STARZ Acquires U.S. Rights to Amadeus

STARZ has acquired the exclusive U.S. rights to the five-part limited series Amadeus from NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.

“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.”

In the series, 25-year-old Amadeus arrives in 18th-century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom. He meets his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber, and a devoutly religious court composer, Antonio Salieri. As Amadeus’s brilliant continues to flourish, Salieri becomes increasingly tormented by his gift and vows to bring him down. What begins as a 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.

Alongside Sharpe, Bettany and Creevy, Amadeus stars Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat, Skyfall), Lucy Cohu (Becoming Jane), Jonathan Aris (The Sixth Commandment), Ényì Okoronkwo (Renegade Nell, The Lazarus Project), Jessica Alexander (The Little Mermaid), Hugh Sachs (Bridgerton), Paul Bazely (Such Brave Girls), Rupert Vansittart (Game of Thrones), Anastasia Martin (In From The Cold), Nancy Farino (Masters of the Air), Olivia-Mai Barrett (Invasion), Viola Prettejohn (The Crown) and Jyuddah Jaymes (The Boys in The Boat, Hijack).

The series is produced by Two Cities Television, in association with Sky Studios.