Sopranos Stars Open Up About Show's Lasting Impact and Lost Reboot
For six groundbreaking seasons, Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa inhabited the gritty world of television's most iconic crime family in The Sopranos. Decades after the show's conclusion, the actors delve into its profound legacy, the irreplaceable presence of James Gandolfini, and the intriguing question of what Tony Soprano's mobsters might think of contemporary politics like the Trump era.
The Reboot That Never Was
It is a curious thought that, under different circumstances, The Sopranos might have returned for a seventh season. In an alternate reality, David Chase's masterful mob drama and James Gandolfini's formidable portrayal of Tony Soprano could have graced screens once more. "There was talk of us coming back," reveals Michael Imperioli, who earned an Emmy for his role as Tony's troubled nephew, Christopher Moltisanti. Around 2012, five years after the series wrapped, discussions about a reboot began circulating.
"There was even talk at one point of us doing a prequel, like with us in it – which given our age didn’t really make any sense," Imperioli recalls from a dim hotel alcove. "I remember Jim was like, 'What are we gonna do? Wear wigs and girdles like Star Trek?'" He chuckles softly, lost in the memory. "Yeah, I remember Jim saying that." Any hope for a reunion was permanently extinguished when Gandolfini tragically passed away from a heart attack at age 51 the following year.
"I think he would have gone for it for the right price and the right script, but then he passed away – and without Jim it didn’t make sense," adds Steve Schirripa during a separate call, joining from home with a backdrop of framed photos featuring him as Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri and alongside legends like Clint Eastwood and Frank Sinatra.
A Singular Television Phenomenon
Thus, aside from the 2021 spin-off film The Many Saints of Newark, which lacked the original cast, The Sopranos remains a timeless masterpiece. Its six seminal seasons of complex and intelligent television have fueled endless discourse. This is especially true for Talking Sopranos, the rewatch podcast hosted by Imperioli and Schirripa during the pandemic, when viewership surged as longtime fans revisited the series and newcomers discovered its brilliance.
"People say it’s their comfort food, which is funny because it’s about killers and drug addicts," notes Imperioli. "But there are people who have been with us since it first came on air, and they have memories of watching it on Sundays with family and friends. It occupies a special place." This month, Schirripa and Imperioli are bringing their podcast to the UK for the first time, offering fans a unique behind-the-scenes experience.
Behind the Scenes and Fan Devotion
On air, the duo presents a dynamic contrast: Schirripa brings humour, while Imperioli maintains a more serious demeanour. Schirripa admits that finding their rhythm took time. "People thought we didn’t like each other," he says. "The first five episodes were a little rough, but then I think we did OK. You know, it was a tall order." Indeed, with a passionate fanbase, any misstep would not go unnoticed.
The show's legacy is remarkable, given that social media was not prevalent during its original run. Fans have since created accounts celebrating its fashion and dialogue, with "Christopher in a Neckbrace" becoming a Halloween staple. Imperioli shares an anecdote about a fan in Central Park showing off a calf tattoo of Christopher, reflecting on his own fandom for actors like Al Pacino and Meryl Streep. "I understand that intense fandom," he says.
The Sopranos' popularity necessitated extreme secrecy on set. For instance, the fate of Adriana in season five was filmed in two versions to prevent leaks. By the series' end, actors received only their own scripts due to a suspected informant. "There was a leak on set because somebody was selling information. We had some suspects…" Schirripa reveals, though the culprit was never caught.
Protecting Gandolfini's Memory
While Talking Sopranos shares trivia, the actors avoid airing dirty laundry. "I never say anything bad about anybody," Imperioli states. "I mean, I could, but I won’t. I’m sure people say bad things about me – I wouldn’t be surprised – but we tried to keep it above the belt. No low blows. I find it not classy." They also guard James Gandolfini's legacy, acknowledging his struggles with depression and addiction during the final shooting months.
"Look, Jim was a brilliant actor and a wonderful guy, but not without problems," Schirripa explains. "You’re working 16-hour days, you’re making a lot of money, and you have no life. And the fame snuck up on him, and he didn’t expect it. He was very nice to people, to fans, but he wasn’t one of those guys who could hide away." Despite this, neither actor believes Gandolfini's personal darkness influenced Tony Soprano's bleak storylines, attributing it instead to the narrative's exploration of karmic consequences.
Enduring Themes and Future Reflections
The Sopranos transcended its mobster premise to critique capitalism, consumerism, and human frailty. Imperioli speculates on how the show might address modern issues like immigration in America today. "The show is about the American dream, especially through the eyes of immigrants," he says. "The fact is that these characters are all immigrants, but I think a lot of them would probably be Trump supporters, oddly enough. So how do they reconcile those things?"
In 2024, the cast reunited for the show's 25th anniversary, mourning absent friends like Gandolfini and Tony Sirico. "We’re all getting older," Schirripa remarks. "Everything changes, but hopefully there will be" a 30th celebration. Imperioli likens their time on set to hanging out with friends, with Schirripa adding, "We were younger. Going out every night and having a great time – a real good time, maybe a little too good. But we just enjoyed every moment."
