The Sopranos Both have up-and-down relationships with their two children: the intelligent-but-rebellious Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler), and underachiever A.J. (i.e., Anthony Jr.) (Robert Iler), whose everyday teenage issues are further complicated by their eventual knowledge of their father's criminal activities and reputation. The starring cast includes members of Tony's extended family, including: his disapproving, manipulative mother, Olivia "'Livia" Soprano (Nancy Marchand); his aimless, histrionic older sister, Janice (Aida Turturro); his paternal uncle Corrado "Junior" Soprano (Dominic Chianese), nominal boss of the crime family following the death of then-acting boss Jackie Aprile Sr.; cousin Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi); and Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli), often
The Sopranos to receive a nomination for the award. After being nominated for and losing the award in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003 (losing the first time to "The Practice" and the last three to "The West Wing"), "The Sopranos" won the award in 2004, and again in 2007. Its 2004 win made "The Sopranos" the first series on a cable network to win the award, while its 2007 win made the show the first drama series since "Upstairs, Downstairs" in 1977 to win the award after it had finished airing. The show earned 21 nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Drama