Starz Sets Premiere for ‘Amadeus,’ With Will Sharpe and Paul Bettany

Starz has announced the premiere date for its new adaptation of Peter Shaffer’s 1979 play, “Amadeus,” which will debut on May 8. This new series, inspired by the Oscar-winning film, will be available to stream in the U.S. on the Starz app every Friday, with new episodes airing on the Starz channel at 8 p.m. ET.

The logline for “Amadeus” reads, “When twenty-five-year-old Amadeus arrives in bustling 18th-century Vienna, no longer a child prodigy and craving creative freedom, his world collides with two pivotal figures: his fiercely loyal future wife, Constanze Weber, and devoutly religious court composer, Antonio Salieri. As Amadeus’ brilliance continues to flourish in spite of his personal demons, a questionable reputation and scepticism from the conservative court, Salieri becomes increasingly tormented by this apparent divine gift. Amadeus is a threat to all that he holds dear in life: his talent, his reputation, even his faith in God. Salieri vows to bring him down. What begins as professional rivalry turns into a deeply personal obsession spanning 30 years, culminating in a murder confession and a desperate attempt to entwine himself with Mozart’s legacy forever.”

The cast of “Amadeus” includes Will Sharpe as Mozart, Paul Bettany as Salieri, Gabrielle Creevy as Constanze Weber, Rory Kinnear as Emperor Joseph, and Jonathan Aris as Leopold Mozart. Other cast members include Lucy Cohu, Ényì Okoronkwo, Jessica Alexander, and more.

“Amadeus” is produced by Two Cities Television in association with Sky Studios, with executive producers John Griffin and Rupert Lord. The series is written by Joe Barton and directed by Julian Farino and Alice Seabright. The show promises to delve into the complex relationship between Mozart and Salieri, exploring themes of jealousy, obsession, and artistic rivalry.

In other programming news, David Brancaccio will be transitioning to a new role as a special correspondent for “Marketplace” after his tenure as host of “Marketplace Morning Report” ends on April 10. Brancaccio has been with “Marketplace” since 1989 and will now focus on covering future effects and economic decisions. Additionally, the sketch comedy show “Studio C” will return for its Season 22 premiere on April 6, with guest appearances from Rainn Wilson and other stars.

Vice TV will also premiere “Soccer’s American Dream” on May 5, a docuseries chronicling America’s relationship with the sport of soccer. The series tracks the sport’s journey to relevance in the U.S., leading up to America hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Narrated by Alex Moffat, the show features stories from players, coaches, and team executives, exploring the long road to success for soccer in America. The highly anticipated new episodes of various shows are set to air weekly through June 9, offering viewers a plethora of entertainment options to look forward to. With a mix of documentaries, animated shorts, and scripted series, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

In exciting news, Darren Abbott has been appointed as the president of Hallmark Media, taking on the responsibility of shaping the company’s future and overseeing consumer interactions with their beloved content. Abbott’s extensive experience in overseeing programming, creative development, marketing, and brand partnerships makes him the perfect fit for this role, as he works to continue bringing joy and positivity to fans and consumers everywhere.

On the events front, Disney Branded Television has announced a nationwide talent search for emerging voice actors, focusing on animation. Ten lucky individuals will have the opportunity to participate in a workshop at the Disney Television Animation studios in Glendale, California, where they will receive hands-on experience in voice acting and character development. Submissions are open to U.S. residents aged 18 and older with strong comedy, music, and improv skills.

Meanwhile, Prime Video has released the trailer for the upcoming feature-length documentary “Jerry West: The Logo,” set to premiere on April 16. Directed by “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris, the documentary follows the life and career of NBA player Jerry West, delving into his struggles with depression, relationships, and feelings of being an outsider. Featuring interviews with NBA stars past and present, the documentary promises an insightful look into West’s life.

Tubi has also released the Season 2 trailer for “Big Mood,” starring Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West. The show returns on April 16 with all six episodes, picking up a year since Maggie and Eddie last saw each other. With the introduction of a new character, Whitney, the season promises to bring new challenges and competition for Maggie and Eddie’s relationship.

With a lineup of compelling content and new episodes airing weekly, viewers are in for a treat as they settle in for a season of entertainment and excitement. Be sure to mark your calendars and tune in to catch all the latest episodes and documentaries. The highly anticipated competition series, American Gladiators, is set to premiere its first three episodes on April 17 on the streaming platform. Following this, three new episodes will be released on April 24, with the final four episodes airing on May 1. The trailer for the show features the official theme song, “Rise Up,” by Jelly Roll, setting the stage for an action-packed revival of the late 1980s show with the same name.

Hosted by Mike “The Miz” Mizanin and Rocsi Diaz, with Chris Rose as the commentator, the series will showcase amateur male and female contenders from all over the nation as they step into the Arena to face 16 powerful new American Gladiators. Only one man and one woman will emerge victorious, conquering the Arena, claiming a prize of $100,000, and earning the coveted title of ‘American Gladiator’ champion.

The list of Season 1 gladiators includes names like Abigail Lay as “Blaze,” Ayinde Warren as “Neon,” Dani Means as “Voltage,” and many more. The competition promises intense battles and thrilling challenges as the contenders go head-to-head with the formidable Gladiators in their quest for victory.

In addition to the adrenaline-pumping competition, American Public Television has also unveiled the trailer for Season 8 of “Lucky Show,” featuring culinary expert Danielle Chang. The upcoming season, premiering on May 1, will be available for free on PBS.org. This season will delve into how Asian culinary culture has made its mark across the European continent, with episodes exploring cities like Copenhagen, Italy, Berlin, London, and Paris.

Host Danielle Chang expressed her excitement for the new season, stating, “Europe is often seen as the epicenter of culinary tradition, but never for the infusion of Asian cuisine. The diaspora runs deep and this season we explore how Asian culinary influences have taken root across Europe, sometimes in unexpected ways.” The show aims to showcase the evolution and intersection of cultures through food, highlighting the ways in which culinary traditions bring people closer together.

In other news, WebKyte, led by founder/CEO Olia Valigourskaia, has launched a public demo for “KyteScan,” a revolutionary anti-piracy system that scans major user-generated video platforms to identify copyrighted films and TV shows using advanced video fingerprinting technology. KyteScan boasts a database of over one billion video fingerprints, enabling it to detect copies of content even if titles are altered or audio tracks are changed. The system provides real-time analytics, showcasing where content is circulating, upload dates, view counts, and more, in a bid to combat piracy and protect intellectual property rights.

With these exciting launches and premieres on the horizon, viewers can look forward to a thrilling lineup of entertainment and innovation in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to catch the latest episodes of American Gladiators and Lucky Show for a dose of adrenaline-fueled action and culinary exploration.