Boardwalk Empire (2010– )

Chronicles the life and times of Nucky Thompson, the undisputed ruler of Atlantic City, who was equal parts politician and gangster.

Creator:

Terence Winter

Stars:

Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 37 wins & 63 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Steve Buscemi	...	Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Kelly Macdonald	...	Margaret Schroeder (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Michael Shannon	...	Agent Nelson Van Alden (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Shea Whigham	...	Elias 'Eli' Thompson (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Michael Stuhlbarg	...	Arnold Rothstein (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Stephen Graham	...	Al Capone (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Vincent Piazza	...	Lucky Luciano (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Michael Kenneth Williams	...	Chalky White (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Anthony Laciura	...	Eddie Kessler (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Paul Sparks	...	Mickey Doyle (36 episodes, 2010-2012)
Gretchen Mol	...	Gillian Darmody (33 episodes, 2010-2012)
Jack Huston	...	Richard Harrow (29 episodes, 2010-2012)
Lucy Gallina	...	Emily Schroeder (27 episodes, 2010-2012)
Josie Gallina	...	Emily Schroeder (27 episodes, 2010-2012)
Declan McTigue	...	Teddy Schroeder (26 episodes, 2010-2012)
Rory McTigue	...	Teddy Schroeder (26 episodes, 2010-2012)
Michael Pitt	...	James 'Jimmy' Darmody (24 episodes, 2010-2011)
Aleksa Palladino	...	Angela Darmody (24 episodes, 2010-2011)
Paz de la Huerta	...	Lucy Danziger (24 episodes, 2010-2011)
Dabney Coleman	...	Commodore Louis Kaestner (24 episodes, 2010-2011)
Brady Noon	...	Tommy Darmody (24 episodes, 2010-2012)
Connor Noon	...	Tommy Darmody (24 episodes, 2010-2012)
Charlie Cox	...	Owen Slater (23 episodes, 2011-2012)
Anatol Yusef	...	Meyer Lansky (22 episodes, 2010-2012)
Victor Verhaeghe	...	Ward Boss Fleming (20 episodes, 2010-2012)
Robert Clohessy	...	Ward Boss Neary (17 episodes, 2010-2011)
Kevin O'Rourke	...	Edward Bader (17 episodes, 2010-2012)

Storyline

Set in the Prohibition era of the 1920s Boardwalk Empire is the story of Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, the treasurer of Atlantic County, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Due to his relationships with mobsters as well as political contacts, the Federal Government start to take an interest in him. His lavish lifestyle seems at odds with his position, and as well as his connections, there is prolific bootlegging in the area.

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Plot Keywords:

politician | atlantic city new jersey | gangster | boardwalk | 1920s | 

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Taglines:

You Can't Be Half A Gangster

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

HBO [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Also Known As:

Boardwalk Empire - Gengszterkorzó

Filming Locations:

Woolworth Mansion, Glen Cove, Long Island, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Leverage Management, Closest to the Hole Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many of the characters surrounding Nucky Thompson and all but the basics of Thompson's life are fictionalized. Major exceptions are the infamous gangsters depicted (i.e. Al Capone, Johnny Torio, Lucky Luciano, Arnold Rothstein & Meyer Lansky), who were based by the writers and actors to some extend on the real criminals' personalities and actions.

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Goofs

Al Capone's son, Sonny, is portrayed as being entirely deaf at the age of 2 years. In real life Sonny contracted an infection that only left him partially deaf and only did so at the age of 7. However, this series is intended to be fictional, but based on real life events. Factual inaccuracies are therefore not considered goofs.

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Quotes

Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson: The puppies have grown fangs.

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Connections

Featured in 2011 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Season of the Witch"
(1966)
Written by Donovan
[Opening instrumental theme]

User Reviews

Great pilot for a show that may run for many years.

Boardwalk Empire is a period piece set in Atlantic City at the start of prohibition. The pilot is directed by Martin Scorsese in what looks to be a very large budget, with locations and costumes all looking superb.

It focuses on Enoch 'Lucky' Thomson, played by Steve Buscemi, just as prohibition kicks in, and the start of bootlegging. Some would say a curious cast for the lead role as he is often best as a supporting character or just an out and out strange dude, but he glides through the first episode, with Scorsese choosing to show him as a man/potential gangster with a soft side, hinting at a meaner streak to come. The inevitable comparisons to Tony Soprano cannot be justified as it is just one episode and really a different kettle of fish altogether, although it is written by one of the Sopranos writers.

The supporting cast roles are all filled with established actors but with some great roles going to the younger set, notably Michael Pitt (Funny games), Stephen graham (This Is England) and Kelly MacDonald (Trainspotting) it gives a sense that it is going to run for many years as these characters develop.

As with all new series, it takes time to get the nitty gritty and give the audience a sense of belief and love for the characters. Some have said on here that the pilot is too slow, but in my opinion it moves along at a nice even pace with a great set up. The music throughout is also first class.

Time will tell if it can eclipse the dizzy heights of The Sopranos or The Wire, but judging by intent of everyone involved, it may just make the top 3!