25 years ago, David Chase and HBO made television history when the first episode of The Sopranos hit the airwaves on January 10, 1999. The series was groundbreaking on numerous levels. Not only did they introduce iconic character Tony Soprano (portrayed by the late James Gandolfini), but Chase’s world-building and character development set the stage for a new breed of anti-heroes and redefined the glorified image of the gangster.