Paul Bettany and Will Sharpe on the biggest difference between Sky’s Amadeus and the classic 1984 film

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The upcoming Sky series, Amadeus, created by Joe Barton, features Will Sharpe as Mozart, Paul Bettany as his competitor Salieri, and Gabrielle Creevy as Mozart’s wife, Constanze.

Okay, so this new movie isn’t a remake of the classic Miloš Forman film – it’s actually another take on the original play it was based on. But honestly, I think everyone’s going to be comparing it to the ’84 version anyway, and that’s just inevitable. It’s hard not to when the first film was so well-loved!

The actors have emphasized that the two projects are distinct, and they describe the new series as having a unique and unusual contemporary feel.

The series benefits from its length – five hours allows us to see the characters in more everyday situations and explore the story from multiple perspectives, like those of Amadeus and Constanze.

I was fascinated by the story of Amadeus, especially the idea that Mozart’s music seemed to come to him effortlessly. I started wondering what that experience was actually like for Mozart – what it felt like in his everyday life. That’s what I really wanted to explore.

Bettany, meanwhile, said that he “love[s]” Forman’s film, which he called “his last great work”.

Bettany praised Roy Scheider’s performance, calling him ‘brilliant’ and admitting it was a little intimidating. He compared the role to a classic villain like Iago, describing it as truly iconic.

I was really excited about the project and especially about working with Will, who I’d always admired. But honestly, working with him has been surprisingly difficult. I’ve ended up doing most of the work throughout the entire production, which has been a letdown, though I’m saying it jokingly.

I just really admire his work. We all connected and had a great time working together – we genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.

Creevy explained her decision to take the role, saying it was a really big challenge, which is something she always looks for. She likes to try new and exciting things to avoid feeling stagnant, and she’d always wanted to be in a historical drama. Plus, she thought the script was excellent.

As we discussed, Constanze isn’t a particularly well-developed character in either the play or the movie, which I found intriguing. I also really wanted to have some fun with this project. I sometimes get caught up in the work and forget to enjoy myself, and this felt like a great opportunity to do that.

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When asked about the differences between the series and the movie, Creevy explained that being involved in the series allowed him to understand the reasoning and motivations behind all the events.

Bettany also believes the show’s modern approach is a strength, making the story approachable for everyone. He feels it avoids intimidating viewers and allows them to easily connect with the narrative.

Amadeus will launch on Sky and NOW on 21st December – sign up for Sky TV here.

Don’t miss out! Add Amadeus to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download it today for daily TV suggestions, articles, and more.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at the TV production company Fremantle. He has a BA in English and Theatre Studies and a journalism diploma.

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2025-12-18 11:39