'Sopranos' headed for 5th season

(CNN) -- HBO has apparently managed to keep its most important family intact -- "The Sopranos" family, that is.

According to the New York Post, David Chase, the creator and executive producer of the highly acclaimed mob drama, has agreed to oversee a fifth season of the show. "The Sopranos" just finished its third season earlier this year, but there was speculation that Chase intended to end the series after four years.

Chase's deal is said to be as high as $20 million, according to the Post. HBO officials refused to comment on the report.

"The Sopranos," an often-graphic tale of a mob boss who struggles to juggle the contradictions between his "family" duties with his suburban family responsibilities, has been a huge success for HBO. It racked up 18 Emmy nominations last year, though it only won one (best actor to James Gandolfini, who plays the troubled lead, Tony Soprano).

This year, the show is up for 22 Emmys, including best drama.

The fourth season of "The Sopranos" isn't slated to air until June 2002.