The Sopranos

The Sopranos is a popular HBO drama created by David Chase.

The series stars James Gandolfini and Edie Falco. The show highlights the difficulties faced by Tony Soprano, a mafia boss in New Jersey, USA, as he tries to balance the varying requirements of his real family and his other "family".

The series begins with Tony collapsing with an anxiety attack, which prompts him to begin therapy with Dr. Jennifer Melfi. Gradually, we learn that Tony's mother is manipulative and possibly psychotic, someone in his organization is talking to the FBI, his children have troubled futures and his own superiors are plotting his death.

The Sopranos uses the mafia culture as an exaggerated version of the American nuclear family, to explore issues of class, sexuality, criminality, gender, family dynamics and generational conflict. Some believe that the show reinforces negative Italian American stereotypes.

The series premiered on HBO on January 10, 1999. As of 2003 four seasons had been completed, with a fifth season in production, and an abbreviated sixth season planned.