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Paul Bettany on Portraying Antonio Salieri in Starz’s New Limited Series Amadeus
NEW YORK – Paul Bettany, known for his roles in Avengers, A Beautiful Mind, and A Knight’s Tale, brings a thoughtful approach to his latest role as Antonio Salieri in the limited series Amadeus, premiering Friday on Starz. Bettany shared in a recent interview that he prepares for characters by exploring their desires and fears-a method he applied deeply to the historic composer Salieri.
In Joe Barton’s adaptation of Peter Shaffer’s acclaimed play, Will Sharpe stars as the flamboyant Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a daring 25-year-old musical prodigy shaking up 18th-century Vienna. Bettany’s Salieri, the city’s devout court composer, grapples with profound jealousy and spiritual turmoil as Mozart’s rise challenges his own sense of divine favor.
“I see Salieri as a compelling antagonist because you truly understand his pain,” Bettany explained. “He’s broken by the belief that God chose Mozart over him, and that devastation is deeply moving. Despite his reprehensible actions, he’s relatable-a kind of bad-guy everyman.”
As Mozart’s fame escalates, so does his mental unraveling under the weight of his musical genius. Meanwhile, Salieri’s envy drives him to undermine the younger composer rather than support him.
Bettany emphasized the strong camaraderie he developed with Sharpe, which was essential for tackling the emotionally intense scenes without straining their off-camera friendship. “Many actors treat performances like competitions, but Will and I shared a collaborative spirit,” Bettany noted. “We believed we could create something greater together.”
The series’ poignant final scenes, depicting Mozart’s deathbed moments, came to life through the synergy of the actors’ instincts, a finely crafted script, and the direction of Alice Seabright. “I had many ideas about the role, but those last scenes were uncertain until we were in the room,” Bettany recalled. “Thanks to Alice’s direction and our mutual trust, it all came together beautifully.”
Beyond the drama, Bettany hopes Amadeus will reconnect modern audiences-often absorbed in technology-with the power and magic of human creativity. “There’s something intangible about experiencing live music or theater, or watching actors collaborate,” he reflected. “Playing an A.I. in other projects, I see this show as a wonderful reminder of authentic human artistry.”
Amadeus premieres this Friday on Starz, inviting viewers to witness the timeless story of genius, rivalry, and the pursuit of artistic greatness.