The Sopranos
The Sopranos
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The Sopranos

"Family. Redefined."

8.7
Yr 1999
Status Ended
Crime Drama
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Series Brief

Overview

The story of New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads. Those difficulties are often highlighted through his ongoing professional relationship with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. The show features Tony's family members and Mafia associates in prominent roles and story arcs, most notably his wife Carmela and his cousin and protégé Christopher Moltisanti.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 98 /100

The Sopranos is widely regarded as a watershed moment in television history, credited with transforming serialized drama into a refined art form. Critics praise the series for its gritty realism, nuanced characterizations, and its ability to balance traditional mob tropes with deeply relatable family, psychological, and domestic struggles. It is frequently cited as a cornerstone of the golden age of television drama, noted for its complex storytelling and willingness to explore themes that network television would not touch.

While the show depicts brutal violence and criminal behavior, reviewers emphasize that the series avoids glorification, instead presenting a stark examination of its characters' lives. The show's central conceit—a mob boss managing his professional and personal pressures through therapy—is lauded for its depth and original execution, distinguishing it from contemporary parodies or mainstream mob stereotypes.

“The Sopranos is often credited with turning serialized television into a true art form.”

“There has certainly never been anything like it on TV... it goes out on a limb that doesn’t even exist at the networks.”

“Chase acutely composes each individual with nuance.”

“The series went on to win 21 Emmys and cement itself as one of the leaders of the new golden age of television.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Crave Amazon Channel
CA
HBO Max Amazon Channel
US • UK
HBO Max
US • UK
Show 2 more
Now TV
UK
Crave
CA
Why fans love it

Premiering in 1999, this crime drama treats organized crime and domestic life with equal weight, carving out a satirical look at modern suburban friction. At the center is Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mafia boss balancing the demands of the cosa nostra with the needs of a deeply dysfunctional family. His personal and professional struggles regularly surface during ongoing sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi, grounding the high-stress mob environment in a layered therapeutic relationship.

Fans drawn to the series appreciate the sharp interplay between criminal enterprise and ordinary household drama. Anchored by James Gandolfini, the narrative builds complex story arcs around mafia associates, drug dealers, and key family figures, including Tony's wife Carmela and his cousin and protégé Christopher Moltisanti. From high-tension mob operations down to youth soccer games, the show finds its distinct identity in the messy crossover between home life and organized crime.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 13
Longest run 86 eps
James Gandolfini
James Gandolfini
as Tony Soprano
86 episodes
Edie Falco
Edie Falco
as Carmela Soprano
86 episodes
Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Jamie-Lynn Sigler
as Meadow Soprano
86 episodes
Robert Iler
Robert Iler
as A.J. Soprano
86 episodes
Lorraine Bracco
Lorraine Bracco
as Jennifer Melfi
86 episodes
Michael Imperioli
Michael Imperioli
as Christopher Moltisanti
86 episodes
Steven Van Zandt
Steven Van Zandt
as Silvio Dante
86 episodes
Tony Sirico
Tony Sirico
as Paulie Gualtieri
86 episodes
Show 67 more
Dominic Chianese as Corrado 'Junior' Soprano 86 episodes Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano 73 episodes Federico Castelluccio as Furio Giunta 21 episodes Steve Schirripa as Bobby 'Bacala' Baccalieri 61 episodes Vincent Pastore as Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero 30 episodes Drea de Matteo as Adriana La Cerva 61 episodes Nancy Marchand as Livia Soprano 27 episodes Karen Young as Agent Robyn Sanseverino 10 episodes Paul Schulze as Father Phil 13 episodes Tony Darrow as Larry Barese 15 episodes Leslie Bega as Valentina la Paz 7 episodes Joe Santos as Angelo Garepe 7 episodes Geraldine LiBrandi as Patty Leotardo 7 episodes John Ventimiglia as Artie Bucco 37 episodes Michele DeCesare as Hunter Scangarelo 6 episodes Al Sapienza as Mikey Palmice 10 episodes Lillo Brancato as Matt Bevilaqua 6 episodes Louis Lombardi as Skip Lipari 9 episodes David Proval as Richie Aprile 10 episodes Katalin Pota as Lilliana 7 episodes Ray Abruzzo as Carmine Lupertazzi Jr. 15 episodes Peter Riegert as Assemblyman Ronald Zellman 6 episodes Peter Bogdanovich as Dr. Elliot Kupferberg 14 episodes Annabella Sciorra as Gloria Trillo 7 episodes Steve Buscemi as Tony Blundetto 14 episodes Frank Pellegrino as Frank Cubitoso 11 episodes Jason Cerbone as Jackie Aprile Jr. 12 episodes Joseph Badalucco Jr. as Jimmy Altieri 8 episodes George Loros as Raymond Curto 12 episodes Lola Glaudini as Agent Deborah Ciccerone 7 episodes Frank Santorelli as Georgie 13 episodes Alla Kliouka as Svetlana Kirilenko 7 episodes Joseph R. Gannascoli as Vito Spatafore 39 episodes Joe Pantoliano as Ralph Cifaretto 18 episodes Oksana Lada as Irina Peltsin 13 episodes Frank Pando as Agent Grasso 11 episodes Richard Maldone as Albert Barese 10 episodes Richard Portnow as Attorney Melvoin 13 episodes Vincent Curatola as Johnny 'Sack' Sacramoni 32 episodes Ed Vassallo as Tom Giglione 8 episodes Dan Grimaldi as Patsy Parisi 47 episodes Frank Vincent as Phil Leotardo 30 episodes Danielle Di Vecchio as Barbara Giglione 7 episodes Tony Lip as Carmine Lupertazzi 10 episodes Arthur J. Nascarella as Carlo Gervasi 28 episodes Matt Servitto as Agent Dwight Harris 24 episodes Kathrine Narducci as Charmaine Bucco 19 episodes Sharon Angela as Rosalie Aprile 37 episodes Lenny Venito as James 'Murmur' Zancone 9 episodes Max Casella as Benny Fazio 28 episodes Maureen Van Zandt as Gabriella Dante 28 episodes Carl Capotorto as Little Paulie Germani 24 episodes Jerry Adler as Hesh Rabkin 28 episodes Robert Funaro as Eugene Pontecorvo 23 episodes Tom Aldredge as Hugh DeAngelis 23 episodes Suzanne Shepherd as Mary DeAngelis 20 episodes Elizabeth Bracco as Marie Spatafore 8 episodes Matthew Del Negro as Brian Cammarata 8 episodes Cara Buono as Kelli Moltisanti 7 episodes Marianne Leone Cooper as Joanne Moltisanti 9 episodes John Fiore as Gigi Cestone 13 episodes Joe Maruzzo as Joe Peeps 7 episodes Frankie Valli as Rusty Millio 7 episodes Will Janowitz as Finn Detrolio 12 episodes David Margulies as Neil Mink 8 episodes Toni Kalem as Angie Bonpensiero 11 episodes Greg Antonacci as Butch DeConcini 9 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Sopranos overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

new jersey italian american drug dealer strip club mafia boss dysfunctional family dysfunctional marriage family relationships organized crime mafia mobster psychiatrist family criminal organization cosa nostra fascinating dramatic satirical sympathetic appreciative excited football (soccer)
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
January 10, 1999
Status
Ended
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
3,610