Putting the ‘Deus’ in Amadeus
This new five-episode series, which already aired in the U.K. and premiered on Starz May 8th, is based on the same source material as the famous 1984 film Amadeus and Peter Shaffer’s original 1979 play. Like its predecessors, it explores the imagined rivalry between Mozart and Salieri, focusing on how obsession and envy can be destructive. While staying true to elements like Salieri’s unreliable storytelling and a framing narrative about Mozart’s death, this version takes a different approach. The creator, Robert Barton, is particularly interested in the power dynamics within relationships – a theme he’s explored in previous shows like Giri/Haji and Black Doves. As a result, he’s reimagined the connection between Mozart and Salieri, bringing them into constant interaction. Mozart is portrayed as more worldly and aware, while Salieri’s initial distant resentment is heightened. The series also expands the story to include more perspectives, particularly those of Mozart’s wife, Constanze. By giving Mozart a more complex personality, exploring troubled relationships with his father and wife, and making Constanze a more assertive and resentful character who becomes a confidante to Salieri, Barton creates richer, more nuanced roles for the actors and adds depth to the central love triangle.
