"The Sopranos" is known for its groundbreaking storytelling, but so many other facets of the series were equally untraditional. Edie Falco gave an award-winning performance as Carmela, but she was the last person to expect she would be cast as a mob wife.

Lorraine Bracco, who plays Dr. Melfi, wanted to break free of her typecast. In another universe, the two actresses might have swapped roles. Instead, creator David Chase took a different route. It was an unexpected choice, but "The Sopranos" was definitely all the better for it.