Viewers searching for a new binge-worthy series need look no further than Boardwalk Empire, the HBO Prohibition-era drama that first aired in 2010 and has been hailed as one of the finest examples of the genre. The show is now available to stream, providing a perfect distraction for those awaiting the Peaky Blinders film.
The series has earned a devoted following on IMDb, with multiple 10/10 reviews praising its quality. One reviewer called it 'one of the best shows I’ve ever seen', citing 'fantastic' production and 'incredible attention to detail', while another declared it 'one of the best TV shows of all time' and compared it favourably to Breaking Bad and The Sopranos. A third critic described it as 'without a doubt one the best gangster shows ever created' and noted that each season was as 'addictive' as the last.
Set in 1920s Atlantic City during the Prohibition era, the series follows Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson, played by Steve Buscemi, a politician and mobster based on real-life figure Enoch L. Johnson. The character navigates a world of gangsters, politicians, federal agents and voters, blending historical events with fictional storytelling. Reviewers have praised the way the show 'comes full circle' with a 'satisfying end'.
The programme boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Michael Stuhlbarg, Stephen Graham, Michael Kenneth Williams, Gretchen Mol and Ron Livingston. It was created by Terence Winter, an Emmy-winning writer from The Sopranos, and its pilot was directed by Martin Scorsese, marking his return to television after more than two decades. The series went on to win multiple Emmys and two Golden Globes.
Boardwalk Empire ran for five seasons and is now available as part of the Essential TV bundle from Sky, which includes Netflix and Discovery+ for £15 a month. The bundle offers live and on-demand TV without a satellite dish or aerial, and also features hit shows such as The Last of Us and Squid Game.
