The Many Saints of Newark cast is composed of younger versions of characters from The Sopranos, and other members of the DiMeo crime family from the time Tony Soprano was just a teen. Set in the 1960s and '70s, The Many Saints of Newark takes place around 30 years before Tony rose to become the family's boss in the original series. Created by David Chase, The Sopranos premiered on HBO in 1999 and came to an end in 2007 after six seasons, and is still widely regarded as one of the greatest antihero crime dramas of all time. Written by Chase and directed by Alan Taylor, The Many Saints of Newark is the first prequel movie inspired by The Sopranos.
The Many Saints of Newark cast is led by a young Tony Soprano and his uncle and mentor, Dickie Moltisanti. With the 1967 Newark riots and the social tensions of the time as its backdrop, The Many Saints of Newark deeply explores Tony's backstory. Meanwhile, Dickie struggles to manage his professional and personal responsibilities, with his actions being foundational to Tony's eventual rise in the DiMeo crime family. The Many Saints of Newark reunites viewers with various characters from The Sopranos and introduces many others, and here’s who plays who in this prequel movie.
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Michael Gandolfini As Tony Soprano
The son of the late James Gandolfini - who played Tony in the original series - Michael Gandolfini leads The Many Saints of Newark cast as the young version of Tony Soprano. The Many Saints of Newark follows a teenage Tony as he gets more and more involved with the family business. The movie also unravels young Tony's family life, parts of which will be familiar to those who remember Tony and Dr. Melfi's talks in The Sopranos. Michael Gandolfini made his acting debut in Ocean’s 8, and he went on to play Joey Dwyer in The Deuce and Beau's son in Beau Is Afraid.
Alessandro Nivola As Dickie Moltisanti
The second protagonist in The Many Saints of Newark cast, Alessandro Nivola plays Richard “Dickie” Moltisanti, Christopher Moltisanti’s father. Dickie didn’t appear in The Sopranos, and The Many Saints of Newark covers why. Dickie is a highly promising DiMeo family soldier in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history, a key player in Tony’s rise to power. Alessandro Nivola also played Billy Brennan in Jurassic Park III, Arthur Capel in Coco Before Chanel, Roland in Ginger & Rosa, Detective Conley in Boston Strangler, and Detective Hiltz in Amsterdam.
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Leslie Odom Jr. As Harold McBayer
Leslie Odom Jr. is Harold McBayer, a numbers runner for Dickie Moltisanti. Harold eventually ventured off to start his own criminal operation and is now going after Moltisanti. Leslie Odom Jr’s most notable roles are Aaron Burr in Hamilton, Dr. Arbuthnot in Murder on the Orient Express, Agent Malik Christo in Vanished, Peter Collier in Person of Interest, Draemond in Abbott Elementary, and the voice of Owen Tillerman in the animated series Central Park.
John Bernthal As Johnny Soprano
John Bernthal plays Giovanni “Johnny Boy” Soprano (who in The Sopranos was played by Joseph Siravo). Tony’s father and captain of the Soprano crew, Johnny was a master stonemason who helped build a church in Newark, and is well-respected among the dangerous men in The Many Saints of Newark cast. Along with his older brother, Junior, Johnny became a capo in the DiMeo crime family in the '60s. John Bernthal is best known for playing Shane Walsh in The Walking Dead, Frank Castle/Punisher in Marvel’s Daredevil and The Punisher, and Julian Kaye in American Gigolo.
Related: Every Way Many Saints Of Newark Changes How You See The Sopranos
Corey Stoll As Junior Soprano
Corey Stoll plays Corrado John “Junior” Soprano Jr., (played in the main series by Dominic Chianese), Johnny’s older brother and Tony’s uncle. Along with Johnny, he dropped out of high school and turned to a life of organized crime, joining the DiMeo crime family and eventually rising in the ranks. Corey Stoll played Ernest Hemingway in Midnight in Paris, Darren Cross/Yellowjacket in Ant-Man, Det. Tomas “TJ” Jaruszalski in Law & Order: LA, Rep. Peter Russo in House of Cards, Michael Prince in Billions, and MODOK in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Ray Liotta As Aldo “Hollywood Dick” Moltisanti And Salvatore “Sally” Moltisanti
The late Ray Liotta plays two characters in The Many Saints of Newark cast: twin brothers Aldo “Hollywood Dick” Moltisanti and Salvatore “Sally” Moltisanti. “Hollywood Dick” is Dickie’s father, Christopher’s grandfather, and the boss of the Moltisanti crew, who is in prison for murder. Ray Liotta is best known for playing Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams, Henry Hill in Goodfellas, Lieutenant Henry Oak in Narc, Jay Marotta in Marriage Story, Lt. Matt Wozniak in Shades of Blue, and Syd White in Cocaine Bear.
