The Sopranoswas a show that left its mark in the history of TV. It was one ofHBO’s largest successesto date, both critically and commercially, andits villainous protagonist blueprintis one that continues to be copied by networks to this day (see massivelypopular shows likeSuccessionorYoufor relevant examples). Many of those involved, including writers and others behind the scenes, were pretty much given their choice of projects following the show’s success.
For example, Matthew Weiner was one of the writers and became executive producer ofThe Sopranosin its final seasons. This opened the doors and created opportunities for him to doMad Men (2007 - 2015)a few years later. Some actors have also worked on great projects since the legendary series aired its final episodes. Let’s take a look at a few other great movies and shows featuring cast members ofThe Sopranos.
10Enough Said (James Gandolfini)
Enough Saidis a drama/comedy directed by Nicole Holofcener that tells the story of Eva, a divorced masseuse (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who meets Albert (Gandolfini) and Marienne (Catherine Keener) at a party through common friends. As the plot develops, Marienne becomes a client and a close friend, and Eva starts falling for Albert, to discover later that he is Marienne’s ex-husband. After seeing James Gandolfini as he was trying to handle mob problems, his family, and his own mental issues, this movie is a lovely romantic comedy so that we can get a grasp on the softer side of this talented actor.
The movie premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and was well received. It was also released on James Gandolfini’s birthday and received a few awards nominations for the performances and the screenplay—a great option to watch if you’re looking forGandolfini at his bestafterSopranos.
9Nurse Jackie (Edie Falco)
Edie Falco, who is known for playing Carmela Soprano, Tony’s wife, has starred in her own show from 2009 to 2015,Nurse Jackie.Released at the time on the channelShowtime,it tells the story of Jackie Peyton, a hard-working nurse that needs to deal with her drug addiction and tries to balance her work-life routine.
With seven seasons, Edie Falco got an Emmy Award for the show as Best Comedy Actress, and the show got a total of 24 nominations. It was well-rated by the audience and the critics, with 87% and 81% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, respectively.
8The White Lotus (Michael Imperioli)
The great Michael Imperioli has been in the spotlight recently. After playing Christopher Moltisanti inThe Sopranos, the American actor starred in the recent season of Mike White’sThe White Lotus.Now in Sicily, Italy, this awarded drama brings another group of wealthy people that decide to go on vacation in a resort hotel.
Imperioli plays Dominic Di Grasso, a Hollywood man who brought his son and father to get in touch with their Italian heritage. Having to deal with sexual problems and his family, they try to reach their relatives in their hometown. We follow those tourists' lives and complex relationships alongside the hotel staff and some guests from the city, and their stories intertwine and collide during the season. With an excellent cast, the show is a must-watch and a great HBO hit, and it is now going toits third season set in Thailand.
Related:The White Lotus: 9 Most Despicable Characters in the Series (So Far), Ranked
7Lilyhammer (Steven Van Zandt)
Steven Zandt is an actor, musician, DJ, and producer. He played Silvio Dante inThe Sopranos, his first acting role. After that, they went on and acted in a few works, but in 2011, Zandt co-wrote, produced, and starred as Frank Tagliano inLilyhammer.Produced by Netflix in collaboration with NRK, a Norwegian broadcaster, it tells the story of a city with the same name as the title, host of the Winter Olympics in 1994.
With roots in Silvio Dante in The Sopranos, Tagliano is an ex-mob member who enters a witness protection program and goes to Norway in an attempt to escape the person he has testified against. The show was canceled after three seasons, but it’s an excellent reprise if you miss seeing Dante in action.
6Goodfellas (Tony Sirico)
Tony Sirico gave life to Paulie Gualtieri on screen. Initially auditioning for the role of Uncle Junior, he agreed to play Walnuts under the condition that his character ‘would not become a rat’. But apart from this show, he has played in several other mafia movies such asGoodfellas (1990),The Godfather (1972),Love and Money (1982),Innocent Blood (1992),Bullets over Broadway (1994)and more.
