Few things in life feel as good, warm, and comforting as a grandmother’s hug. WhileThe Sopranoshardly conjures such welcoming vibes, three stars from the hit HBO mob drama headlineNonnas, a new PG-ratedNetflixcomedy for the whole family to indulge in together on July 11, 2025.
In addition to HBO alum Vince Vaughn (True Detective),NonnasstarsThe Sopranosalums Lorraine Bracco, Drea De Matteo, and Michael Rispoliin a story that finds an Italian family coming together to celebrate life through one of the great healing unifiers: food. Also starring Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire, and Linda Cardellini,Nonnasis the equivalent of a big bowl of comfort food that goes down easily and soothes the soul with life-affirming positivity and uplifting energy.
‘Nonnas’ Is Based on a True Story
Based on the true account of Jody Scaravella, owner of the real-life Staten Island trattoria, Enoteca Maria,Nonnasis afamily-friendly PG comedynew to Netflix on August 07, 2025. Directed by Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), the story concerns Joe Scaravella (Vaughn), an Italian American who finds his world shattered following the death of his mother. To honor his mother’s legacy, Joe uses insurance money to open the Italian restaurant his mother always wanted, hiring local Italian grandmothers (Nonnas) to work as chefs.
To get the restaurant up and running, Joe hires four Nonnas to cook, including first chef Roberta (Bracco), second chef Antonella (Brenda Vaccaro), ex-nun Teresa (Shire), and pastry chef Gia (Sarandon). Each wise grandmother comes from different Italian cities and contributes traditional, region-specific recipes and family cooking heirlooms.
Apart from the Nonnas, Joe turns to his best friend Bruno (Joe Manganiello), his wife Stella (Matteo), and old prom fling Olivia (Cardellini) to help him open Enoteca Maria and attract new diners. Beyond the economic and logistical struggles of opening a restaurant, Nonnas is about the healing power of family and food, enriching Italian culture through a culinary community. Of course,The Sopranosfans know well how important the role of food is in their daily lives.
How ‘Nonnas’ Connects to ‘The Sopranos’
Nonnaslinks toThe Sopranosin multiple ways, beginning with its star-studded cast. Bracco, who playedTony Soprano’s psychoanalyst, Jennifer Melfi, was instrumental in mining Tony’s panic attacks and psychological tumult. Meanwhile, Matteo played Christopher Moltisanti’s drug-addled girlfriend, Adriana La Cerva, whose grisly fate remains one of the most memorable Sopranos' fatalities. Karen Giordano, who plays Joe’s Nonna, portrayed Samantha Martin in a single episode ofThe Sopranosin 2000.
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Nonnasalso stars Michael Rispoli, who, after nearly beingcast as Tony Soprano, appeared in the watershed HBO drama as Jackie Aprile. More obscure casting connections include Jimmy Samgula, who played Wise Guy #1 in The Sopranos, who appears as Mr. Pionconne inNonnas. Antoinette LaVecchia and David Borella, who played Paula Salerno and Roberto inThe Sopranos, respectively, lend “additional voices” toNonnas.
Beyond the extensive cast connections,Nonnaswas filmed in New Jersey, home ofThe Sopranos. According to reports, Nonnas was filmed in Bayonne, Edison, Elizabeth, Hoboken, Jersey City, Linden, and Paterson. A fun fact forThe Sopranosfans:Nonnasfilmed in the famed New Jersey restaurant Spiritos, whichThe Sopranos' producers wanted to use for Artie Bucco’s Nuovo Vesuvio restaurant in the show.Nonnaswas granted permission after the restaurant closed, whileThe Sopranoswas denied access while the restaurant was still open.
‘Nonnas’ Explores the Healing Benefits of Family and Food
Speaking of Italian restaurants and the healing benefits of food, it’s hard not to think of actor Campbell Scott’s involvement inNonnas. Scott plays a character named Edward Durant inNonnas, calling to mind his excellent work co-directing the must-see 1996 movieBig Night. Set in New Jersey in the 1950s,Big Nightfollows Primo (Tony Shalhoub) and Secondo (Stanley Tucci), two Italian brothers and talented chefs who launch their new restaurant on opening night.
Also starring Isabella Rossellini, Allison Janney, Liev Schrieber, Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, and Marc Antony,Big Nightis a must-see movie on its own brilliant merits,but also reinforces a powerful theme inThe SopranosandNonnas:Food is the great unifying force that represents literal nourishment and figurative healing.
Thinkabout Martin Scorsese’sGoodfellas, which famously shares 27 cast members withThe Sopranos. Whether smuggling high-grade wine, cheese, and meat in prison, stirring Henry’s tomato sauce for the entire day, or Jimmy, Henry, and Tommy eating a meal with Tommy’s mother with Billy Bats stuffed in the car trunk mere feet away, food is paramount for bringing families together. Be it to celebrate marriage or life after death, few things are more important to Italian culture than cuisine.
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While on the subject, those who enjoy Italian crime dramas and food films must find the maddeningly underrated 2000 filmDinner Rush. Starring Danny Aiello and Edoardo Ballerini (who played Corky Caporale inThe Sopranos),Dinner Rushis a chaotic day in the life of a talented Italian chef, where several sordid characters with their own agendas converge. It may not have the feel-good warmth ofNonnas, but it’s a must-see affair for fans ofGoodfellas, Big Night,andThe Sopranos.
Now,back to Tony Soprano, the lead character on the HBO mob drama, who is seen eating food in every episode, often more than once. Whether sitting down for an entire meal or eating cold-cut gabagool from the fridge, Tony’s relationship with food was a significant thematic motif in the show. Heck, his crew set up shop in a pork store, and the controversial final scene occurs in a restaurant as Tony inhales a tray of onion rings.
To understand how vital food is in Tony’s personal and professional life, watchthis fan videocompiling 42 minutes of food scenes inThe Sopranos.WhileNonnasis deliberately lighter and more uplifting in its message about the healing powers of food and family, its connections toThe Sopranosreinforce the same fundamental idea that, through life and death, few things bring Italian families closer and tighter together than a shared mealfrom handed-down traditions.Nonnashits Netflix on June 23, 2025.
