Amadeus stars Paul Bettany and Will Sharpe talk Mozart drama’s ‘woke’ accusations and the “strange” power of conducting

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As 80s singer Falco famously put it, prepare to be surprised! Sky’s new five-part series about Mozart doesn’t shy away from scandalous scenes, moving between concert halls, royal palaces, and even brothels. One particularly inventive and explicit scene, taking place on a heavily laden buffet table, might not be crucial to the plot, but it’s certainly memorable. When asked if a strawberry was used during the scene, stars Will Sharpe and Paul Bettany confirm it was – a specially made stunt strawberry, in fact.

The film Amadeus, adapted from Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play, is set in Vienna during the late 1700s. It centers on Antonio Salieri, the court composer for the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Joseph II. Despite reaching the peak of his career, the deeply religious Salieri constantly questions his own talent.

Just when he was starting to worry, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a remarkably talented young composer, arrived on the scene. He was fleeing his strict father in Salzburg and eager to enjoy life in Vienna, the heart of the Habsburg Empire.

Salieri is a devout composer who prays for inspiration. Ironically, it’s Mozart – a man known for his wild lifestyle – who creates truly beautiful music. Consumed by jealousy and believing God has played a cruel trick, Salieri begins a secret plot to ruin Mozart.

So, both me and Benedict had to learn to play the piano for this role, which was tough! Benedict really nailed the piano parts, honestly. But I was completely fascinated by the conducting – especially leading the Requiem. It was an incredible experience, and strangely empowering. It felt like I had this real sense of control, which was a pretty wild feeling.

Mozart’s final composition, the Requiem Mass in D Minor, is described as “exquisite,” but some involved with its filming wondered if there was a divine influence. According to Sharpe, strange occurrences happened during shooting, particularly when the word “God” was spoken. He recalls instances of dramatic thunder and lightning coinciding with those moments, creating an almost staged effect and leaving the crew questioning what was happening.

The story of Shaffer’s play was previously adapted into a well-known 1984 film directed by Miloš Forman, starring Tom Hulce as Mozart and F. Murray Abraham as Salieri. However, this new portrayal of Mozart, played by Sharpe, differs from Hulce’s depiction of a childish and frivolous composer. Sharpe’s Mozart is a lively and outgoing character whose effortless ability to create beautiful music starts to feel like a weight. Sharpe explains that understanding the music itself was key to developing the character. He noticed the range in Mozart’s work, from playful and lighthearted pieces to grand and somber compositions.

Bettany portrays Salieri as deeply troubled, showing his internal conflict through actions like seeking out punishment and intensely focusing on his work – admitting it’s challenging, especially as he gets older. He also conveys Salieri’s loneliness and the haunting possibility that he isn’t as talented as he believes. Bettany relates to these feelings, saying many people question their abilities, unless they’re exceptionally gifted like Mozart.

Takehiro Hiraizumi, turning 40 next year, received critical acclaim and a Bafta award for his role in ‘Giri/Haji’ (2019). He later co-wrote and directed the film ‘The Electrical Life of Louis Wain’ (2021), featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy, and co-created the series ‘Landscapers’ that same year. In 2022, he earned praise for his performance as a complex character in ‘The White Lotus’. This leads to a question about Paul Bettany, 54, who became well-known in 2001 with ‘A Knight’s Tale’ and recently played Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Can Bettany, given his own career, relate to the feelings of jealousy experienced by his character, Salieri?

It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but playing this role didn’t feel that far from my own thoughts and impulses. I think everyone has selfish, dishonest, and unpleasant ideas sometimes, and usually keeps them hidden. It was liberating for us as actors to be able to explore those darker sides.

After the cast photos came out in August, people on social media pointed out that actor Will Sharpe, who identifies as British-Japanese, doesn’t fit the traditional image of an Austrian. Some criticized the casting as being overly focused on diversity, while fellow actor Guy Bettany jokingly remarked that no one seemed to notice he wasn’t Italian.

Sharpe doesn’t seem too concerned about the controversy. He explains he isn’t very active online and emphasizes that the play, and the current production, are largely fictional, not intended as accurate biographies. In reality, Salieri supported Mozart, and there’s no proof he felt like a failure. The story of rivalry likely originated with Mozart himself, who was becoming ill, and was then expanded upon by the Russian writer Pushkin in his 1830 play about Mozart and Salieri. Shaffer later adapted this into a dramatic and exaggerated story exploring the consequences of both jealousy and extraordinary talent.

The story, which started with playful and often crude humor, ends with a touching reflection on the value of art and how we’re remembered. As the sick Mozart finally understands Salieri poisoned him, Salieri realizes a cruel twist of fate: Mozart, not him, will be the one history celebrates.

Bettany describes a scene where his character, Salieri, touches Mozart’s hand and music begins to play. He admits struggling with how to portray this moment throughout the production, and reluctantly uses the word ‘organically’ to describe how it eventually came together. He worried using the term would sound pretentious, but felt it was the best way to explain the natural unfolding of the scene, especially considering how challenging it was to represent.

Amadeus will be available to watch on Sky and NOW in December.

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2025-11-24 21:19