Boardwalk empire is a television series.
Boardwalk Empire is an American period crime drama television series created by Terence Winter and airing on premium cable channel HBO . The pilot episode was directed by Martin Scorsese and produced at a cost of $ 18 million . The series received 57 Primetime Emmy Award nominations , including two for Outstanding Drama Series , winning 20 . `` Boardwalk Empire '' is the pilot episode of the HBO crime drama Boardwalk Empire . Written by series creator Terence Winter and directed by Martin Scorsese with a budget of $ 18 million , the episode introduces the character of Nucky Thompson , played by Steve Buscemi , as the corrupt treasurer of Atlantic City who is involved in gambling and bootlegging in 1920 .