MUCH has been written about the number of high quality dramas invading these shores from across the Atlantic.

The likes of Sex and the City, CSI, NYPD Blue, 24 and Boomtown have proved that the Yanks can indeed, when they put their minds to it, output far superior quality programmes than those that infest many UK channels.

The Sopranos is still the boss, though.

For the uninitiated, the series, which begins a fourth season on Channel 4 on Tuesday, is a powerful look at the private lives of Mafia members set in New Jersey.

It is an eye-opening mixture of the ingredients that go hand in hand with such stories: casual violence and swearing that would make Ozzy Osbourne's flowing locks curl.

So, we thought it a good idea to bring you up to speed with the programme that puts most Hollywood movies to shame.

Essentially, The Sopranos explores -- as you might expect from a show about the Mafia -- the Family.

However, the irony here is that the main man Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini) is a mob boss who has supreme control over his professional "Family", but has a more taxing time with his wife, mother, children and sister. As we join the characters in this new series, the theme is explicit: cash flow. Tony is worried about lack of revenue growth from his 'businesses' and his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) is anxious to make financial provision for her family's future and wants to call in an expert to advise them. Tony is less than impressed.

And head of the family 'Junior' Soprano (Dominic Chianese) is also worried about money because, since his arrest, his legal bills are mounting.

Meanwhile, Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli) is worried for

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his future, full stop. And to add to his woes (although he is unaware of the fact) his girlfriend Adriana (Drea De Matteo) has been befriended by an undercover FBI agent . . .

A 24:7 guide to The Sopranos

Tony Soprano

Carmela Soprano

Meadow Soprano

Anthony Soprano, Jr

Corrado "Junior" Soprano

Dr. Jennifer Melfi

Christopher Moltisanti

Adriana La Cerva

Furio Giunta

Ralphie Cifaretto

Paulie 'Walnuts' Gaultieri

Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri

Corrado "Junior" Soprano

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano

Mafia boss. Giant, bear of a man, with a giant, bear of a temper. Loves his food. Runs his "waste management" business with a rod of iron (and a gun). Has two kids -- Meadow and Anthony Jr. Oh, and he's a regular visitor to a psychiatrist after years of panic attacks.

Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano

Long-suffering wife of Tony and mother of Meadow and Anthony Jr. Turns a blind eye to Tony's "business affairs" and extra-marital affairs. Big spender, who is torn by conflict because although she enjoys all the benefits that organised crime has brought her, she is deeply religious.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano

Tony and Carmela's beautiful, and smart, daughter. Has left home to go to college (well aware of her father's business dealings), but is only across the river in Manhattan, so often pops home to Jersey.

Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano, Jr

AJ has turned very much into an American "Kevin" and is at the stage where he really doesn't want to know his mum and dad. A potential flashpoint for sure.

Dominic Chianese as Corrado "Junior" Soprano

Older brother of Tony's father, Johnny Boy Soprano. Plagued by ill-health and now in a state of near panic over his impending trial.

Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi

Tony's psychiatrist. Simultaneously fascinated, yet horrified, at his exploits, has made serious headway with his problems. As ever, it's all Tony's mum's fault.

Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti

Tony's quick-tempered nephew. Loves the Mafia lifestyle, but quick to fall out with fellow members of the crew. Very loyal to Tony.

Drea De Matteo as Adriana La Cerva

Christopher's bimbo girlfriend. Like Carmela, is worried about her partner's role in the whole organisation, but that doesn't mean she refuses all the gifts and cash that come from his shady dealings.

Federico Castelluccio as Furio Giunta

Tony's foot soldier. Pony-tailed Sicilian who longs for the old country. A central character in this fourth series, involved in an intriguing plot line.

Joe Pantoliano as Ralphie Cifaretto

Bona fide nutcase. This be-wigged made guy is as psychotic as they come. Beat a girlfriend to death because she stood up to him in series three and seems to have been inviiting being "whacked" in every episode since. Tony is not a big fan, but acknowledges that Ralphie brings in the money big style.

Tony Sirico as Paulie 'Walnuts' Gaultieri

One of Tony's crew. Involved in possibly the greatest Sopranos episode so far (Series 3) when he and Christopher got lost in the snow-covered woods, searching for a Russian hitman. Speaks his mind and although less nutty than Ralphie, is a tough cookie indeed.

Steve R Schirripa as Bobby "Bacala" Baccalieri

Another of Tony's crew, who spends most of his time (when not eating pasta) looking after Junior as he awaits trial.

A Mob Dictionary

Boss: the head of the Family. He makes all the decisions. Not a chap to cross.

Capo: the Family member who leads a crew.

Clip: to murder.

Consigliere: the Family adviser.

Crew: the group of "soldiers" under the capo's command.

Family: an organised crime clan, like the Sopranos.

Goomah: a Mafia mistress.

Lam: to lay low.

Made guy: an indoctrinated member of the Family.

Mob: a crime family or families.

Omerta: to take a vow of silence in the Mafia, punishable by death if not upheld.

Pinched: to get caught by the cops.

The Programme: the Witness Protection Programme.

Rat: a grass.

Soldier: the bottom-level member of an organised crime.

This Thing of Ours: a mob family, or the entire mob.

Waste management business: euphemism for organised crime.

Wiseguy: a made guy.