Edie Falco, known to millions as Carmela Soprano from The Sopranos, has had quite a career since the series ended in 2007. Her portrayal of the long-suffering wife of mafia boss Tony Soprano earned her widespread acclaim, making her one of the most memorable figures in television history. But even with her legendary role in The Sopranos, there were still moments in the franchise’s history that didn’t make it to the screen.
One of those moments happened during the filming of The Many Saints of Newark (2021), the prequel film to The Sopranos that dives into the early life of Tony Soprano (played by Michael Gandolfini, son of the late James Gandolfini) and his uncle Dickie Moltisanti. Although the film didn’t include a scene with Carmela—one that Edie Falco filmed herself—she recently opened up about the experience of revisiting her character after more than a decade and the moment the scene was ultimately cut. Here’s what we know about the cut Carmela scene and Edie Falco’s emotional reaction.
What Was the Cut Scene About?
When The Many Saints of Newark was being filmed, fans were eagerly hoping for some connection to the beloved Sopranos characters. Falco’s Carmela was undoubtedly one of the most essential parts of the original show, and the idea of seeing her character again, even for a brief moment, was an exciting prospect for long-time fans.
Falco revealed that she was indeed brought in to reprise her role, filming a monologue that would have seen Carmela reflecting on the past. In an interview with IndieWire, Falco shared some insight into the cut scene. “I came in, and I did a monologue,” she recalled. “I’m embarrassed that I don’t know what it was about. It was Carmela as if she was musing on the old days, and then the movie began.”
Although she couldn’t remember the specific details of the monologue, the scene was likely intended to offer a poignant connection between Carmela’s life as Tony’s wife and the unfolding events in The Many Saints of Newark. However, it didn’t make the final cut of the film.
A Surprising Cut and a Personal Reaction
As is often the case with the editing process, not every scene makes it into the final version of a film—even scenes that have been filmed and planned for inclusion. Director Alan Taylor, who also worked on The Sopranos, made the decision to leave Falco’s scene on the cutting room floor.
The actress described her reaction to the cut with a mix of nostalgia and understanding. “What a flippy day that was,” she said, laughing at the surreal nature of returning to such an iconic role after so many years. She also shared that it was an emotional experience to be back in Carmela’s world, even if briefly: “All these years later they’re doing my hair, putting on jewelry, putting the nails back on, it was like a serious trip. There were so many Sopranos people there. It was so lovely. I’m so deeply fond of those people, Alan Taylor, of course, amongst them.”
The bittersweet nature of revisiting her old character, only for the scene to be removed, seemed to add an extra layer of depth to Falco’s feelings about the whole experience. Still, she remained grateful for the opportunity to return, even if only briefly, to the world of The Sopranos.
Why Was the Scene Cut from The Many Saints of Newark?
While Edie Falco’s scene was filmed with all the love and care that The Sopranos franchise is known for, there are often reasons beyond the actor’s performance that can lead to a scene being cut from the final film.
In the case of The Many Saints of Newark, the cut was likely a matter of pacing and tone. The movie, which focuses on the rise of a young Tony Soprano and his mentor Dickie Moltisanti, is filled with new characters and events that are designed to flesh out the backstory of the show’s iconic world. Including a scene with Carmela might have created a narrative shift that didn’t align with the film’s focus on the earlier days of Tony’s life.
Director Alan Taylor and creator David Chase had to make difficult decisions about what to include to maintain the film’s thematic core. Ultimately, it seems that a reflection from Carmela on her earlier days, while potentially poignant, didn’t contribute to the overall flow of the prequel.
But despite the cut, the presence of Sopranos alumni in the film, including Corey Stoll (as Junior Soprano), Billy Magnussen (as Paulie Walnuts), and John Magaro (as Silvio Dante), helped maintain that unmistakable Sopranos essence.
The Legacy of Carmela Soprano and Edie Falco’s Impact
Carmela Soprano is one of the most complex and compelling female characters in television history. Played by Edie Falco, she was the embodiment of the loyal but conflicted mafia wife—caught between love, ambition, and a growing awareness of her husband’s criminal empire. Falco’s portrayal won her multiple Emmy Awards and was central to the show’s success.
Even though The Many Saints of Newark focuses primarily on the male characters, it’s clear that Carmela’s impact remains significant. For Falco, reprising the role after so many years was a deeply emotional experience. She noted how the transition back into Carmela’s world felt both surreal and normal, given how much time she had spent playing the character.
“It was crazy, but so normal, because I spent 10 years of my life doing that daily,” Falco said. “You don’t get to do that a lot.” And while her screen time in The Many Saints of Newark was limited, it’s clear that Carmela’s presence in the Sopranos universe continues to resonate, even if her character didn’t make it into the film’s final cut.
The Future of The Sopranos Franchise
Though The Many Saints of Newark didn’t fully bring the old gang back together, it still served as a bridge for fans to re-enter the world of The Sopranos, albeit through the lens of its earlier years. The film, which explored the origins of Tony’s rise to power and the world of organized crime, added layers to the Sopranos mythology, shedding light on characters who were pivotal to the show’s eventual drama.
In the future, it remains unclear whether we will see more films or series based on the Sopranos universe. But one thing is certain: the legacy of Carmela Soprano and the unforgettable performance by Edie Falco will continue to be a hallmark of this iconic show.
For fans, any return to the world of The Sopranos, whether it’s through a prequel, spin-off, or a future project, will always come with the question of what might have been—like the cut scene of Carmela’s monologue in The Many Saints of Newark. Yet, the love for these characters and their complicated lives remains as strong as ever.
Conclusion: A Heartfelt Return, Even Without the Scene
Edie Falco’s journey back into Carmela Soprano’s shoes in The Many Saints of Newark was a reminder of how much the character—and the actress—mean to the show’s enduring legacy. Though the monologue she filmed didn’t make it into the final cut, the fact that the scene was filmed at all serves as a testament to how much The Sopranos world continues to live on, even in unexpected ways.
As fans of the series, we can appreciate that sometimes a cut scene can be just as important as the scenes that make it to the final version. For Edie Falco, revisiting Carmela was a nostalgic moment, filled with fond memories of the characters and crew she loved working with. Even if we didn’t get to see it on screen, we can be sure that the experience was as meaningful to her as it was to us.
