4 Best Shows to Watch After Finishing The Sopranos

by

Everyone agrees that The Sopranos is a truly exceptional TV show, but it’s tough to find something else to watch once you’ve finished it. Fortunately, there are plenty of other great shows out there, and a few of them would be a good fit for fans of The Sopranos. While nothing can truly compare, there are at least four options that viewers are likely to love.

Many shows have attempted to capture the magic of The Sopranos. Over the last quarter-century, television has consistently featured stories about gangsters, with series like Tulsa King, Narcos, and Sons of Anarchy each offering a unique take on organized crime. Several protagonists have also tried to match Tony Soprano’s depth and complexity. However, among all these shows, only four truly stand out as worthy successors to The Sopranos.

Peaky Blinders

Stream On: Netflix

Though set 80 years earlier than The Sopranos, Peaky Blinders explores similar themes. The show centers on the Shelby family, a British gang led by Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy), and his climb to power during the 1920s and 30s. This background leads Tommy into situations mirroring those of Tony Soprano, including gang violence and struggles with his mental health.

Tommy Shelby and Tony Soprano share striking similarities. Both men struggle with significant mental health challenges, made worse by the pressures and risks of their criminal lifestyles. They’re constantly dealing with problems caused by their unreliable and often troublesome families and associates. As their respective series progress, both characters decline, and despite their undeniable charm, they become increasingly terrible people corrupted by power.

While Peaky Blinders and The Sopranos are different shows, that’s actually what makes Peaky Blinders a good choice to watch next. It’s a British period drama with a unique setting, which is a refreshing change from the New Jersey backdrop of The Sopranos. The way Tommy Shelby builds his power is captivating, and the show often feels like a clever heist story as his plans come together. Plus, Peaky Blinders features some really exciting action sequences.

The Wire

Stream On: HBO Max

As a huge fan of shows like The Sopranos, I was immediately drawn to HBO’s The Wire. While it’s definitely its own thing, it hits that same spot for me – that fascination with the criminal underworld. The Wire is amazing because it doesn’t just focus on the gangsters; it really dives into the whole city of Baltimore in the early 2000s – the police, the politicians, even the kids in school and the people working the docks. Each season looks at things from a different perspective, but at its heart, it’s a story about the police trying to dismantle the drug operation run by a guy named Avon Barksdale.

While The Wire focuses more on the police investigation of crime than The Sopranos, the two shows still share a lot of similarities. The Barksdale organization in The Wire and the DiMeo family in The Sopranos are remarkably alike: both operate with strict hierarchies, constantly clash with law enforcement, and corrupt everyone involved without consequence.

As a huge fan of The Sopranos, what I loved most about watching The Wire was how it captured that same raw, realistic feel. The Sopranos nailed what modern organized crime really looks like, and The Wire did the same for the broader world of crime and corruption. Both shows were brutal and uncomfortable to watch, and I never felt safe assuming I knew what was going to happen next – every character felt so complex and flawed, which made it even more gripping.

Breaking Bad

Stream On: Netflix

Since The Sopranos finished airing, Breaking Bad is the only crime show that’s really been considered its successor. The series centers on Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who transforms into a methamphetamine producer, and Jesse Pinkman, his partner in crime. Though Walt isn’t a typical gangster, he shares many traits with Tony Soprano, including a strong sense of self-importance and a tendency to control others.

I think what really sets Breaking Bad apart – and makes it a worthy successor to The Sopranos – is the story itself. Both shows really dig into how their main characters become corrupted by crime. What hooked me was the way they mixed intense family drama with constant suspense and unpredictable twists. You never knew what was going to happen! And each season just built and built, leading to these huge, unforgettable finales. It was amazing.

Many consider Breaking Bad to be a flawless crime drama, and it’s often compared to The Sopranos for good reason. Both shows share a lot of similarities in how their stories unfold. You’ll likely find yourself both repulsed by and sympathetic to the main characters, Walt and Tony, constantly on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next, and completely engrossed in watching their criminal worlds fall apart.

Boardwalk Empire

Stream On: HBO Max

If you enjoyed The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire is a fantastic choice. It shares many of the same qualities, but offers even more depth. Interestingly, both shows were created by Terence Winter, a writer on The Sopranos, and you’ll recognize his distinctive style in both. Plus, Steve Buscemi, known for his role as Tony Blundetto in The Sopranos, also appears in Boardwalk Empire.

Like The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire was a high-quality HBO production. The show beautifully recreated Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, with visuals that actually surpassed those of The Sopranos. Add to that a fantastic cast of well-known actors playing real-life gangsters, and you have a truly excellent gangster series.

Shows To Watch After The Sopranos
Title Rotten Tomatoes Audience % Rotten Tomatoes Critic %
The Sopranos 96% 92%
Peaky Blinders 94% 93%
The Wire 96% 95%
Breaking Bad 97% 96%
Boardwalk Empire 95% 92%

Steve Buscemi’s character, Nucky Thompson, shares a lot in common with Tony Soprano. Both men are powerful figures in their communities – Nucky is just more open about it – and both become increasingly involved in and tainted by criminal activity. They’re both incredibly compelling to watch, and if you enjoyed The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire is an excellent choice.

Read More

2025-11-16 23:00