Its six-season run was a success. The SopranosTelevision changed everything, earning it the title of the greatest show of all time.
The HBO crime drama “The Sopranos” began January 1999 with Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), reluctantly walking into Jennifer Melfi’s office as his new psychiatrist.Lorraine BraccoAfter having a panic attack, he was able to fly again. The pilot set the stage for what was to come: countless clashes between Tony and Dr. Melfi, awe-inspiring patience from Tony’s wife, Carmela Soprano (Edie FalcoMeadow (and their children),Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and A.J. (Robert Iler), and perhaps more mafia-related bullets and bloodshed than TV had ever seen before.
Viewers followed Tony as it was difficult for him to manage his everyday life in New Jersey and his role as boss of a notorious crime family. Sometimes he had trouble doing so. His serial womanizing put a strain on his marriage to Carmela. He also had a short temper that caused trouble with his mother Livia Soprano, Nancy Marchand, and his nephew Christopher Moltisanti.Michael Imperioli) and other close relatives.
And yet, fans loved tuning in to Tony’s antics week after week, flaws and all. They became so attached to Tony’s character over the years, that some even had trouble telling the difference between real life and fiction.
“I was living in the meat-market district on the far West Side [of New York City], below 14th Street,” Gandolfini recalled to Vanity FairIn April 2007, two months prior to the series finale, it aired. “I heard this banging on the outside door and screaming. It was late, almost past midnight. I opened the door and the man turned white. All of a sudden I realize, ‘Oh, f—k, he thinks I’m Tony.’”
Viewers were also entranced by Meadow and A.J., who quickly became aware of their father’s criminal activities as the show went on, as well as Christopher’s struggles with love, addiction and trying to live up to his uncle’s expectations.
The success of the company is a testament to its achievements. David ChaseAmong other accolades, 21 Primetime Emmys were won, five Golden Globes were received, and two Peabody Awards were presented to the series. It was also the birthplace of a successful videogame, merchandise, and, most recently podcasts hosted by cast members like Imperioli. Steve SchirripaAnd Drea de Matteo. A prequel movie titled The Many Saints of Newark is due in 2021, starring the late Gandolfini’s son, Michael GandolfiniTony, as a young man.
Keep scrolling for a complete list of cast members:
