composer Antonio Salieri. Gabrielle Creevy ( Three Women ) plays as Mozart’s loyal wife, Constanze Weber. Starz struck the acquisition deal with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, which like Sky is part of Comcast. The deal continues the recent trend of U.S. networks boarding UK dramas - the pipeline for which has dried up over recent years. “ 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 of 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.” Watch on Deadline The series recently debuted in the UK on paycaster Sky, and has been heavily marketed. The show follows a-year-old Amadeus arriving in bustling 18th century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom. His world collides with his future wife and devoutly-religious court composer Salieri as his musical brilliance flourishes in spite of his personal demons, a questionable reputation and skepticism from the conservative court. Rory Kinnear also stars as as Emperor Joseph, Lucy Cohu plays Cecilia Weber, Jonathan Aris is Leopold Mozart, Ényì Okoronkwo plays Da Ponte, Jessica Alexander is Katerina, Hugh Sachs plays Von Strack, Paul Bazely is Von Swieten, Rupert Vansittart plays Rosenberg, Anastasia Martin is Aloysia Weber, Nancy Farino plays Josepha Weber, Olivia-Mai Barrett is Sophie Weber, Viola Prettejohn plays Princess Elizabeth and Jyuddah Jaymes is Franz Süssmayr. Amadeus” comes from the STV Studios-owned Two Cities Television in association with Sky Studios. John Griffin is the executive producer, with Megan Spanjian also serves in the same role for Sky, and Michael Jackson and Stephen Wright for Two Cities. Julian Farino and Alice Seabright are as directors. Barton, Sharpe, Bettany and Farino also serve as executive producers. Seabright serves as co-executive producer. Amadeus will sit alongside other period dramas including Outlander , Outlander: Blood of my Blood , Mary & George , The White Queen and The Spanish Princess .

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