10 character-driven dramas that owe everything to The Sopranos

The Sopranos is a television show that has created a milestone in its genre. This deeply analyzed psychological show gained thousands of fans by presenting a close-up picture of Tony Soprano and his family. The Sopranos created a new perspective on storytelling by combining the tenderness, vulnerability, struggle, and poverty of multiple characters in the world of crime. So, if you loved watching the show, have a look at the 10 similar TV shows.

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10 character-driven dramas similar to The Sopranos

Mad Men

Where to watch: Netflix

Mad Men is a subtle and profound discussion of the complexities of American society, gender inequality, racism, consumer culture, and personal identity. While Don Draper’s character is a symbol of creativity and leadership, his past, relationships, and identity crisis transform him into an ambiguous and troubled man.

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Breaking Bad

Where to watch: Netflix

This American crime drama television series revolves around Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher who, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, begins making and selling methamphetamine to provide for his family after his death. This is how Walter White, who begins as a harmless and deprived man, eventually becomes the cold-blooded, control-loving, criminal icon Heisenberg. The series deals with deep themes such as morality, power, identity, and family love.

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The Wire

Where to watch: Prime Video

Each season of The Wire examines a different social institution or sector, such as the drug system, the police department, dock workers, the education system, and the media, in depth. This drama is set in a city where law enforcement, drug dealers, politics, and education are all entangled in an unregulated, complex, and often unwelcome system.

The Wire is a poignant portrait of the American society. This crime series revealed the realities of struggle, neglect, and class inequality, just like The Sopranos.

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Better Call Saul

Where to watch: Netflix

Better Call Saul is a prequel to the Breaking Bad series. This American Crime drama follows the story of a lawyer who becomes an unscrupulous and criminal figure.

The series mainly shows Saul Goodman's transformation from an honest lawyer to a criminal figure. The deep psychological analysis of his character, his family relationships, especially with his brother Chuck (Michael McKean), and his descent into immorality, provide a great dramatic experience for the audience.

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Gomorrah

Where to watch: Prime Video

It is an Italian crime drama television series, based on the book of the same name by Roberto Saviano. Gomorrah mainly talks about Gennaro Genny Savastano and Ciro di Marzio.

The relationship, rivalry, ups and downs, and internal wars between the two characters create a storyline of this intense psychological and moral conflict, just as in The Sopranos.

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Fargo

Where to watch: Prime Video

Fargo explores the interplay of crime, unusual circumstances. This shows strange relationships between human characters, with a series of crimes and unbelievable events occurring one after the other. The plot is generally centered around a small-town crime scene and the lives of several characters residing within it.

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Ozark

Where to watch: Netflix

Ozark's story takes a gradual and exciting turn as Martha becomes involved with Mexican drug traffickers to protect her family. This also involves her wife and two children, and the series highlights the human crisis within them, family relationships, and the complexity of the criminal world in order to survive.

Ozark portrays the human and moral conflicts of its characters very subtly, which creates curiosity and interest in the audience. Just as Tony Soprano's character in The Sopranos was in conflict between his criminal life and his family life, so too is Martha Bryden suffering between the world of crime and her morality in Ozark.

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Sons of Anarchy

Where to watch: Prime Video

Sons of Anarchy, an American television series, is based on the life of a motorcycle club and the crimes, relationships, and conflicts that exist within them. The show centers on Jax Taylor, a member of the motorcycle club "Sons of Anarchy".

He, on the one hand, works for his club, while on the other hand, he tries to balance his own moral values and family relationships. The series is a powerful anti-law society and presents themes of power, responsibility, and revenge. Sons of Anarchy's strong storytelling, great character depth, and moral conflict have won it over many viewers, and have been influenced by crime shows like The Sopranos.

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Narcos

Where to watch: Netflix

Narcos, a popular crime drama series, is based on a Colombian drug lord and his dark drug empire. It is based on true events, follows the rise, rule, and fall. The lack of morality and humanity among the characters in Narcos is evident.

The psychological conflicts of the character of Pablo Escobar, his family life, and his role within the world of crime are truly fascinating. The series provides an in-depth analysis of the relationships and crises between the wormhole of the criminal world and the lives of his victims.

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True Detective

Here to watch: Netflix

True Detective, a popular American crime thriller, loved my critiques. Each season of True Detective features a new story and new characters. Each season focuses on the complexity of crime and personal conflict. True Detective's complex characters and deep storytelling approach, like The Sopranos, have taken the quality of television drama to a new level, no doubt about that.

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The Sopranos was an analysis of the inner conflicts of people. This crime drama shows their personal struggles and family relationships.

The psychological analysis of the drama's characters and their inner conflicts gave the audience a human depth. In one word, The Sopranos has become a path for many shows to follow.