Martin Scorcese's, Boardwalk Empire, received critical acclaim during its first season on HBO. Boardwalk Empire is based on true and fictitious characters.

Enoch “Nucky” Johnson (Steve Buscemi) is based on Enoch L Johnson, the true life treasurer of Atlantic County. Arnold Rothstein (Michael Stuhlbarg), Charles “Lucky” Luciano (Vincent Piazza) and a young Al Capone (Stephen Graham) are interwoven into the plot. James “Jimmy” Darmoody is a troubled WWI vet drawn back under the influence of Nucky. Margaret Schroeder (Kelly Macdonald) is a young Irish wife and mother living in a bad situation. She is befriended by Nucky.

Boardwalk Empire is set at the beginning of Prohibition. Nucky uses his political machine to grant favors and keep himself in good graces with the voters and to enrich himself in criminal activities. Nucky sees the huge profits possible from bootlegging. He uses his power to have whiskey shipped from Canada, to be picked up offshore of Atlantic City. Nucky sees himself as a good guy, but all who come under his influence see their lives deteriorate.

There is graphic violence and nudity. Both are presented in better style than the typical mature audience series presented on premium cable channels.

Boardwalk Empire won a Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Series. Martin Scorcese won the Director's Guild award for directing the pilot episode. Steve Buscemi won a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series. The series, cast and crew were nominated for awards by the Writers Guild of America, Screen Actor's Guild and American Film Institute.