About
Atlantic City at the dawn of Prohibition is a place where the rules don't apply. And the man who runs things -- legally and otherwise -- is the town's treasurer, Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, who is equal parts politician and gangster.
Cast
Steve Buscemi
as Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson
Kelly Macdonald
as Margaret Schroeder / Margaret Thompson
Michael Shannon
as Nelson Van Alden
Shea Whigham
as Elias 'Eli' Thompson
Stephen Graham
as Al Capone
Vincent Piazza
as Charles 'Lucky' Luciano
Michael Kenneth Williams
as Albert 'Chalky' White
Paul Sparks
as Mieczysław 'Mickey' Doyle
Gretchen Mol
as Gillian Darmody
Jeffrey Wright
as Valentin Narcisse
Ben Rosenfield
as William 'Willie' Thompson
Seasons
Season 1
On the eve of Prohibition in 1920, Atlantic City county treasurer Enoch "Nucky" Thompson is looking to cash in. Prohibition may have outlawed alcohol, but in Nucky's world it has opened up highly lucrative opportunities for gangsters and rumrunners looking to provide "liquid gold" for a thirsty nation. In a city defined by notorious backroom politics and vicious power struggles, Nucky battles a relentless federal agent, ambitious underlings, and opportunistic rivals—including Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, and Al Capone.
Season 2
It's 1921 and after rigging the Atlantic City mayoral election, Nucky appears to be in control of the city. However, Nucky's grip soon begins to unravel as he is arrested for election fraud and members of both his inner circle and family begin to question their allegiances, while mobsters including Arnold Rothstein, Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Al Capone wait in the wings, looking for the right opportunity to grab a bigger piece of Nucky's pie.
Season 3
Atlantic City, 1922: The Roaring '20s are about to begin in earnest and despite a booming economy, alcohol is scarce and gangster violence is heating up. Amidst this backdrop, Nucky, whose marriage to Margaret has become a sham after she signed away his highway windfall to the church, faces the challenge of mending old relationships while encountering new competition from hair-trigger gangster Gyp Rosetti, who builds a strategic bulkhead between New York and Atlantic City in an effort to siphon off Nucky's alcohol business.
Season 4
Atlantic City, 1924: Nucky is laying low at the end of the Boardwalk after barely surviving an overthrow by gangster Gyp Rosetti. But the calm will be short-lived, as Nucky faces new challenges, including a clash with a violent Harlem power broker, a battle with his brother Eli over Eli's college-age son, and the irresistible lure of lucrative—and perilous—opportunities in Florida.
Season 5
It's 1931 and in stark contrast with the Roaring '20s, the country is now in the throes of the Great Depression. With the end of Prohibition in sight, Nucky looks to legitimize himself by forging alliances with liquor producers.
Episodes
Season 1
Boardwalk Empire
January 1920. On the eve of Prohibition, Atlantic City's Treasurer, Nucky Thompson, condemns alcohol at a Women's Temperance League meeting, where he is noticed by Margaret Schroeder, a pretty, pregnant housewife who comes to him for help in getting her abusive husband Hans a job. Later that evening, the duplicitous Nucky privately tells his ward bosses about the opportunity to make huge profits selling bootleg liquor. At a countdown-to-midnight blast at Babette's Supper Club, he assures Jimmy Darmody, a recently returned WWI vet, that his appointment as "Man Friday" to the new Chief Clerk of the Fourth Ward, Paddy Ryan, will lead to bigger things. Jimmy, meanwhile, has higher aspirations and ends up making an alliance that could have dire consequences for both him and Nucky.
The Ivory Tower
Nucky deals with the fallout from Jimmy's rogue heist, sending Eli to sow the seeds of doubt in the mind of Margaret, who seeks help in the wake of her husband's demise.
Broadway Limited
An unlikely witness to the woods massacre threatens to expose the perpetrators, sending both Eli and Van Alden rushing to the hospital. Margaret starts a new job at an upscale French dress shop at the Ritz, while Chalky's team pays a heavy price for taking over Mickey Doyle's bootleg operation.
Anastasia
In Chicago, Jimmy bonds with one of Johnny Torrio's prostitutes, Pearl, and finds himself increasingly at odds with the hot-headed Al Capone. Back in Atlantic City, Nucky looks to leverage his political relationships with ambitious U.S. Senator Walter Edge and Jersey City Mayor Frank Hague, while Eli and Chalky go to extremes to interrogate a local KKK leader.
Nights in Ballygran
On the day of the annual St. Patrick's Eve dinner, Nucky deals with Eli's oratory ambitions, as well as a group of disenchanted "Leprechauns". Feeling ignored by Nucky, a frustrated Margaret feeds Van Alden information. In Chicago, Jimmy copes with the aftermath of a vicious attack orchestrated by Torrio rival Charlie Sheridan.
Family Limitation
After the brazen robbery of one of his ward bosses, Nucky turns up the heat on Lucky Luciano. An emboldened Margaret stands up to Lucy at the dress shop and accepts an offer from Nucky to change her circumstances. In Chicago, Al's frustration over family issues spills over into his relationship with Jimmy, who scores points with Johnny Torrio for a bold power play involving Sheridan and the neighborhood of Greektown.
Home
After his father Ethan is injured in a fall, Nucky uses the opportunity to refurbish his childhood home. On a double-date with new friend Annabelle and her beaux, Margaret tries to get Nucky to open up about some painful childhood memories. During a visit to an army hospital, Jimmy befriends disfigured vet Richard Harrow, whose sharp eye proves invaluable. Van Alden gets a lead on the woods massacre.
Hold Me in Paradise
Nucky visits Chicago for the Republican National Convention, where he finds himself intrigued by the candidacy of Warren G. Harding over more established candidates. The D'Alessio gang moves in on Nucky's territory at the expense of Eli, who has been watching over his brother's affairs. Margaret finds herself entangled in Nucky's business affairs, while Van Alden struggles with his wife's desire for a child. Rothstein prepares for legal trouble over his role in fixing the 1919 World Series. Nucky asks Jimmy to return to Atlantic City to reinforce his position.
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