Sopranos stars were told when they’d be ‘whacked’ by hit show’s creator
STARS of mafia series The Sopranos have revealed how journalists tried to infiltrate a Little Italy restaurant in a bid to uncover the show’s secrets.
HBO’s gangster drama ran for six series from 1999 to 2007 and is widely considered as one of the greatest TV shows ever.
During its wildly successful run, fans were desperate to get any behind-the-scenes information on upcoming story lines – especially on any characters unfortunate enough to be “whacked”. There were even suspicions of a “rat” on set who was giving away secrets.
Michael Imperioli – an Emmy winner for his portal of mafia “capo” Christopher Moltisanti - and his Sopranos co-star Steve Schirripa have used their popular podcast to relive the show, 13 years since it went off air.
Schirripa played Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri. Neither actor made it to The Sopranos’ final episode, though they were involved deep into the sixth and final season.
Imperioli was famously killed by mafia boss Tony Soprano – played by the late James
Gandolfini – while Schirripa memorably got gunned down in a model train store.
Imperioli revealed he knew of his character’s fate “at least a year” before filming.
He said: “I thought it was a great way to end Christopher’s story, to die at the hands of Tony. I thought it was important for the story and there was no downside for me.”
Schirripa found out a month before that Bobby was to be killed, with Sopranos creator David Chase visiting him at home to deliver the news personally.
He said: “I opened the door and there was David. It was kind of like a real hit.
“And we sat, we talked and I thanked him for changing my life.”