*The STARZ series “Amadeus” may be rooted in 18th-century Vienna, but according to its stars, the real story feels strikingly modern — and deeply personal.
During a recent junket interview with EURweb’s Kenny Pettis Jr., actors Paul Bettany (Antonio Salieri) and Will Sharpe (Wolfgang Mozart) opened up about reimagining the iconic rivalry not as a traditional period drama, but as a psychological clash between talent, insecurity, and identity.
“It’s About Something Much More Human”
“What’s sort of great about Salieri,” Bettany explained, “is he does really terrible things… but he’s incredibly relatable, I think, for the audience.”
That relatability, he says, is key to understanding the story’s emotional core.
“Genius is perhaps a little harder to relate to,” Bettany added. “What I actually loved about our show was that we opened it up… to Mozart and what the burden of that genius might have looked and felt like.”
Scroll to continue reading
Unlike earlier versions of “Amadeus,” which largely centered on Salieri’s perspective, this adaptation expands the lens — giving audiences a deeper look at both men’s internal struggles.
Inside Mozart’s Mind: Brilliant, But Socially Lost
For Sharpe, stepping into Mozart’s world meant embracing contradiction.
“Mozart is so at ease and so good at communicating through music,” he said, “but so terrible at normal life.”
According to Sharpe, the character’s brilliance comes at a cost — one that makes even simple human interactions feel complicated.
“He doesn’t know how to communicate. He doesn’t understand social norms,” Sharpe explained. “Things that other people might find simple, he finds complicated.”
That tension — between effortless genius and everyday dysfunction — becomes a driving force throughout the series.
Finding Truth in a Fictionalized World
Both actors emphasized that while the story is rooted in history, much of their work involved finding emotional truth within a stylized, fictional setting.
“You’re sort of trying to find truths in a kind of untruthful setting,” Sharpe said, noting the hybrid language and dramatized storytelling.
Bettany added that returning to Peter Shaffer’s original play helped ground the performances, especially given the expanded five-hour format of the series.
“Reminding yourself of what the main spine of the story is… I found really useful,” he said.
If Mozart Lived Today… He’d Be Everywhere
When asked to bring the characters into 2026, the conversation took a lighter turn — imagining Mozart’s modern-day playlist.
Sharpe believes the legendary composer would have no limits.
“He would actually have time for every genre of music,” he said. “He’d be fascinated by prog rock… and then he’d be like, ‘Wow, the rhythms in hip-hop are extraordinary.’”
Even jazz, Bettany added, would likely capture Mozart’s attention — particularly its improvisational nature.
“That would have fascinated him,” Bettany said, before joking, “That would have driven Salieri mad.”
A Rivalry That Still Feels Relevant
At its core, “Amadeus” isn’t just about music — it’s about envy, identity, and the painful question of what it means to be “good enough.”
And in 2026, that struggle might be more relatable than ever.
The new season premieres new episodes on Fridays at midnight ET on the STARZ app.
WATCH the FULL interview below.
(If You Like/Appreciate This EURweb Story, Please SHARE it!)
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Kevin Hart Reacts to Unflattering Wax Figure at Hollywood Wax Museum
We Publish Breaking News 24/7. Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
