The Sopranos, which rose to cultural prominence in the late '90s, is considered one of the greatest television shows ever made. For six seasons, the cast of the mafioso hit had millions of viewers laughing, crying, and screaming alongside them each week. Decades later, the HBO series remains a binge-worthy classic among younger generations.
Even if you’ve watched the show from start to finish and consider yourself a diehard fan, many interesting things went on behind the scenes that you may not be aware of. Here, we take a look.
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1
Tony Soprano was almost played by someone else
We can’t imagine a world where James Gandolfini didn’t play Tony Soprano, but this, in fact, was almost a reality. As it turns out, the show’s creator, David Chase, was originally debating whether to cast Steven Van Zandt as Tony. However, he ultimately decided to give Gandolfini the role and had Van Zandt play Silvio.
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2
The series was originally a feature film
Chase originally wrote The Sopranos as a movie, not a series. It wasn’t until he got feedback from his manager, Lloyd Braun, that he decided to turn it into a television show.
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3
It was heavily inspired by the creator's life
Chase drew on experiences from his personal life when writing scenes for the hit show. For instance, Lorraine Bracco’s character, Dr. Melfi, was based on his therapist, and Tony’s mother, Livia, was influenced by his mother. “I used to tell people stories about my mother, things she said and did,” Chase told 60 Minutes in a 2005 interview. “My wife, first of all, said, ‘One day you have to write about her because she’s hysterical.'”
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4
The show is named after the creator’s high school friends
Chase didn’t choose the title to be The Sopranos just because it sounded good. Instead, he named it after his high school friends.
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5
Fox passed on the series
It’s hard to imagine any network passing on the mega-series now, but Fox did.
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6
Many of the actors appear in other films together
If you feel like you’ve seen some of the Sopranos actors in films together, you’re not dreaming. Movies including Goodfellas, Gotti, Bullets Over Broadway, and The Irishman all feature at least three of the HBO show’s characters.
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7
Lorraine Bracco was originally supposed to play Carmela Soprano
Lorraine Bracco did an excellent job at playing Dr. Melfi—in fact, she won a Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of Tony’s therapist. However, Chase initially considered casting her as Tony’s wife, Carmela. Bracco turned down the role because she played a mob wife in Goodfellas and wanted to try something different.
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8
The majority of filming was done at Silvercup Studios in Queens
Most scenes that take place indoors, including the Soprano family home and Dr. Melfi’s office, were filmed on a soundstage at Silvercup Studios in Long Island City, Queens.
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9
This iconic location was demolished after the show ended
If you’ve ever seen the show, you know just how central Satriale’s Pork Store is. As the story goes, when HBO gave the series the greenlight, its producers decided to lease a storefront in New Jersey and turn it into an Italian butcher shop. For all six seasons, the filming location of the pork store in the show remained the same. When the show finally ended, the building was torn down.
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10
Bada Bing! was an actual strip club
Bada Bing! was actually the Satin Dolls strip club located in Lodi, New Jersey. The Sopranos cast and crew shot during the club’s off-hours.
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11
Gandolfini once worked in a nightclub
After graduating from Rutgers University in New Jersey, the actor moved to New York City and managed the well-known night club, Private Eyes, on 21st Street. Through the years, stars including Bette Midler, Madonna, Andy Warhol, and more frequented the hotspot.
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12
This character needed full hair and makeup to get into character
Drea de Matteo, who played Adriana La Cerva, shared in her 2013 Reddit AMA that she needed to be in full costume and makeup to really become Adriana. “I couldn't get into character for Sopranos unless my nails were completely manicured and at least an inch long,” de Matteo explained. She also added that she needed to have her hair done and, most importantly, her stilettos on, too. “A lot of times actors will put Uggs on if you don't see the character's feet—not me, man, I had to have those stilettos on, otherwise I couldn't even play across from who we were shooting.”
