At the rate "Boardwalk Empire" is going, it may not have any living characters by the end of this season. But HBO is renewing it anyway.
The show, now in its third season, will be back for a fourth, HBO president of programming Michael Lombardo announced Tuesday. The Prohibition-era drama stars Steve Buscemi as Atlantic City power broker Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, who bounces between the underworld and sober society despite his insistence that "you can't be half a gangster." Its executive producers include Martin Scorsese and showrunner Terry Winter.
"Terry Winter, Martin Scorsese and the rest of their outstanding team continue to produce a stunning show that never fails to surprise and entertain," said Lombardo. "We are excited to bring this unique series back for a fourth season."
The second season of the show averaged 8.6 million viewers an episode. The premiere of the current season had 7.2 million and will gain more in additional airings and on-demand.
The show recently one four Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Tim Van Patten), Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series (in a tie with “Game of Thrones”), Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series, and Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role.