Sky’s forthcoming historical drama series based on Peter Shaffer’s celebrated play has encountered significant online resistance following Tuesday’s premiere of its first promotional footage.

The five-episode production, Amadeus, scheduled for December broadcast on Sky and NOW, represents a fresh television interpretation of the material that previously inspired Miloš Forman’s Academy Award-winning 1984 film.

Social media platforms erupted with negative reactions immediately after the trailer’s release, as viewers expressed dismay at the decision to revisit the well-regarded cinematic adaptation.

Critics questioned the rationale behind creating another version of the story, with one user asking why anyone would attempt to improve upon what they described as “one of the most perfect movies ever made”.

The production has drawn particular criticism for its casting choices, with viewers taking issue with Will Sharpe’s selection to portray the Austrian composer.

Social media users highlighted that the actor, who has Japanese heritage, represents a departure from historical accuracy, with one commenting: “I had no idea Mozart was East Asian.”

Further sarcastic responses emerged online, including one user who wrote: “Is this the one where we find out that the true genius behind Amadeus is a paraplegic non binary Black woman that taught him everything and wrote his music?”

Another fumed: “What’s so original about this? It looks like the actors sat around for months watching THE original in order to copy their characters. No thanks.”

The casting controversy dominated much of the online discourse, with numerous viewers expressing frustration that the production had chosen to deviate from traditional portrayals of the 18th-century musical genius.

Viewers also mocked Sky’s promotional messaging, particularly the broadcaster’s claim to “believe in original stories” whilst announcing a remake.

One social media user pointed out the contradiction: “Lol they really ended that trailer with ‘believe, in original stories??’ Really?? After remaking perhaps the one movie that never, ever, needs to [be] remade??”

Another viewer suggested alternative approaches, proposing that the 1984 film should simply receive a 4K restoration and theatrical re-release rather than a television adaptation.

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Multiple users questioned whether audiences had requested this reimagining, with one stating: “Literally not a single person was asking for this.” (sic)

The backlash extended to broader frustrations about the entertainment industry’s reliance on existing material, with viewers calling for genuinely new content instead of revisiting familiar narratives.

Joe Barton, who adapted the play for television, addressed the criticism with a sardonic response on social media: “I wrote this.

“As part of our promotion, we are going to destroy every single copy of the 1984 original movie in existence, and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.”

The series features Paul Bettany as Antonio Salieri, the court composer consumed by jealousy over Mozart’s talent, alongside Gabrielle Creevy as Constanze Weber and Rory Kinnear as Emperor Joseph.

The production promises to chronicle Mozart’s rise and fall in 18th-century Vienna, exploring his rivalry with Salieri across three decades.

Two Cities Television, part of STV Studios, produced the series in collaboration with Sky Studios, with executive producers including Megan Spanjian, Michael Jackson and Stephen Wright.