The Sopranos is often regarded one of the greatest TV shows of all time and rightly so. Without the HBO original series, we wouldn’t have the bingeable TV box sets we have today. The Sopranos was heavily influential in starting ground-breaking tv dramas and because of that we have shows such as Game of Thrones, The Wire and Breaking bad.
The Sopranos first aired in 1999 and was created by David Chase. The Sopranos is more than just a mafia crime series, it’s also a strong family drama focusing on Tony Soprano and his family. He is the head of the New Jersey mafia, and so we also get a look at his other family, his crime family. The Sopranos certainly changed tv since it was the first time, we had an anti-hero as the leading character. As much as at times we despise Tony Soprano and his inexcusable actions, we also sympathise and route for a sociopath from beginning to end. Another reason for this could be because of the stellar casting choices, most notably James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, and not to forget Edie Falco who also stars as Tony’s wife Carmela Soprano.
This anti-hero series inspired multiple TV characters in the late 2000s, such as Walter White from Breaking Bad and Don Draper from Mad Men. The critically acclaimed drama won a total of 21 awards and was nominated 112 times from its run during 1999-2007.
Over six seasons we follow Tony Soprano as he struggles with panic attacks, forcing him to attend therapy. We also see the rise of him becoming the boss of the DiMeo crime family. The series was created by David Chase after he was heavily influenced by his close surroundings to the New Jersey mafia growing up. Chase’s family problems, particularly with his mother inspired the character of Tony’s insufferable mother Livia Soprano.
It was announced in 2018, around the 20th anniversary of when the first episode premiered, that a Sopranos prequel was in the works. It would be titled “The Many Saints of Newark”. It is directed by Alan Taylor who previously directed Sopranos episodes. David Chase is serving as writer and producer. “The Many Saints of Newark” was originally scheduled for release in September 2020 but was pushed back to October 22nd, 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and is expected to be released on streaming services.
What we know so far about the prequel is that it’s set in the 1960s and will look at the early years of the Tony Soprano. Jon Bernthal stars as Tony Soprano’s father Johnny Boy Soprano. Alessandro Nivola also stars as Dickie Moltisanti, who viewers know is Christopher Moltisanti’s deceased father who we never met during the show. We also get to see a young Tony Soprano played by James Gandolfini’s son, Michael Gandolfini. The resemblance between the two already makes it a perfect casting choice. Vera Farmiga will portray Tony’s mother Livia Soprano and Corey Stroll will play Tony’s Uncle Junior.
Other notable people to star, although its unknown who they will play at this time, include Ray Liotta and Leslie Odom Jr. Not much is known about the plot at this time, but we know it’s going to take place during the 1967 Newark riots when there was racial tension and poverty. It will also serve as an origin story of the mob family that we have come to know so well.
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