Synopsis: The critically acclaimed, Emmy® and Peabody-winning HBO series The Sopranos returns for its fifth season on Sunday, March 7th, 2004 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET), followed by other episodes on subsequent Sundays at the same time. The 13 episodes of the new season will focus on mob boss Tony Soprano's separation from his wife Carmela, as well as the new challenges he faces at home and work, from within his immediate family, other mob families, and law enforcement.

Creator David Chase's drama series stars three-time Emmy® winners James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as Tony's wife Carmela, plus Lorraine Bracco as therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Michael Imperioli as Tony's nephew Christopher Moltisanti, and Dominic Chianese as Uncle Junior. Also returning to the series are regulars Drea de Matteo as Adriana, Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano, Jr., Jamie-Lynn DiScala as Meadow Soprano, Tony Sirico as Paulie Walnuts, and Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante.

Aida Turturro, who plays Tony's sister Janice, will return to the show, as will series regulars Katherine Narducci as Charmaine Bucco, Steven R. Schirripa as Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri, John Ventimiglia as Artie Bucco, and Vincent Curatola as Johnny Sack.

Joining the cast of The Sopranos as a regular this season is Steve Buscemi ("Ghost World"), playing Tony Soprano's cousin Tony Blundetto. Buscemi will also return as one of the directors of the series; he previously directed the "Pine Barrens" episode. Guest stars for the fifth season include Polly Bergen (Emmy® nominee for "War and Remembrance"), Tim Daly ("Wings"), Patty D'Arbanville ("Personal Velocity"), Robert Loggia (Oscar® nominee for "Jagged Edge"), Joe Santos (Emmy® nominee for "The Rockford Files"), David Strathairn ("Blue Car"), Frankie Valli (Four Seasons lead singer) and Frank Vincent ("Cop Land").

Other veteran directors of The Sopranos returning for new shows are Allen Coulter, John Patterson (Directors Guild of America winner), Alan Taylor and Tim Van Patten. Directing episodes for the first time will be Peter Bogdanovich (Oscar® nominee for "The Last Picture Show"), who is also a veteran cast member of the series, Mike Figgis (Oscar® nominee for "Leaving Las Vegas") and Rodrigo Garcia (HBO's "Six Feet Under").

David Chase, Mitchell Burgess & Robin Green, Terence Winter and Michael Imperioli are among the returning writers for the fifth season, with Matthew Weiner joining the staff.

Last September, The Sopranos led all HBO programs with four Emmys® - the most of any drama series. In addition to James Gandolfini (Lead Actor in a Drama Series) and Edie Falco (Lead Actress in a Drama Series), the show won in the categories of Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Joe Pantoliano) and Writing for a Drama Series (David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess for "Whitecaps").

The show has also won five Golden Globe® Awards, including the award in the Best Television Series - Drama category in 2000. In addition, the first two seasons of the show have been added to the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. HBO and series creator David Chase have already reached an agreement for a sixth season, with that season's ten episodes to begin production in early 2005.

The Cast:

Production Credits:
The Sopranos is a production of HBO Original Programming, Brad Grey Television and Chase Films; executive producers, David Chase, Robin Green, Mitchell Burgess, Brad Grey, Ilene S. Landress, Terence Winter; co-executive producer, Henry J. Bronchtein; supervising producer, Matthew Weiner; producer, Martin Bruestle.

The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide

Season Two Episode Guide

Season Three Episode Guide

Season Four Episode Guide

Season Five Episode Guide