Consideredone of HBO’s best shows,The Sopranos' mix of organized crime machinations, Shakespearean family drama, and philosophical investigations into the soul cement it as one of the gold standards of the medium. The show’s cast is a collection of stage actors and real-life criminals, which gave the show its authenticity. The actors' chemistry and rich character arcs depended on two central performances: James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano. These two characters are in almost every scene throughout six seasons, and the ups and downs of their relationship push the show’s narrative arc forward.
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Many citeThe Sopranosas the show that launched Peak TV. Premiering in 1999, it was very much a product of its time. Could it be remade today and still capture the same cultural significance? And would the actors' be able to recreate Gandolfini, Falco, and co.’s onscreen magic?
Chiwetel Ejiofor As Tony Soprano
To play a character who looms as large as King Lear and Hamlet,The Sopranosrequires someone who can embody the dramatic nuances of a Shakesperean character within a mobster setting. Just like James Gandolfini before him, Chiwetel Ejiofor has had a long career on stage. He is suited to take on the challenge of playing Tony Soprano and find outwhat makes Tony tick. Ejiofor is no stranger to groundbreaking drama, having starred in the Best Picture winner,12 Years a Slave.
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Ejiofor is at the right place in his career to take on a central character of this magnitude, with many outstanding performances under his belt but a name and face still fresh to mainstream audiences. This would allow him to become Tony Soprano without past performances overshadowing his portrayal.
Regina King As Carmela Soprano
Regina King has proved she is more than capable of portraying Carmela Soprano after her riveting turn as a mother on a mission inIf Beale Street Could Talkand as a superhero inWatchmen, whereKing’s Angela Abar saves the world. In addition, King has proven she can hold her own alongside any actor, a necessary component for the tumultuous scenes Tony and Carmela share during the highs and lows of their relationship.
King brings the right combination of prestige and reliability to fill out the character arc of a conflicted mob wife.
LaKeith Stanfield As Christopher Moltisanti
LaKeith Stanfield has shown viewers his ability to play puzzling characters in shows likeAtlanta. However, he has also demonstrated he can convincingly play ruthless in hisUncut Gemsperformance. He will need both qualities to represent Tony’s nephew and right-hand man Christopher Moltisanti, who is both hot-headed and prone to violence.
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Moltisanti goes through one of the show’s most brutal arcs, struggling with fidelity, addiction, and anger. To portray him, an actor would have to be unafraid to get into the head of a cold-blooded killer.
Forest Whitaker As Junior Soprano
Junior Soprano is greedy, selfish, and conniving; he is a king in his own mind. In his Oscar-winning role inThe Last King of Scotland, Forest Whitaker also portrayed a powerful character with an inflated ego. He could be bone-chillingly evil in one scene and compassionate and fatherly in the next.
Junior is a man of two halves. On the one hand, he wants to be the head of the family to unify the various New Jersey mob factions. On the other, he wants uncontested power and to rule with an iron fist. It is easy to imagine Whitaker as the complicated and egomaniac placeholder head of the DiMeo crime family.
Janelle Monae As Adriana La Cerva
In many ways, Adriana La Cerva was the heart ofThe Sopranos. Unfortunately, when Silvio murdered her in season 6, the series lost its moral compass. As a result, the next actor who plays her must build up empathy for her character as one of the few noble characters among a den of thieves.
InMoonlight, Janelle Monae showed audiences she can play a character who can keep her morality, even as a drug dealer’s wife. Monae has played a variety of characters in her short career on-screen and has shown great range. There’s even talk of herwanting to play the X-Man character, Storm.
Wesley Snipes As Paulie Gualtieri
To play mobster Paulie Gualtieri, one has to be tough as nails. Wesley Snipes played tough guys nobody wants to mess with inBladeandNew Jack City. He has a piercing glare and a cutting sense of humor, two trademark qualities of Paulie. This is best on display in thelegendary episode, “Pine Barrens.”
Snipes brings a level of authenticity to any role he plays, especially as enforcers. Playing Paulie would be a great way to reignite Snipes' career after a peak in the ’90s.
Brian Tyree Henry As Silvio Dante
Brian Tyree Henry might be a little young to play Silvio Dante, but he has experience portraying characters with an old soul. For example, Paper Boi inAtlantais usually the straight man who remains calm when the world around him stops making sense. Likewise, Silvio has the most relaxed demeanor within Tony’s crew and is typically the voice of reason among his murderous brethren.
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Silvio isn’t as boisterous as some of his comrades, but he wears his seriousness on his face, a trait Henry has perfected through two seasons inAtlanta, whereHenry says everything through Paper Boi’s eyes.
Ving Rhames As Vito Spatafore
Vito Spatafore is one of the fewSopranos' mobsters viewers get to see in a genuine romance. For him, it’s with another man in his emotionally riveting season 6 character arc. Rhames is not afraid to play emotionally vulnerable characters as he did inHoliday Heartor as the menacing murderer, Nathan Jones, inCon Air.
The Sopranoswasn’t afraid to focus on Vito’s character as a murderer living a double life. It’s the job of the actor portraying him to balance the two contrasting sides of his character, something Rhames could do with aplomb.
Whoopi Goldberg As Livia Soprano
In many ways, Livia Soprano is Tony’s greatest nemesis. She stays one step ahead of her son throughout the entire series, even in death. Whoopi Goldberg has delivered intense and powerful performances over the last 30 years, but it has been a while since a director has given her a role that matches her abilities. Portraying Livia would put Goldberg back in the spotlight and show audiences all that she can do as a performer.
Livia is a complicated woman and more than just Tony’s primary foe; she requires a portrayal filled with intelligence and a sharp tongue. Goldberg is more than up to the task.
Viola Davis As Dr. Jennifer Melfi
The therapy scenes between Tony and Dr. Jennifer Melfi make up the philosophical backbone of the series. Tony and Melfi’s sessions reveal the debate around the gangster’s morality. As an actor, Viola Davis has tackled many emotionally-draining performances and played opposite a morally corrupt husband inFences.
Melfi must hold her ground against Tony’s mind games as patient and puppet master. Anyone who has seen Davis' performance inSuicide Squadknows she can handle her own.
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