New Exhibition Revisits HBO's Iconic 'The Sopranos'

Museum of Moving Image showcases scripts, set designs, and research that reveal the making of the groundbreaking TV drama.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:41pm

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A new exhibition at the Museum of Moving Image in New York City, titled 'Stories and Set Designs for The Sopranos,' offers a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the iconic HBO drama series. The exhibition features scripts, set designs, and research materials that provide insight into how the show's creator, David Chase, and his team brought the world of Tony Soprano and the Italian-American mafia to life over the course of six seasons.

Why it matters

The Sopranos is widely regarded as one of the most influential and groundbreaking television series of all time, paving the way for the 'golden age' of prestige TV that followed. This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the creative process behind the show, shedding light on the meticulous research and attention to detail that went into crafting its richly textured world and characters.

The details

The exhibition's centerpiece is a display case showcasing the team's 'wiseguy research' in the months leading up to filming the pilot, including clippings on the Genovese crime family and documents assigning characters their place within the mafia hierarchy. The surrounding walls are dedicated to recreating the key sets from the show, such as the Soprano family home, the Bada Bing strip club, and Dr. Melfi's psychiatry office, with concept art, ground plans, and episode clips providing a deeper look at the production design process.

  • The Sopranos premiered on HBO in 1997.
  • The exhibition 'Stories and Set Designs for The Sopranos' is on view at the Museum of Moving Image in New York City from February 14 to May 31, 2026.

The players

David Chase

The creator and showrunner of The Sopranos, who drew inspiration from the northern New Jersey community he grew up in to craft the show's richly detailed world and characters.

Dean Taucher

The production designer for The Sopranos, who recreated key sets like the Soprano family home, the Bada Bing strip club, and Dr. Melfi's office at Silvercup Studios in Queens for the first season, while Chase insisted that all exterior shots take place in New Jersey.

Barbara Miller

The curator of the 'Stories and Set Designs for The Sopranos' exhibition at the Museum of Moving Image, who aimed to provide a closer look at how the show transitioned from the pilot stage into full-scale production.

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What they’re saying

“By joining the design materials to the writing materials we wanted to provide a closer look at how The Sopranos, and a television series more broadly, moves from that initial pilot stage into series production. It uncovers the mystery of how these things happen. It's work; it's not magic.”

— Barbara Miller, Curator, 'Stories and Set Designs for The Sopranos' exhibition

“That golden age was not just about the excellence of the show itself, but a product of the conditions of the industry at that moment. The Sopranos connecting with HBO in that dynamic moment was fortuitous, both for them and for us as viewers.”

— Barbara Miller, Curator, 'Stories and Set Designs for The Sopranos' exhibition

What’s next

The 'Stories and Set Designs for The Sopranos' exhibition will be on view at the Museum of Moving Image in New York City until May 31, 2026, offering fans and visitors a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of television's most iconic and influential dramas.

The takeaway

The Sopranos' enduring legacy is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail and research that went into crafting its richly textured world and characters. This exhibition provides a unique opportunity to appreciate the hard work and creative vision that transformed a daring pilot into a groundbreaking television series that would pave the way for a new golden age of prestige TV.