The Sopranos: 10 Best Minor Characters

Of all the mistresses that Tony has had over the run of The Sopranos, Svetlana was the most dangerous and the most level.

His usual attraction to damaged women that needed him was gone during his brief affair with Svetlana. She was the one-legged nurse who looked after both Tony's Mother Livia and his uncle Junior when he became unable to care for himself.

Tony is seen to have a lot of respect for Kirilenko because she doesn't let her injury define her life and is a strong woman who makes her own way, she shares some personality traits with Carmela in some respects because of her strength and unafraid attitude.

His relationship with her is what causes Carmela to leave Tony after years of putting up with his affairs. It is indicated that Carmela's reaction may be because of how different Svetlana is to the usual airheads Tony engages with.

Svetlana is also the reason why Janice comes close to being whacked. After the pair fell out over Livia leaving Svetlana some items, Janice steals Svetlana's leg in retaliation and Svetlana then calls her contacts in the Russian mafia to end the dispute. Which causes Tony more undue stress.

She was a great character to have in the series and she had a real effect on the show, despite the fact that she featured in only 7 episodes.