Exclusive: The Sopranos prequel The Many Saints Of Newark has set its final major lead role. Michela De Rossi, the Italian-born actress who made her debut in Boys Cry, has been set to join Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Ray Liotta, Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro, Michael Gandolfini and the just-cast Leslie Odom Jr. in the ensemble drama for New Line. Production gets underway next week in New Jersey and New York.

Details have been scant on many of the big roles, but I’m told De Rossi will play an ambitious Italian immigrant who comes to America and settles in Newark. De Rossi has never acted in the U.S., and her first trip to the states was to audition for this role, which was highly sought after. The filmmakers sparked to a vivacity and authentic feel she brought to it. Boys Cry was a breakout at...