As the new year begins, viewers searching for a gripping, long-form series have a perfect candidate: the critically acclaimed gangster drama Boardwalk Empire. The five-season HBO period piece, now available to stream on NOW, is being celebrated by fans as a masterpiece of the genre and an ideal watch for those awaiting the Peaky Blinders film.
Audience Acclaim: A Modern Television Masterpiece
The series has garnered a wave of perfect 10/10 reviews on IMDb, with audiences heaping praise on its execution. One reviewer succinctly titled their assessment "brilliant," declaring it "one of the best shows I've ever seen" and applauding its fantastic production and incredible attention to historical detail.
Another top-rated review went further, labelling it "one of the best TV shows of all time" and awarding a first-ever 10/10 rating on the site. This viewer 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."
The consensus is clear among fans. A third enthusiast described Boardwalk Empire as "without a doubt one the best gangster shows ever created," promising every season is as addictive as the last. They praised the amazing cast, particularly the lead's performance, calling it some of the best work ever seen on television.
The Story Behind the Screen: Prohibition-Era Power
Boardwalk Empire first premiered on HBO in 2010 and ran for five successful seasons. The series was the brainchild of Emmy Award-winning writer Terence Winter, known for his work on The Sopranos. Winter adapted the non-fiction book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City.
Set in 1920s Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, the show follows Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson, a political figure played by Steve Buscemi. The character is based on the real-life mobster and politician Enoch L. Johnson. The narrative charts Nucky's ruthless rise to power, intricately weaving together his dealings with gangsters, corrupt officials, federal agents, and the public.
A Stellar Ensemble and Legendary Direction
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast that rivals other HBO greats. Alongside Buscemi, it features Kelly Macdonald (Line of Duty), Michael Shannon, Stephen Graham, the late Michael Kenneth Williams (The Wire), Gretchen Mol, and Michael Stuhlbarg.
Adding immense prestige, legendary film director Martin Scorsese directed the pilot episode, marking his return to television after more than two decades. The pilot's success led to a full series order. Scorsese praised HBO's long-form storytelling, stating it fulfilled a creative hope from the 1960s for deep character and plot development.
The show's quality was recognised with numerous awards, including several Emmys and two Golden Globes. For audiences seeking a historically rich, character-driven saga with "beautiful cinematography" and a "satisfying end," Boardwalk Empire represents premium drama at its finest, ready to be discovered or revisited on streaming.
