The Sopranos

The Sopranos follows Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mob boss who tries to keep his criminal responsibilities from wrecking his family life. He struggles with panic attacks and begins seeing psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi, and those sessions expose his doubts, fears and self-justifications. The series tracks Tony's relationships with his wife Carmela, his children Meadow and A.J., and his Mafia associates, while subplots focus on his cousin and protégé Christopher Moltisanti and internal rivalries that test loyalties. Episodes mix violent confrontations with domestic scenes, staying focused on character decisions and their fallout rather than tidy resolutions. Tone shifts between dark humor and brutality, giving a detailed look at how Tony justifies actions in private and in business.

Premiering on HBO in 1999, The Sopranos was created by David Chase and Chris Collins. Its cinematic production values and serialized storytelling helped establish HBO's prestige drama identity and drew acclaimed actors and creators, and helped elevate several actors' careers.

It received broad awards recognition, earning numerous Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and wins across acting, writing and directing. James Gandolfini and Edie Falco drew particular praise for their performances, which critics and peers cited when honoring the series over its run. Its recognition signaled a shift in TV expectations.

The Sopranos reshaped pop culture and television storytelling, popularizing the antihero lead and opening the door for serialized, morally complex dramas. Its therapy scenes, sharp dialogue and striking opening credits are frequently referenced and taught in discussions about modern narrative TV. Scholars and critics still analyze its moral ambiguity.

Critics widely praised the series, and audiences continue to rate it highly, reflected in a vote average of 8.647/10 from 3,225 votes. Recurring themes include family loyalty, power and corruption, masculinity, identity and the psychological cost of violence. The show's pacing favored slow-burn character arcs and a realism that influenced later prestige television.