Buscemi plays Nucky Thompson, the corrupt treasurer of the city, and puts on a cynical yet humorous performance throughout as a wheeling and dealing politician who gives out illegal favors, mainly dealing in booze and gambling.
Buscemi, who's won acclaim for many of the film roles he's played in, especially in Ghost World and Reservoir Dogs, plays the Thompson character, who is actually based on a real person named Enoch Johnson.
The premise of the show is based on a book of the same name written by Nelson Johnson, and the pilot takes place the day prohibition was signed into law in 1920.
Boardwalk's atmosphere is reminiscent of what Scorsese created in Gangs of New York, with the same flair and lavishness.
Terrence Winter, who was on the writing staff of The Sopranos, is one of the co-executive producers. Scorsese is the other.
Reports say that Scorsese will probably not direct every single episode but will have a hand in the overall creative direction of the show.
Reviews for the show so far have been positive. Metacritic.com, a review aggregate site, has scored Boardwalk Empire an 88 out of a possible 100 and said that the show is receiving "universal acclaim."
David Hinckley of the New York Daily News gave it five stars, saying those who watch the upcoming season will be "rewarded with the best new show on television this fall."