Related: The Many Saints of Newark: 9 Reasons It’s Better Than The Sopranos
John Magaro As Silvio Dante
John Magaro plays Silvio Dante (played by Steven Van Zandt in The Sopranos), a childhood friend of Tony who went on to become his consigliere and right-hand man. The Many Saints of Newark also reveals when Silvio started sporting his trademark slick hairdo. John Magaro’s most notable roles are Charlie Geller in The Big Short, Arthur in Past Lives, and Parker in The Mistress.
Billy Magnussen As Paulie Walnuts
Billy Magnussen is Paulie Walnuts (played by Tony Sirico in the main series). At the age of 17, Silvio became an enforcer/bodyguard for Johnny Soprano, and years later became caporegime in the DiMeo crime family. Billy Magnussen played Bryson in Velvet Buzzsaw, Prince Anders in Aladdin, Byron Gogol in Made for Love, Robert in Family Squares, and Logan Ash in No Time to Die.
Vera Farmiga As Livia Soprano
Delivering arguably the most riveting performance in the entire Many Saints of Newark cast, Vera Farmiga plays Livia Soprano (played by Nancy Marchand in the series), Tony’s mother. Livia grew up poor, and her marriage to Johnny Soprano was her ticket out of her parent’s house, though that also meant having an unfulfilling life as a housewife, and enjoying making the people around her miserable. Vera Farmiga is best known for playing Dr. Madolyn Madden in The Departed, Kate Coleman in Orphan, Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring franchise, Eleanor Bishop in Marvel’s Hawkeye, and Dr. Anna Pou in Five Days at Memorial.
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Many Saints Of Newark’s Supporting Cast & Characters
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti: Dickie's son and Tony's nephew and former protégé, Christopher narrates The Many Saints of Newark from beyond the grave, while also appearing briefly in the movie as a baby. Apart from playing Christopher in The Sopranos, Michael Imperioli also appears in The White Lotus, This Fool, and Blue Bloods.
Samson Moeakiola as puss* Bonpensiero: One of the members of The Many Saints of Newark cast who was originally introduced in The Sopranos, puss* Bonpensiero is an associate of Johnny Soprano. Samson Moeakiola played Lono in one episode of Hawaii Five-0, and also appears in the short films Oh, Baby! and The Last Walk.
Alexandra Intrator as Janice Soprano: Tony’s sister, Janice, was also in The Sopranos before being part of The Many Saints of Newark cast. Alexandra Intrator’s acting credits include Fields Afire, Another Assembly, and Dear Leo.
Robert Vincent Montano as Artie Bucco: Tony’s childhood friend Artie, who became the proprietor of Vesuvio's in The Sopranos, is also in the prequel as a teenager. The Many Saints of Newark is Montano’s first movie role.
Joey Diaz as Buddah: A capo in the DiMeo crime family, Buddah is puss* Bonpensiero's father. Joey Diaz appeared in Taxi, The Longest Yard, and My Name Is Earl, but is most well-known as a stand-up comic and podcaster. Diaz also notably played puss* in a MadTV parody of The Sopranos.
Gabriella Piazza as Joanne Moltisanti: Dickie’s wife and Christopher’s mother, Joanne Moltisanti, is a new character in the Sopranos universe introduced through The Many Saints of Newark cast. Gabriella Piazza played Jasmine in Looking Through the Windows and Elise Gasecki in New Amsterdam.
Chase Vacnin as Giacomo “Jackie” Aprile: Before they became rivals in The Sopranos, Jackie was a close friend of Tony when they were both just coming up in the DiMeo family. Chase Vacnin played Bench Logan in Drama Club.
Lauren DiMario as Carmela De Angelis: Tony’s high-school sweetheart and future wife in The Sopranos, Carmela, is also in The Many Saints of Newark cast as a supporting character. Lauren DiMario played Lauren in A Daughter’s Plan to Kill.
Michela De Rossi as Giuseppina Moltisanti: Giuseppina is the wife of Aldo "Hollywood Dick" Moltisanti. Michela De Rossi played Carmen in the Italian TV series The Rats, and also appears in Django and Io e Spotty.
David Chase as Ercole DiMeo: Also known as "old man" DiMeo, Ercole is the founder and boss of the DiMeo crime family. David Chase created The Sopranos, wrote The Many Saints of Newark, and has produced various movies and series throughout the years.
