Ananova:

Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction star Steve Buscemi is joining the cast of The Sopranos as Tony's cousin.

The 46-year-old, who has directed episodes of the US mafia drama, will regularly appear as mobster Tony Blundetto.

Meanwhile, James Gandolfini says he's "not ready to say goodbye" to his character as the Sopranos prepares for its fifth and penultimate series.

Gandolfini, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of mob boss Tony Soprano, said the role gives him mixed feelings.

"He's got a lot of rage, and you have to scrape that up. Eight or nine months a year, 14 hours a day, it starts to take its toll after a while," he said.

Gandolfini, 42, said the fourth season's critically-acclaimed finale, in which his character split with wife Carmela, had been especially challenging.

Gandolfini's own marriage ended in divorce at about the same time, and he said: "Having gone through something similar personally, it was difficult having to dredge those things up. "