Sopranos 2: Everything We Know About The Secret Sequel
James Gandolfini and Edie Falco secretly filmed a follow-up to The Sopranos, so why was it made and what's it about? We have the details.
James Gandolfini and Edie Falco secretly filmed a follow-up to The Sopranos, so why was it made and what’s it about? Both performers reportedly reprised their roles for a 2010 short film but knew that it would never air on HBO. Here’s what we know about the mysterious production, and why The Sopranos-themed video will probably never be available to watch.
The Sopranos originally aired on HBO from 1999 to 2007. Widely regarded as one of the best TV shows ever made, the mafia-themed series kicked off the wave of “prestige television” and stunned viewers with its cryptic final episode. The Sopranos focuses heavily on the existential crisis of its main antihero Tony (Gandolfini) and his wife Carmela (Falco), but also explores the humanity of numerous characters that audiences came to love during the initial six-season run.
Despite its popularity, The Sopranos ended after season 6. Gandolfini tragically passed away in 2013 at age 51, so a series continuation of The Sopranos will probably never happen. However, creator David Chase wrote and produced a 2021 prequel, The Many Saints of Newark, that co-stars Gandolfini’s son Michael as a younger version of Tony Soprano. Since The Sopranos’ final episode continues to spark debates about its true meaning, fans may be curious why Gandolfini and Falco decided to reprise their roles for a short film three years later.
Why James Gandolfini Made A Sopranos Sequel
Details for The Sopranos follow-up were revealed in April 2021 on the podcast, “Shattered: Hope, Heartbreak and the New York Knicks.” In 2010, the New York Knicks hired both Gandolfini and Falco for a Sopranos-themed production, hoping to lure free agent LeBron James. The video ultimately failed its purpose, as James officially joined the Miami Heat. According to Falco, she was surprised that Gandolfini agreed to the project:
“We got those requests all the time back then and [James] Gandolfini, he did nothing… And somehow, he agreed to this thing, which I was shocked by. I thought it was a prank when someone said he’s going to do it.”
The Sopranos Sequel Story Details
The Sopranos follow-up was filmed in Gandolfini’s New York City apartment. Few details have been revealed about the 10-minute video, but it involves Tony and Carmela being part of the Witness Protection Program. The Sopranos video wasn’t intended to be broadcast, and so the premise shouldn’t be viewed as a series continuation, but rather an attempt to entertain and impress James. Falco expressed her displeasure with the final outcome on the aforementioned podcast:
“I couldn’t believe that it didn’t work… Not so much because of The Sopranos. I just thought, it’s New York. How does anyone say no to New York, for God’s sake? But he did!”
Why You Can’t Watch The Sopranos Sequel
In “Shattered: Hope, Heartbreak and the New York Knicks,” host Chuck D reveals that The Sopranos follow-up likely won’t ever be seen. The podcast is produced by The Atlantic, a publication that tried to gain access to the footage but failed. Most likely, HBO wants fans to keep discussing the series finale, and would prefer not to have the non-canon short film available to view online.
