Soprano

The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The series follows Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey Mafia boss who suffers from panic attacks. He reluctantly begins seeing psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco), who encourages him to open up about his difficulties balancing his family life with his criminal life. Other important characters include Tony's family, Mafia colleagues, and rivals, most notably his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and his protégé Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli). Having been greenlit in 1997, the series was broadcast on HBO from January 10, 1999, to June 10, 2007, spanning six seasons and 86 episodes. The show was broadcast as a part of HBO's newly launched Sunday night programing block. After its original HBO run, the series entered broadcast and cable syndication in the United States and other territories. The series was produced by HBO in association with Chase Films and Brad Grey Television. It was primarily filmed at Silvercup Studios in New York City, with some on-location filming in New Jersey. The executive producers throughout the show's run were Chase, Brad Grey, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, Ilene S. Landress, Terence Winter, and Matthew Weiner. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential television series of all time, it has been credited by media commentators with helping usher in what some critics call a Second Golden Age of Television, marked by high-quality serialized dramas. The series won multiple awards, including Peabody Awards for its first two seasons, 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, and 5 Golden Globe Awards. The Sopranos has been the subject of extensive critical analysis and debate for its portrayal of organized crime and Italian-American identity, and has been referenced or parodied in other media, including a video game, soundtrack albums, podcasts. It has inspired tie-in merchandise.