Boardwalk Empire poster

TV series

Boardwalk Empire

2010TV-MA5 seasons8.0 / 10

No one goes quietly.

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.

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Where to watch in United States

Checked Sep 2, 2026

Boardwalk Empire is available to stream on HBO (Via Hulu), HBO Max, HBO Max (Via Amazon Prime), and YouTube TV in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play, Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

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.

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

Boardwalk Empire

Sep 19, 20101h 13m7.6 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Martin ScorseseWritten by Terence WinterGuest stars Kevin Carolan, Greg Antonacci, Danny Burstein, Frank Crudele, Dana Ivey, Peter McRobbie, Erik Weiner, Stephen DeRosa

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Episode 2

The Ivory Tower

Sep 26, 201053m7.1 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Tim Van PattenWritten by Terence WinterGuest stars Gretchen Mol, Greg Antonacci, Danny Burstein, Frank Crudele, Peter McRobbie, Erik Weiner, Johnnie Mae, Jordan Gelber

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Episode 3

Broadway Limited

Oct 3, 201052m7.0 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Tim Van PattenWritten by Margaret NagleGuest stars Gretchen Mol, Peter McRobbie, Erik Weiner, Stephen DeRosa, Jordan Gelber, Victor Verhaeghe, William Hill, Robert Clohessy

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Episode 4

Anastasia

Oct 10, 201054m7.0 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Jeremy PodeswaWritten by Lawrence Konner, Margaret NagleGuest stars Gretchen Mol, Greg Antonacci, Tracy Middendorf, Victor Verhaeghe, John Rue, William Hill, Robert Clohessy, Edward McGinty

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Episode 5

Nights in Ballygran

Oct 17, 201054m7.0 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Alan TaylorWritten by Lawrence KonnerGuest stars Gretchen Mol, Greg Antonacci, Dana Ivey, Erik Weiner, Victor Verhaeghe, John Rue, William Hill, Robert Clohessy

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Episode 6

Family Limitation

Oct 24, 20101h7.0 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Tim Van PattenWritten by Howard KorderGuest stars Gretchen Mol, Greg Antonacci, Dana Ivey, Peter McRobbie, Erik Weiner, William Hill, Lucy Gallina, Josie Gallina

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Episode 7

Home

Oct 31, 201053m7.0 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Allen CoulterWritten by Paul SimmsGuest stars Jack Huston, Erik Weiner, Johnnie Mae, Chase Coleman, Victor Verhaeghe, Lucy Gallina, Josie Gallina, Declan McTigue

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Episode 8

Hold Me in Paradise

Nov 7, 201050m6.8 / 10

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.

Episode credits

Directed by Brian KirkWritten by Meg JacksonGuest stars Jack Huston, Gretchen Mol, Greg Antonacci, Danny Burstein, Victor Verhaeghe, William Hill, Robert Clohessy, Edward McGinty

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Episode 9

Belle Femme

Nov 14, 201053m6.8 / 10

Nucky is forced to readjust his political alliances with a Democratic mayoral candidate promising to wipe out corruption. Jimmy returns from Chicago to deal with the D'Alessio gang, which has allied with Rothstein to import European scotch through Atlantic City, but is arrested by Agent Van Alden for the massacre in the woods. Margaret intercedes with Nucky on Madame Jeunet's behalf, while Angela finds her romantic and artistic ambitions halted by Jimmy's return.

Episode credits

Directed by Brad AndersonWritten by Steve KornackiGuest stars Gretchen Mol, Danny Burstein, Peter McRobbie, Erik Weiner, Johnnie Mae, Chase Coleman, Tracy Middendorf, John Rue

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Episode 10

The Emerald City

Nov 21, 201059m7.2 / 10

Nucky asks for Margaret's assistance in backing his mayoral candidate with the passage of women's right to vote, leaving her conflicted about her role. Doyle switches sides back from Rothstein, which leads Nucky to conspire with Chalky against Lansky and the D'Alessios. Angela witnesses Jimmy's violent side against her photographer friend, and considers leaving Atlantic City for good in the aftermath. Van Alden grapples with his emotions, and has encounters with both Margaret and Lucy.

Episode credits

Directed by Simon Cellan JonesWritten by Lawrence KonnerGuest stars Jack Huston, Greg Antonacci, Dana Ivey, Peter McRobbie, Erik Weiner, John Rue, William Hill, Robert Clohessy

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Episode 11

Paris Green

Nov 28, 201057m7.5 / 10

Nucky has emotionally charged conversations with both Margaret and Eli over his business and the killing of Margaret's husband. Jimmy meets with his dying father for the first time in years. Van Alden and Agent Sebso's working relationship is pushed to the limit by Van Alden's suspicions. Angela prepares to flee from Jimmy to Paris.

Episode credits

Directed by Allen CoulterWritten by Howard KorderGuest stars Jack Huston, Gretchen Mol, Erik Weiner, Johnnie Mae, Victor Verhaeghe, William Hill, Robert Clohessy, Edward McGinty

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Episode 12

A Return to Normalcy

Dec 5, 20101h 1m7.0 / 10finale

Nucky faces Election Day in Atlantic City and pulls out all the stops to keep power in Republican hands. Torrio brokers a discussion between Nucky and Rothstein to resolve their growing gang war, as well as Rothstein's looming federal indictment over the World Series. Both Jimmy and Eli voice their growing resentment towards Nucky, and find they have an ally in the Commodore. Van Alden seeks a sign on whether or not to leave Atlantic City, but receives unexpected news from Lucy. Margaret weighs new information about Nucky's first marriage and her uncertain future to make a final decision on her role in his life.

Episode credits

Directed by Tim Van PattenWritten by Terence WinterGuest stars Jack Huston, Gretchen Mol, Greg Antonacci, Peter McRobbie, Stephen DeRosa, Johnnie Mae, Tracy Middendorf, Victor Verhaeghe

Where to watch Boardwalk Empire

Episode information updated Sep 19, 2026

More about Boardwalk Empire

Watch trailerBoardwalk Empire: Season 1 DVD Trailer (HBO)

Cast

Steve BuscemiEnoch 'Nucky' Thompson

Kelly MacdonaldMargaret Thompson

Michael ShannonNelson Van Alden

Shea WhighamElias 'Eli' Thompson

Michael StuhlbargArnold Rothstein

Aleksa PalladinoAngela Darmody

Stephen GrahamAl Capone

Vincent PiazzaCharles 'Lucky' Luciano

Credits

Created by: Terence Winter
Written by: David Flebotte, Howard Korder, Terence Winter, Steve Kornacki, Cristine Chambers, Lawrence Konner, David Matthews, Margaret Nagle, Dennis Lehane, Eric Overmyer, Andrew Schneider, Diane Frolov, David Stenn, Rolin Jones, Steve Turner

Production details

Status: Ended
Series type: Scripted
Episodes: 56
Original language: English

Networks & production

HBOUnited States
Closest to the Hole ProductionsUnited States
Sikelia ProductionsUnited States
Leverage EntertainmentUnited States
Cold Front ProductionsUnited States
HBOUnited States

Themes

1920samerican historyatlantic citybootleggingbordellocorrupt businessmancorrupt police officialscostume drama

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