Cara Buono, who plays the mob wife of made man Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli), was originally just supposed to be a guest star last spring. But in the fall, she was asked to join the HBO hit for its final episodes, she says.

"It's hard to put it into words," said Buono. "Every day I was there, I would have to say to myself that I was part of a show that I have so much respect for and love as an audience member - it was amazing and I feel really lucky.

"Everything you hear about the people on that show is true," she said. "They're really warm and it's just the best job that I've ever had."