NEW YORK&#151 HBO's acclaimed series THE SOPRANOS is currently in production in New York and New Jersey for its third season, returning to the network with 13 new episodes beginning next March.

Creator David Chase's acclaimed drama series tells the story of Tony Soprano, a modern-day mob boss and his family. THE SOPRANOS stars recent Emmy&#174-winner James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, Lorraine Bracco as therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, 1999 Emmy&#174-winner Edie Falco as Tony's wife Carmela, Michael Imperioli as Tony's nephew Christopher and Dominic Chianese as Uncle Junior. Also returning to the series are regulars Robert Iler, Drea de Matteo, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico and Steven Van Zandt.

Joining the cast this season are Joe Pantoliano ("The Matrix") as new character Ralph Cifaretto and Steven R. Schirripa ("The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas"), reprising his role as Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri. Charles S. Dutton (Emmy&#174 for directing HBO's "The Corner") will guest star as a police officer who runs afoul of Tony Soprano; Peter Riegert ("Local Hero") will guest star in several episodes as a corrupt politician.

Aida Turturro, who plays Tony's sister Janice, will return to the show, as will series regulars John Ventimiglia, Federico Castelluccio and Katherine Narducci.

The third season of the series will continue to explore the moral and emotional minefield of Tony Soprano's life. The death of his mother Livia and the departure of his daughter Meadow for college are just two of the developments that affect him.

Veteran directors of THE SOPRANOS returning for new shows are Allen Coulter, John Patterson, Tim Van Patten and Henry J. Bronchtein. They are joined this season by Jack Bender, who has directed episodes of "Judging Amy," "Profiler" and "Northern Exposure," and Steve Buscemi who directed, wrote and starred in the feature film "Trees Lounge," directed an episode of HBO's "Oz," and starred in such films as "Armageddon" and "Fargo."

David Chase, Mitchell Burgess & Robin Green, Todd A. Kessler, Terence Winter and Michael Imperioli are among the writers for the third season.

Joe Pantoliano's credits include the blockbuster "The Matrix," "The Fugitive," "U.S. Marshals," "Bad Boys," "Midnight Run," "Bound" and HBO's "El Diablo." Recent winner of an Emmy&#174 for directing the HBO miniseries "The Corner," Charles S. Dutton's acting credits include "Cookie's Fortune," "A Time to Kill," "Get on the Bus," "Cry, the Beloved Country" and "Random Hearts." Peter Riegert's credits include "Local Hero," "The Baby Dance," "The Mask," HBO's "Barbarians at the Gate" and "Crossing Delancey."

In time for the holidays, HBO Home Video will release "The Sopranos: The Complete First Season" on video and DVD. Available Dec. 12, the home video set will feature all 13 episodes of the first season in a five-volume VHS edition and a four-disc DVD edition. The DVD package includes such special features as an interview with David Chase by filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich, an audio commentary track for the first episode by Chase and Bogdanovich, behind-the-scenes featurettes and more.

In addition, fans will be able to pick up an authorized companion book, "The Sopranos: A Family History," written by Allen Rucker and published by The New American Library this November.

THE SOPRANOS was created by David Chase. Executive producers, David Chase, Brad Grey and Mitchell Burgess & Robin Green; co-executive producer, Ilene S. Landress; producers, Todd A. Kessler, Terence Winter, Henry J. Bronchtein and Martin Bruestle.

Contact Info:
Diego Aldana (New York)
(212) 512-5496 5025

Mara Mikialian (Los Angeles)
(310) 382-3276