The Sopranos: How the Iconic Series Continues to Shape Television in 2025

The Enduring Impact of The Sopranos

Nearly two decades after its conclusion, The Sopranos remains one of television’s most influential series. Running from 1999 to 2007, the HBO hit told the story of Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mob boss who seeks therapy after suffering panic attacks. The show is considered one of the greatest ever made and is credited with bringing about a second “golden age” of prestige television, an era that saw the arrival of more mature shows such as Breaking Bad, The Wire and Game Of Thrones.

David Chase Returns to Television

In a significant development for fans of quality drama, The Sopranos creator David Chase has announced a new TV show, marking his first return to the small screen since the screen turned black in 2007. Chase returns to TV with Project: MKUltra, a limited series for HBO that explores CIA chemist Sidney Gottlieb and Cold War mind control experiments. Since The Sopranos, Chase has only directed one film, Not Fade Away (2012) and executive-produced The Sopranos prequel, The Many Saints of Newark (2021).

Michael Gandolfini on Reprising Tony Soprano

Speculation about a potential Sopranos prequel series has circulated online, but Michael Gandolfini, the son of the late James Gandolfini, has addressed reprising the Tony Soprano role, clarifying his stance on playing the younger version of the character his father made famous. Gandolfini stated he would “love” to work with David Chase again but didn’t think the character of Tony would return, suggesting “Tony’s probably set to rest now for good”. It’s worth noting that there have been no publicly-disclosed announcements about any new TV series or movies based on The Sopranos, despite rumours circulating on social media.

The Sopranos’ Cultural Presence

Winning countless awards throughout its six seasons on HBO, The Sopranos’s accolades include 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, eight Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Peabody Awards. The series continues to maintain cultural relevance through various channels, including a recent fashion collaboration. The show’s lasting impact demonstrates how exceptional storytelling and complex characters can transcend their original medium to become enduring touchstones of popular culture, influencing not only subsequent television programmes but also fashion, music, and broader conversations about morality and the American experience.