In an exclusive revelation, actor Paul Bettany has detailed the most intimidating moment he faced while filming Sky's ambitious new period drama, Amadeus. Bettany, who stars as the embittered composer Antonio Salieri, confessed that he and co-star Will Sharpe were deliberately kept in the dark for a crucial scene towards the series' conclusion.
The 'Daunting' Challenge of Talking to God
Speaking at the drama's London premiere, Bettany explained that one scene stood out as particularly formidable. "There were so many," he reflected. "One is a scene at the end of episode two where I talk to God. That was a challenge. It was a daunting challenge and it will be for other people to decide if I figured it out or not, but I tried." This moment is a direct nod to Peter Shaffer's original acclaimed play and the iconic 1984 film adaptation.
The new series, masterminded by writer Joe Barton, expands the fierce musical rivalry between Salieri and the young prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played by Will Sharpe. While the original stage and film versions span around three hours, Barton's reimagining stretches the story across five compelling episodes, promising a deeper exploration of their feud and Mozart's marriage to Constanze, portrayed by Gabrielle Creevy.
A Scene of Spontaneous Trust Between Co-Stars
Bettany further teased a pivotal, unrehearsed moment shared with his on-screen rival. "Right at the end, with Amadeus... I can't give too much away, but there was a scene between Will and I, and we literally didn't know what we were going to do as we walked on set," he revealed. This spontaneous approach was built on a foundation of mutual trust developed over a long filming period. "Just because we had been working with each other for so long at that point... we sort of knew each other adequately to trust each other on that."
Will Sharpe echoed this sentiment, shedding light on their organic on-screen chemistry. "We were sort of finding it as we went along," he admitted. "We did rehearse but we didn't over-rehearse. There was a nice thing of finding that dynamic in a very natural way with each other on set." Sharpe described his instinctive approach to playing the unpredictable musical genius, which the director supported.
A Lavish Christmas Treat for Drama Fans
With its sumptuous settings, lavish period costume, and a dramatic rivalry at its core, Amadeus is poised to be a standout Christmas treat for fans of historical drama. The series promises unexpected twists that will engage even the most devoted followers of the classic tale.
Amadeus will premiere on Sunday, 21st December on Sky and NOW.
