The highly anticipated Sopranos prequel, The Many Saints Of Newark, is finally premiering in theaters and is exclusively available on HBO Max. Our correspondent Rachel Smith talked to the cast about bringing the original story to life.
Primarily set between the end of the 90s and 2007, The Sopranos series follows New Jersey based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano. He tries to find balance in his life as boss of the Sopranos' family and engages in numerous therapy sessions throughout the series due to panic attacks he suffers from.
The Sopranos has been acknowledged as one of the greatest series' of all time. It has been nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award For Outstanding Drama every year it was eligible and it's the first cable TV show that has earned the nomination. The series finally won the award in 2004 and 2007.
Now, a new prequel delves into the origins of young Tony Soprano as he grows up in one of the most turbulent eras in Newark, NJ. Viewers will be able to witness how Tony finds his true identity as a new rival gangs start to rise, particularly the powerful DiMeo crime family.
James Gandolfini used to play Tony Soprano in the legendary series and now, his son Michael, is going to follow his steps playing the younger version of his character. Correspondent Rachel Smith asked him what makes Tony one of the most iconic characters on television:
"One of the things I find really interesting about Tony and what was so fun to play, is how bipolar his emotions are and how he really ping pongs in this kind of beautiful and complicated way."
Actor Alessandro Nivola will also play a very important character on the show: Dickie Moltisanti, the one who made Tony Soprano who he is. Smith asked Nivola if it's true that he had never seen the original series prior to being cast:
"When the show started airing I was an out of work actor living in a tiny little studio apartment. I couldn't afford cable TV. I was aware of the show being considered the greatest show in television ever."
Subsequently, Smith asked Hamilton's Leslie Odom Jr. if there's any kind of pressure for having an important fan base ready to experience his new role.
"You just want them to show up no matter what, right? In Hamilton I was there for the creation of that buzz, this obviously, we weren't, but to step in and be a part of expanding on a world is a wonderful gift."
The highly anticipated prequel The Many Saints Of Newark is finally here, out in theaters and exclusively available on HBO Max.
