Sopranos

The Sopranos, commonly referred to as The Sopranos, is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase that aired on HBO from 1999 to 2007. The show centers on Tony Soprano, a New Jersey-based mob boss who tries to balance the demands of his crime family with those of his personal family, often seeking help through psychotherapy with Dr. Jennifer Melfi.

The series features an ensemble cast led by James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, with Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano, Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Melfi, and a supporting lineup that includes Michael Imperioli, Dominic Chianese, Tony Sirico, and Steven Van Zandt. The storytelling blends crime drama, family dynamics, and black comedy, employing long-running arcs, social realism, and psychological depth.

Produced by Chase and others, The Sopranos was shot on location in New Jersey and New York, and is noted for its cinematic visual style, complex characters, and use of therapy sessions to explore Tony’s psyche and conflicts within his mob organization. It helped popularize the era of prestige television, characterized by serialized storytelling and high production values.

The series received widespread critical acclaim and won numerous awards, contributing to HBO’s reputation for high-quality original programming. It is frequently cited as one of the greatest television series of all time, praised for antihero characterization, writing, and influence on subsequent shows about crime, family, and power.

The title refers to the Soprano family name, and Sopranos are the highest-voiced singers in classical music; the term provides a wordplay link to Tony Soprano’s surname.