Never one to shy away from putting gangland dramas on film, Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese is now bringing an underworld story to television as executive producer of upcoming HBO series “Boardwalk Empire”. The filmmaker said he had been eyeing the opportunity to work on an HBO series for years. “A number of the episodes, in so many of their (HBO's) series, they're thoughtful, intelligent, brilliantly put together. It's a new opportunity for storytelling,” he told reporters Saturday at a presentation of upcoming HBO shows. Scorsese worked alongside “The Sopranos” writer Terence Winter to direct the pilot episode of “Boardwalk Empire.” “Boardwalk Empire” is based on a nonfiction book by Nelson Johnson, chronicling the life of Enoch “Nucky” Johnson, played by Steve Buscemi. It is set in New Jersey's Atlantic City during the 1920s, just as World War One ended. Equal parts corrupt politician and gangster, Nucky is Atlantic City's treasurer, which puts him in perfect position to capitalize on the opportunity to traffic in illegal, bootlegged booze. But Nucky is both bad guy, and good, as he also helps a woman with her estranged and abusive husband. The first season of “Boardwalk Empire” premieres on Sunday, Sept. 19.
