HBO's eagerly anticipated Boardwalk Empire has been given a debut date: September 19th at 9:00pm.  Created by Terrence Winter (The Sopranos), the show is produced (and its pilot episode directed by) Martin Scorsese, and stars Steve Buscemi as the Treasurer of 1920's Atlantic City, Nucky Thompson.  Nucky is half politician and half gangster, ruling over the seaside town known for its relaxing beaches, Broadway-quality revues, boardwalk amusements and Prohibition-defying nightclubs and speakeasies.  With his brother Elias (played by Shea Whigham), the town sheriff, Nucky has his hands in all of the above.  Trouble for Nucky's reign arrives in the guise of his former driver Jimmy (Michael Pitt), who is looking to regain his place in Nucky's crew after World War I, and Federal Agent Van Alden (Michael Shannon), who is investigating Nucky's bootlegging and other illegal operations.  Also starring are Gretchen Mol, Michael K. Williams, Dabney Coleman, and Paz de la Huerta.  Boardwalk Empire is written by Terrence Winter, Tim Van Patten, Lawrence Konner, Margaret Nagle, amongst others.

I have only seen the promos for Boardwalk Empire, but it looks absolutely fantastic.  I'm a big Buscemi fan, as well as a number of the other actors appearing in the show (namely, Michael K. Williams who played Omar to perfection on The Wire), so I can't wait for this show.  Plus, the production level will be very high on this series, if evidenced by the fact that the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk was built from scratch out in Brooklyn.  There is some muscle behind this series -- I'm sure it won't disappoint.

What do you think about the prospects for Boardwalk Empire?  Will you be watching?  Are you a fan of any of these actors?  What do you think about Scorsese being attached?  Please leave your comments below or in the Discussion Forums.  When there is more news on Boardwalk Empire any of your other favorite shows, you know where to find it: TVOvermind!

(Source: HitFix)