A reimagining of Peter Shaffer's award-winning play, it will expand and interrogate the mythical rivalry between the two composers. As the hero of his own story, but the villain of history, Salieri's envy turns vengeful and he uses whatever means necessary to thwart Mozart and protect his position in the established order.
Bettany (pictured) will play famed composer Antonio Salieri in Amadeus, while Sharpe will play Mozart, as previously revealed.
Joe Barton, screenwriter of Giri/Haji, The Lazarus Project and the upcoming Black Doves for Netflix, is writing the series and Julian Farino is directing.
Two Cities Television, owned by STV Studios, produces in association with Sky Studios. Megan Spanjian is executive producer for Sky Studios. Michael Jackson and Stephen Wright are executive producers for Two Cities Television, with Farino and Alice Seabright serving as directors. Barton, Sharpe and Farino also executive produce.
Production will start this spring in Hungary. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution is handling international sales of the series.
Bettany is known for his roles in series such as the Amazon Studios and BBC drama A Very British Scandal and as Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Disney+ series Marvel's WandaVision.
“I can't wait to work with Julian Farino, Joe Barton, Sky and Sharpe, who I think is the most exciting actor of his generation,” said Bettany.