InGoodfellas, the great classic from Martin Scorsese set in the 60s and 70s where we see the story of Henry Hill, a small gangster trying to climb up the hierarchy of the mob with his two friends; Sirico plays Tony Stacks. A small role that came before he was cast as Paulie Walnuts, but that had a significant influence on it to happen almost seven years later.
5Tadpole (Robert Iler)
Robert Iler started his acting career just a year beforeThe Sopranosgot its first season in 1998. He played AJ Soprano, son of Tony and Carmella. With a few small appearances in shows likeLaw & OrderandDead Zone, he was also inDeadpoolfrom 2003.
InTadpole,Iler played Charlie, Oscar Grubman’s (Aaron Stanford) best friend ad confidant. This coming-of-age movie tells the story of a teenager who tries to win his stepmother’s love, believing she is her true love. Instead, he ends up making her best friend, Diane, interested in him. The film got the Directing Award for Gary Winnick at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival.
4Entourage (Jamie-Lynn Sigler)
The daughter of Tony Soprano, Meadow Soprano, is played by Jamie-Lynn Sigler. She started her career in the show, spent some months on Broadway and then went to television. In 2008, she appeared as herself in the seriesEntourage.The show tells the story of two friends, Vinny and Eric, who are trying to break out in Hollywood. With his brother and friends, they explore their friendship and the way of living in Los Angeles.
Produced by Mark Wahlberg and with the plot inspired by his life events, the show has numerous guest stars such as Jon Favreau, Armie Hammer, and Jessica Alba. Jamie-Lynn Sigler is a recurrent character that appears in season five, playing herself and dating one of the characters, Turtle.
Related:Best Cameos in Entourage, Ranked
3Rizzoli & Isles (Lorraine Bracco)
The famous psychiatrist of Tony Soprano, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, is portrayed by Lorraine Bracco. The actress had her breakout inGoodfellas (1990)after playing Henry’s wife and being nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress. Because of this, when she was auditioning forThe Sopranos, showrunner David Chase wanted her to audition for the role of Carmela, Tony’s wife. However, she thought that the part of Dr. Melfi would be more challenging and insisted on that.
After the show was over, she co-starred in a crime drama series with Angie Harmon calledRizzoli & Isles.It was based on the novels by Tess Gerritsen with the same name and tells the story of a detective and a doctor who team up to solve cases and catch a serial killer. With seven seasons, the show was well received and even got the People’s Choice Awards for Sacha Alexander in 2916 as Favourite Cable TV Actress.
2The Blacklist (Aida Turturro)
The elder sister of Tony Soprano, Janice, is played by Aida Turturro. After being on the show, she has made many appearances in comedies such asBrooklyn Nine-Nine (2013 - 2021)andWhat We Do in the Shadows (2019 - present). She is also a recurring character in the crime seriesThe Blacklistas Heddie Hawkins, appearing throughout four seasons as an accountant for Smokey Putnam in season 5, later working for Reddington (James Spader).
The Blacklistis a crime show with Spader and Megan Boone and tells the story of Raymond Reddington and Elizabeth Keen. Reddington is the FBI’s most wanted man and one day decides to turn himself him with one condition: that Detective Keen would be the one to interrogate him. Together, he starts to give her other criminals on his Blacklist, with an intricate plan that Elizabeth is trying to discover why he is doing all that.
1Boardwalk Empire (Dominic Chianese)
Junior Soprano, or Uncle Junior, was played by Dominic Chianese. Starting his acting career in the theatre, his film career began when he got cast forThe Godfather (1974)and played in several movies with Al Pacino over the years,The Godfather Part II (1974),Dog Day Afternoon (1975),…And Justice for All (1979), andLooking for Richard (1996).
On the television, Chianese was a recurring character inBoardwalk Empire,playing Mr. Whitlock in seasons 2, 3, and 4, a retired lawyer and poker broker. The show, produced by HBO, is set in Atlantic City in the 20s and tells the story of a political figure who rises to power and has to deal with his personal and political lifestyles. At the same time, he tries to dodge government investigations on illegal activities and connections to the mob. The final season jumps to the 1930s period, close to the end of the Prohibition law that was in effect during those years.
