HBO in Atlantic City: "Boardwalk Empire"
HBO today will formally announce the pick up of Boardwalk Empire, Terence Winter's sprawling saga set in Atlantic City in the '20s that could turn out to be the TV event of next fall.
HBO in Atlantic City: "Boardwalk Empire"
Jonathan Storm, Inquirer Television Critic
HBO today will formally announce the pick up of Boardwalk Empire, Terence Winter's sprawling saga set in Atlantic City in the '20s that could turn out to be the TV event of next fall. Creator Winter was one of the key writers on The Sopranos, and this show could have a period Sopranos feel, starring Steve Buscemi, who played the ill-fated Tony Blundetto, as Nucky Thompson, a fictionalized version of Nucky Johnson. Part political boss, part gangster, Johnson ruled A.C., and much of the state political landscape, for 30 years until he went to jail in 1941 for, what else?, income tax evasion. His greatest influence came during Prohibition, when Atlantic City was a wide-open down, and Johnson was involved in (illegal) gambling, prostitution and booze..
The show has other Sopranos connections. Tim Van Patten, who directed 20 episodes, is an executive producer, along with Mark Wahlberg, who's also helped produce In Treatment and Entourage for HBO. But there's a bigger name on the exec-prod roster: Martin Scorsese, who helmed the pilot and was seen kicking around in Atlantic City last spring when it was being shot. Marty will stay on, but no word on exactly what he'll be doing.
Though Dabney Coleman has a part, most of the actors are New York-based unknowns, just like James Gandolfini was a decade ago. The show will film mostly in Brooklyn, though it's hard to imagine them not taking the occasional field trip DownaCasinas for that true local flavor.
Its Nucky Johnson....not Nucky Thomson.— ac11- I clarified it. Thompson's the character, based on Johnson.— Jonathan Storm
- gotta admit... i never understood the appeal of foul-mouthed drama queen mobsters. i made several attempts to get into Sopranos, but nothing took. i just didn;t care about any of them - let em all get whacked.... love the theme music though. that said i did love the foul-mouthed Al Swearengen: "Pain or damage don't end the world. Or despair or beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man... and give some back. .." Ah, gutter poetry!— notmoving
- I am from Atlantic city ,I grew up there and I am Italian and I have a great look for a Show like the Soppranos, people tell me all the time I should have been on that show. I was wondering if you are still casting for this show? If so what casting agent are you useing? I am 39 yrs old and have always wanted to be in TV. you can email me directly at tonyp1229@yahoo.com if you would like to know more. Thank you, Tony— tonyp1229
