As the new year begins, viewers across the UK are seeking their next television obsession, and a critically acclaimed period gangster drama is surging in popularity. Boardwalk Empire, the HBO series that ran for five seasons from 2010, is being celebrated by fans as a seminal piece of television and the perfect watch for those awaiting the Peaky Blinders movie.
Audience Acclaim: A Modern Television Masterpiece
The series has garnered a wave of fervent praise on platforms like IMDb, where it has received a slew of perfect 10/10 reviews. One fan simply titled their review “brilliant”, declaring it “one of the best shows I’ve ever seen” and praising its fantastic production and incredible attention to detail.
Another top-rated review went further, calling it “one of the best TV shows of all time” and awarding a first-ever 10/10 rating on the site. The reviewer highlighted the phenomenal character development, drawing favourable comparisons to titans like Breaking Bad and The Sopranos, and urged others: “Do yourself a favor and start watching this masterpiece right away.”
A third enthusiast described the show as “without a doubt one the best gangster shows ever created”, promising that every season remains as addictive as the last. They reserved special praise for the amazing cast, particularly the lead performance.
The Story Behind the Show: Prohibition-Era Power
Boardwalk Empire first premiered in 2010, created by Emmy Award-winning writer Terence Winter, a key figure behind The Sopranos. Winter adapted the non-fiction book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City to craft a story set in the 1920s during America's Prohibition era.
The narrative follows Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson, a political figure rising to power in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Masterfully portrayed by Steve Buscemi, the character is based on the real-life mobster and politician Enoch L. Johnson. The plot intricately weaves together his dealings with gangsters, fellow politicians, federal agents, and the public, blending historical fact with compelling fiction.
A Stellar Ensemble and Legendary Direction
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast that rivals other HBO greats like Game of Thrones. Alongside Buscemi, the show features Kelly Macdonald (Line of Duty), Michael Shannon, Stephen Graham, and the late Michael Kenneth Williams from The Wire.
Adding immense prestige, legendary film director Martin Scorsese helmed the pilot episode, marking his return to television direction after more than two decades. The success of that pilot led HBO to commission a full season. Reflecting on his involvement, Scorsese praised HBO in 2010 for realising the creative freedom of long-form storytelling that filmmakers had long hoped for.
The show’s quality was recognised with numerous awards, including several Emmys and two Golden Globes. For audiences looking for a rich, character-driven saga with historical depth, Boardwalk Empire offers a complete and satisfying five-season journey. The series is available to stream now on NOW in the UK.
