Starz Bolsters Period Drama Slate with Strategic Acquisition of Sky’s ‘Amadeus’

2026-01-16 companies

Santa Monica, Friday, 16 January 2026.
Starz strengthens its premium portfolio by securing US rights to the limited series Amadeus, a bold reimagining of the Mozart-Salieri rivalry starring Will Sharpe, set for a 2026 release.

Strategic Acquisition for Premium Content

Starz has officially secured the exclusive United States rights to Amadeus, a five-part limited series from Sky [1][6]. The acquisition, brokered by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, was confirmed in mid-January 2026, with the network planning to debut the series later this year [1][7]. This strategic move adds another high-profile title to Starz’s existing lineup of period dramas, which currently includes franchises such as Outlander and The White Queen [2]. Alison Hoffman, President of Starz Networks, described the acquisition as a perfect alignment for the network’s original series slate, characterizing the show as a “bold, character-driven reimagining” of the famous rivalry [3]. Hoffman emphasized that the network’s audience continues to be drawn to the power of premium period dramas, noting that this specific series delivers on that promise in “spectacular form” [1].

A Modern Take on 18th Century Vienna

Based on Peter Shaffer’s award-winning 1979 play, the series is adapted by Joe Barton, known for his work on Black Doves and Giri/Haji [1][3]. The narrative follows a 25-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played by Will Sharpe, who arrives in a bustling 18th-century Vienna no longer as a child prodigy but as a young man craving creative freedom [1]. His presence and undeniable talent collide with Antonio Salieri, played by Paul Bettany, a devoutly religious court composer whose professional rivalry with Mozart spirals into a personal obsession spanning 30 years [1][8]. The production features a robust ensemble cast alongside Sharpe and Bettany, including Gabrielle Creevy as Constanze Weber and Rory Kinnear as Emperor Joseph [1]. Filmed in Hungary, the project is produced by Two Cities Television in association with Sky Studios [2][5].

Critical Reception and Market Context

The series arrives in the U.S. following a strong critical reception in its home market, where it premiered in December 2025 [2]. Upon its UK debut, Amadeus garnered an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the Financial Times describing it as a “rip-roaring update driven by decadence” [8]. From an industry perspective, this deal underscores a continuing trend of U.S. networks securing rights to United Kingdom dramas to fill content pipelines [3]. As the volume of international co-productions fluctuates, securing a high-visibility title with established stars allows Starz to bolster its library effectively alongside other recent historical acquisitions such as Mary & George and The Spanish Princess [3][4].

Sources

Media Licensing