A great time with Uncle Junior from the Sopranos: best podcasts of the week

Fans of the show will not want to miss this revealing new series with Dominic Chianese and his son. Plus, a political drama that’s as thrilling as a Bourne novel

The Sopranos star Dominic Chianese (95) and his son Dominic Chianese Jr (62) helm this new series, a cosy father-son catchup , and all the better for it. Choice cuts include Chianese Sr’s admission that he thought the show was a spoof at first, playing his first scene as crime boss Junior for laughs. As for “Jimmy” Gandolfini, he was “in the same stratosphere as Al Pacino ... acting with him was so easy because he was so real and so believable”. Hannah J Davies Widely available, episodes weekly

The Rest Is … stable has form in audio drama . This new one, an action-heavy political thriller about beef between Britain and Russia, is described by its creators as “a British Bourne”. The dramatic writing and input of real-life defence experts makes for an atmospheric listen that blurs the lines between fiction and present reality. HJD Widely available, episodes weekly

More Sopranos-adjacent podcasting, with Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa in this new drama about how the mafia exploited the chaos caused by 9/11. Drawing on true events, it is a solid gangland drama elevated by a strong cast, not least Imperioli as brave cop Frank Sturiano. HJD Widely available, all episodes out now

Rose Stokes is a journalist who has always had issues with her weight. Prof Giles Yeo is an obesity scientist. In this nuanced series , they exchange views and facts on how the age of GLP-1s has disrupted our relationship with weight and bodies. They unpick the issues from all angles, from how these drugs work to the marketing of them and their own experiences of using them. Hollie Richardson Widely available, episodes weekly

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