The famous rivalry between Mozart and Salieri is making its way to American television. Starz has officially set the US premiere date for Amadeus, a new five-part limited series starring Will Sharpe as the musical genius and Paul Bettany as his jealous rival. The show first aired in the UK on Sky in December 2025 to positive reviews.
When and Where to Watch ‘Amadeus’ in the US
Amadeus will premiere in the United States on Friday, May 8, 2026, exclusively on Starz. New episodes will arrive every Friday after that. Viewers can stream the show on the Starz app, the Starz streaming platform, and all on-demand services that carry the channel.
For those watching the traditional linear Starz channel, the first episode airs at 8:00 PM Eastern Time on May 8. Following episodes will then play at 9:00 PM ET on Fridays. The show runs for five episodes total, with one new episode released each week.
What the Show Is About
Amadeus is based on Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play, which also inspired the Oscar-winning 1984 movie. The TV version comes from writer Joe Barton, known for his work on “Black Doves” and “Giri/Haji”.
The story follows Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Sharpe), who arrives in Vienna at age 25. He is no longer seen as a child prodigy and wants creative freedom. His life crosses paths with two key people: his future wife Constanze Weber and court composer Antonio Salieri (Bettany).
As Mozart’s talent grows despite his personal struggles and a bad reputation, Salieri becomes more upset. He sees Mozart’s gift as something from God, which challenges everything Salieri values: his own skill, his name, and even his religious faith. Salieri decides to destroy Mozart. What starts as work rivalry turns into a deep personal obsession that lasts 30 years. The story ends with a murder confession and Salieri’s attempt to tie himself to Mozart’s legacy forever.
The Main Cast
Along with Sharpe and Bettany, the series includes several well-known actors:
- Gabrielle Creevy as Constanze Weber, Mozart’s loyal wife
- Rory Kinnear as Emperor Joseph
- Jonathan Aris as Leopold Mozart, Wolfgang’s father
- Lucy Cohu as Cecilia Weber
- Jessica Alexander as Katerina
- Hugh Sachs 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
- Ényì Okoronkwo as Da Ponte
Who Is Making the Series
Amadeus comes from Two Cities Television (part of STV Studios) working with Sky Studios. The executive producers include John Griffin, Rupert Lord, Megan Spanjian for Sky, and Michael Jackson with Stephen Wright for Two Cities Television.
Julian Farino and Alice Seabright direct the episodes. Barton, Sharpe, Bettany, and Farino also serve as executive producers, with Seabright as co-executive producer. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handles international sales for the series.
What the Starz President Said
“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.”
UK Reviews Have Been Strong
The series already aired in the United Kingdom on Sky, and critics liked what they saw. The Standard called it a “sexy riot” and a “must watch.” The Financial Times described it as a “rip-roaring update driven by decadence.”
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How This Version Differs From the 1984 Movie
The 1984 film “Amadeus,” directed by Milos Forman, won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture. That movie ran for 160 minutes. This new TV version has five episodes, giving the story much more time to develop the characters and their relationship over three decades.
While the film focused heavily on Salieri’s confession to a priest, the series expands into Mozart’s personal life, his marriage to Constanze, and the political world of the Viennese court. The show also digs deeper into Salieri’s loss of faith and his growing obsession with bringing down Mozart.
Where to Watch Internationally
For viewers outside the US, Amadeus already premiered on Sky in the UK in December 2025. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handles international sales, meaning the show will likely become available on various platforms in different countries throughout 2026.
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