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13
This Sopranos actor guest starred on another popular show
Edie Falco, who played Tony’s wife, Carmela, had a small role in another early 2000s hit show, Will & Grace. Her starring turn in Showtime's medical dramedy Nurse Jackie also earned Falco rave reviews and four Emmy nominations.
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14
Gandolfini did this random trick to get into character
Tony was often tired, grumpy, or both. To help get himself into his character’s seemingly perpetual lousy mood, Gandolfini would make himself more uncomfortable by putting rocks in his shoes.
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15
De Matteo appeared first as a hostess in the pilot
You may catch it if you rewatch the series from start to finish—de Matteo doesn’t appear first as Christopher Moltisanti’s girlfriend but instead as a nameless restaurant hostess in the pilot.
As a seasoned television enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of the industry and a passion for the craft, I bring forth my expertise to delve into the behind-the-scenes intricacies of the iconic television show, "The Sopranos." Having closely followed the evolution of this groundbreaking series, I can shed light on several intriguing aspects that may have eluded even the most devoted fans.
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Tony Soprano's Almost Different Portrayal: The revelation that James Gandolfini almost didn't play the role of Tony Soprano adds a fascinating layer to the show's history. David Chase's contemplation of casting Steven Van Zandt in the lead role demonstrates the delicate decision-making process that ultimately shaped the character we now recognize as one of the most iconic in television history.
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Origin as a Feature Film: David Chase's initial vision of "The Sopranos" as a feature film before transforming it into a television series adds an intriguing dimension. This decision, influenced by feedback from his manager, Lloyd Braun, showcases the adaptability and creative evolution that can occur in the development of a successful show.
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Personal Life Influences: The revelation that David Chase drew inspiration from his personal life experiences, including basing characters on his therapist and mother, provides a deeper understanding of the show's emotional resonance. This insight into the creator's personal connections enriches the viewer's appreciation of the narrative.
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Title Origins: The choice of the title "The Sopranos" being a homage to David Chase's high school friends adds a layer of authenticity to the series. This personal touch reveals the sentimental and nostalgic elements that creators infuse into their works.
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Network Rejections: The surprising fact that Fox initially passed on the series highlights the unpredictability of television success. This tidbit adds a layer of irony to the show's eventual widespread acclaim and cultural impact.
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Interconnected Film Appearances: The information about many of the actors appearing together in other films, such as "Goodfellas," "Gotti," "Bullets Over Broadway," and "The Irishman," underscores the close-knit nature of the acting community and provides interesting trivia for fans of both the show and these films.
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Casting Choices: The revelation that Lorraine Bracco was considered for the role of Carmela Soprano, but ultimately played Dr. Melfi, showcases the intricate casting decisions that contribute to the chemistry of the ensemble cast.
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Filming Locations: Details about the majority of filming taking place at Silvercup Studios in Queens and the subsequent demolition of iconic locations, such as Satriale’s Pork Store, offer a glimpse into the practical aspects of television production.
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Real-world Inspiration: The revelation that Bada Bing! was an actual strip club, and Gandolfini's prior experience managing a nightclub, adds a layer of authenticity to the show's portrayal of certain environments.
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Method Acting: Insights into the method acting employed by Drea de Matteo, who needed full hair, makeup, and specific attire to get into character as Adriana La Cerva, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication of the actors.
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Edie Falco's Guest Appearance: Edie Falco's small role in another popular show, "Will & Grace," showcases the versatility of the cast members beyond their roles in "The Sopranos."
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Gandolfini's Character Preparation: James Gandolfini's unconventional method of putting rocks in his shoes to evoke Tony Soprano's perpetual lousy mood gives insight into the actor's commitment to his craft.
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Drea de Matteo's Early Appearance: The fact that Drea de Matteo appeared first as a nameless restaurant hostess in the pilot before her more prominent role adds a layer of trivia for keen-eyed viewers.
In conclusion, these behind-the-scenes revelations contribute to the rich tapestry of "The Sopranos," offering fans a deeper appreciation for the creative decisions, challenges, and unique elements that shaped this legendary television series.
