Amadeus’ cast and characters: who plays who and where you’ve seen them before

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A new version of the classic play Amadeus arrives on Sky Atlantic today. It’s written by Joe Barton, the creator of the acclaimed series Giri/Haji, and based on Peter Schaffer’s original 1979 work.

Many know the story from the famous 1984 movie or the play it’s based on. It tells a fictionalized account of the intense rivalry between Antonio Salieri, a reasonably successful composer, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a remarkably gifted and unpredictable musical genius.

This is a story many creative people can relate to – the feeling of wanting to be talented but knowing others seem naturally gifted. It’s set to a beautiful backdrop of Mozart’s most famous pieces.

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But where have you seen those stars before?

The Amadeus cast

The cast of ‘Mozart’ features Will Sharpe as Mozart, Paul Bettany as Salieri, Gabrielle Creevy as Constanze Mozart, Rory Kinnear as Emperor Joseph II, Jonathan Aris as Leopold Mozart, Lucy Cohu as Cecilia Weber, Olivia-Mai Barrett as Sophie Weber, Hugh Sachs as Von Strack, and Rupert Vansittart as Rosenberg.

Who plays who in Amadeus?

Mozart – Will Sharpe

He was once a celebrated young performer for European royalty and was quickly becoming a prominent composer at the court of Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II in Vienna. Despite a reputation for being immature, crude, and living a wild lifestyle, he unexpectedly became the source of some of the era’s most incredible music.

Where have I seen Will Sharpe before?

You may recognize him from his role as Rodney, a memorable character in Joe Barton’s series Giri/Haji. He later gained international recognition playing Ethan in the second season of The White Lotus.

He’s a well-respected writer and director, beginning his career writing for the comedy panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks. He later created the acclaimed series Flowers and Landscapers, as well as the film The Electrical Life of Louis Wain.

Salieri – Paul Bettany

Salieri, an established composer, feels envious of the young Mozart right away. He pretends to befriend Mozart, but secretly tries to sabotage him, driven by a twisted belief that God unfairly favored Mozart.

Where have I seen Paul Bettany before?

Paul is a celebrated British actor, widely recognized as Vision, the ‘synthezoid’ character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially the series WandaVision. He’s appeared in a wide range of films, including Gangster No.1, A Beautiful Mind, Master and Commander, The Da Vinci Code, and Solo: A Star Wars Story. Many also remember his humorous portrayal of Geoffrey Chaucer in A Knight’s Tale.

Constanze Mozart – Gabrielle Creevy

So, in this game, Mozart didn’t just find his wife, Constanze Weber. He actually went after her older sister first, which caused a bit of a scandal! He ended up marrying Constanze, and the story makes it seem like they were genuinely in love, even though they were always struggling with money. Plus, Mozart’s dad was a total micromanager and constantly interfered in their lives. It adds a lot of drama to the gameplay, honestly.

Where have I seen Gabrielle Creevy before?

Gabrielle, a rising star from Wales, is newer to the acting scene than some of her colleagues. She gained experience with a few episodes of Casualty before appearing in the Welsh drama The Pact with Laura Fraser and Julie Hesmondhalgh. Her career really took off with Black Doves, a Netflix thriller created by Joe Barton, where she played the spy Eleanor. She also starred alongside Eve Myles in the BBC1 series The Guest.

Emperor Joseph II – Rory Kinnear

Though often portrayed as unintelligent, Joseph II was surprisingly forward-thinking for an absolute ruler. Many historians rank him among Europe’s most enlightened leaders, alongside Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great.

Where have I seen Rory Kinnear before?

Bill Kinnear is a familiar face as Bill Tanner in the James Bond films starring Daniel Craig, but he’s much more than just a supporting character. He’s known for leading roles in films like The Bank of Dave and its sequel, for his unsettling performance playing all the male roles in Men, and for a memorable, and unusual, role in Black Mirror. Recently, he captivated audiences as the enigmatic Tom Bombadil in Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Beyond film and television, Kinnear is also a celebrated stage actor.

Leopold Mozart – Jonathan Aris

Leopold Mozart, a stern and demanding father, toured Europe with his exceptionally talented son, Wolfgang Amadeus, and profited considerably from his abilities. He both spoiled Wolfgang and took advantage of his gifts. According to Schaffer, Leopold’s controlling nature even continued to haunt Wolfgang after his death, manifesting through characters in his operas.

Where have I seen Jonathan Aris before?

You probably recognize him as the exasperated detective from Sherlock – the one who constantly doubts Sherlock Holmes and thinks he’s a con artist. He’s also appeared in several popular shows, often playing authority figures, including Wolf Hall, The Night Manager, Good Omens, His Dark Materials, and Red Eye. He’s had smaller parts in films like The Martian and Rogue One as well.

Amadeus is on Sky Atlantic from 21 Dec.

The latest issue of Living Legends is now available, and this edition honors music legend Dolly Parton! You can purchase ‘Dolly at 80’ at newsstands or online for only £8.99.

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2025-12-21 11:20