About Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

"Boardwalk Empire" is a critically acclaimed crime drama series that aired on HBO from 2010 to 2014. The show is set during the Prohibition era and focuses on Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, a powerful political figure in Atlantic City, who is simultaneously a politician and a gangster. The series delves into Nucky's dealings with real-life gangsters and impressive ensemble of fictional characters while also highlighting the social and political issues of the time.

Making/Production

The series was created by Terence Winter and produced by Martin Scorsese, among others. The pilot episode was directed by Scorsese and reportedly cost $18 million, making it one of the most expensive pilots ever. The show was filmed on location in New York and New Jersey, with a meticulously-constructed boardwalk set built in Brooklyn.

Actors

• Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson: Buscemi delivers a compelling performance as the corrupt and cunning dominant figure in Atlantic City.
• Kelly Macdonald as Margaret Schroeder: Macdonald plays a woman who becomes entangled in Nucky's world after seeking his help.
• Michael Shannon as Nelson Van Alden: Shannon portrays a zealous federal agent determined to bring Nucky down.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• The character of Nucky Thompson is based on a real-life person, Enoch L. Johnson.
• The set for the Atlantic City boardwalk was built in a parking lot in Brooklyn.
• "Boardwalk Empire" features several historical characters, including Al Capone and Lucky Luciano.

Awards

"Boardwalk Empire" has been the recipient of numerous awards, including 20 Primetime Emmy Awards from 40 nominations and five Golden Globe Awards from 12 nominations.

Quotes

• "You can't be half a gangster, Nucky, not anymore." - Jimmy Darmody
• "We all have to decide for ourselves how much sin we can live with." - Nucky Thompson
• "I ain't building no bookcase." - Chalky White

Music/Soundtrack

• "Straight Up and Down" by The Brian Jonestown Massacre is the series' theme song.
• The soundtrack features music from the Jazz Age, including songs by Louis Armstrong and Irving Berlin.
• Several volumes of the show's soundtrack have been released, containing both the original score and period music.