Could The Sopranos and Sons of Anarchy be connected in more ways than just genre? A wild fan theory says yes—and it all hinges on one key character played by actress Drea de Matteo.
De Matteo famously portrayed Adriana La Cerva in The Sopranos, the tragic fiancée of Christopher Moltisanti who was presumed killed off-screen in 2004. Then, just four years later, she resurfaced on TV as Wendy Case in Sons of Anarchy, Jax Teller’s troubled ex-wife and the mother of his son, Abel.
At first glance, it’s just another actor playing two different roles. But what if Wendy is Adriana?
The theory speculates that Silvio Dante never actually killed Adriana. Instead, he may have spared her, helped her disappear, and she reemerged on the West Coast as Wendy Case. The idea is supported by the fact that Adriana’s death wasn’t shown on screen—and a chilling line in Sons of Anarchy’s final episode adds fuel to the fire. When Nero jokes about Wendy riding in the trunk, she replies, “Wouldn’t be the first time.” Fans immediately connected this to how Adriana was last seen—being led to her death and presumably placed in a car trunk.
While it’s more likely a coincidence or a fun Easter egg, the thematic similarities are hard to ignore. Both Adriana and Wendy are intimately tied to powerful criminals, struggle with addiction and identity, and face immense emotional trauma. And both show different sides of Drea de Matteo’s talent—making the theory all the more compelling.
Whether or not Wendy is Adriana in hiding, this theory makes for a fun rewatch of both shows—and shows how much impact one actor can have across two iconic crime dramas.
