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Joe Barton is writing the screenplay for the limited series about the musical genius that reunites the team behind the crime series ‘Giri/Haji.’
By Etan Vlessing
Canada Bureau Chief
White Lotus actor Will Sharpe is set to play the role of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the musical genius, in Amadeus, a Sky Original limited series.
The drama will reunite the team behind the crime series Giri/Haji, with Joe Barton writing the screenplay for Amadeus and Julian Farino directing. The series, to shoot later this year, will be produced by Two Cities Television, in association with Sky Studios.
The project is a reimagining of Peter Shaffer’s 1979 stage play, Amadeus, to be adapted by Barton and with Sharpe in the titular role. Amadeus enjoyed award-winning live theater runs in London and New York and inspired Milos Forman’s 1984 film adaptation, which won eight Oscars, including best picture.
The Sky Original series will play up the mythic rivalry between a young Mozart in 18th century Vienna and fellow composer Antonia Salieri amid a clash of jealousy, ambition and genius.
“Recently unemployed and without the management of his father, Amadeus finds an unlikely ally in a young singer who will become his wife, fiery Constanze Weber Mozart. Her connections help bring him into the orbit of the court composer Antonio Salieri, setting the three of them on a collision course that will ultimately define their lives and their legacies for years to come,” a synopsis provided by the producer stated.
Paul Gilbert, Megan Spanjian, Michael Jackson, Sharpe, Farino and Stephen Wright are executive producers, while Farino and Alice Seabright will serve as directors. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution is handling international sales of the series.
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