HBO's Boardwalk Empire: The Prohibition Masterpiece That Rivals British Crime Drama Excellence
As British viewers seek compelling drama to begin the new year, one American series stands as a testament to the golden age of television that our own broadcasters once dominated. Boardwalk Empire, HBO's critically acclaimed prohibition-era masterpiece, offers the kind of sophisticated storytelling that recalls Britain's finest dramatic traditions.
This five-season tour de force, which ran from 2010 to 2014, has earned universal acclaim from discerning viewers who recognise quality when they see it. The series has garnered numerous perfect 10/10 ratings on IMDb, with one reviewer declaring it simply "brilliant" and "one of the best shows I've ever seen" with "fantastic production" and "incredible attention to detail".
A Return to Proper Television Standards
In an era when British television increasingly panders to the lowest common denominator, Boardwalk Empire represents what quality drama should be. Set in 1920s Atlantic City during America's Prohibition era, the series follows Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson, played with remarkable skill by Steve Buscemi, as he navigates the treacherous waters of politics and organised crime.
The programme's attention to historical detail would satisfy even the most demanding British period drama enthusiasts. Based on real events and the life of Enoch L. Johnson, an actual American politician and mobster, the series demonstrates the kind of rigorous research and authenticity that once defined British broadcasting excellence.
Distinguished Cast and Production Values
The ensemble cast includes several performers familiar to British audiences, including Kelly Macdonald from Trainspotting and Line of Duty, and Stephen Graham, whose work in British productions has earned considerable respect. The late Michael Kenneth Williams from The Wire delivers a particularly memorable performance that showcases the calibre of talent involved.
Most significantly, legendary director Martin Scorsese helmed the pilot episode, marking his return to television after more than two decades. This commitment to excellence resulted in multiple Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe victories, recognition that speaks to the series' exceptional quality.
A Lesson in Storytelling Excellence
Written by Emmy Award-winning Terence Winter, who previously worked on The Sopranos, the series demonstrates how American television temporarily seized the mantle of quality drama from British producers. Winter's adaptation of the non-fiction book "Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City" showcases the kind of literary adaptation that Britain once perfected.
One reviewer praised the series as "without a doubt one of the best gangster shows ever created", promising that every season remains as "addictive" as the last. Another declared it among "the best TV shows of all time", comparing it favourably to Breaking Bad and The Sopranos.
As Scorsese himself noted in 2010, HBO's approach represented "the kind of freedom and ability to create another world and develop longform characters and story" that television had long promised but rarely delivered. This commitment to excellence serves as a reminder of what British television might achieve if it returned to its traditional standards of quality and sophistication.
Boardwalk Empire is currently available for streaming, offering British viewers an opportunity to witness television drama at its finest, crafted with the attention to detail and respect for storytelling that once defined our own broadcasting heritage.