Martin Scorsese lends himself to television for the first time in over a decade, to direct the pilot episode of Boardwalk Empire and serve as executive producer on this new HBO series. Boardwalk Empire is the fictionalised retelling of the rise of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson. Equal parts politician and gangster, he became the go-to guy for illegal alcohol during the Prohibition. Emmy and Golden Globe winner Steve Buscemi stars as Nucky Thompson, the Atlantic City treasurer who makes a name for himself in the world of illegal alcohol trade. Along for the ride are Michael Pitt, Paz de la Huerta, Jack Huston and Stephen Graham (as infamous American gangster Al Capone). The series’ attention to detail in terms of recreating the era is flawless; this critically acclaimed show is more like an episodic cinematic experience than a TV series – but with Scorsese at the helm, one wouldn’t expect anything else. Must-see TV for 2012. Release date: Jan 11, 2012 |