It’s been over five years since Terence Winter’s Boardwalk Empire aired its final episode, and the crime-drama set in prohibition-era Atlantic City has left audience viewers craving more action from characters the likes of Nucky Thompson. Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson was the no-nonsense protagonist of Boardwalk Empire who easily fit into the category of “anti-hero” that television audiences have quickly grown fond of.
But while the notorious crime-boss of Atlantic City might not be around to give us any more episodes, there are still a few shows out there that resemble the same format as the east-coast gangster-drama. Take a look at our list of 10 shows to check out in case you miss Nucky and his associates.
Game of Thrones (2011 - 2019)
There might not have been any actual ’thrones’ in Boardwalk Empire but the show was nothing more than a race to be the ‘King’ of Atlantic-City’s bootlegging operations between Nucky and his rivals so we think the glove fits pretty well.
The main premise to Game of Thrones (until the creators butchered it) was the quest for the Iron Throne among the many families that the world of Westeros centers around. Several different families fighting for the reign of the land? Sounds like a gangster premise to us - just with a bit more swords and dragons thrown in.
Narcos (2015 - 2017)
Narcos was a television show produced by Netflix that followed the life and crimes of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar told through the perspective of a DEA agent working in Colombia. The entire show depicts how the famous coke-manufacturer got his start and built his reputation by moving illegal products throughout Colombia during a time when it was strictly forbidden to do so.
This all lead to Escobar becoming an immensely wealthy man, and Nucky Thompson’s fortune was made, more or less, in the same fashion. If Escobar’s actions don’t mimic a gangster-boss living in Prohibition Era times then we don’t know what does.
Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013)
One of the main elements to Nucky Thompson’s run as bootleg King of Atlantic City was the fact that he hid in plain sight as the treasurer of the city, often being praised by the residents and occupants because of his seemingly generous nature. When it comes to illegal-product kingpins hiding in plain sight, nobody did it better than Walter White.
Breaking Bad follows the story of a high-school chemistry teacher who develops lung cancer and decides to start pushing copious amounts of crystal meth to make sure his family has enough money to be taken care of. Illegal products and less-than-obvious, anti-hero protagonists? Pretty similar.
Ray Donovan (2013 - )
Ray Donovan and Nucky Thompson might not be identical protagonists, but it’s safe to say that they both knew how to get things done. Nucky Thompson knew how to handle his bootlegging business as well as his political stature - a person can’t really be successful in the gangster lifestyle if they choose to be soft when handling any issues that come their way.
Ray Donovan, the titular character, is very much the same in that the entire show centers around the “fixer” who takes care of any problems that the high-profile and elite members of society might have. If anything, Ray could be considered a close representation of Nucky’s brother, Eli.
Sons of Anarchy (2008 - 2014)
Did we mention that a lot of these shows are going to be on this list because they’re centered around the movement and distribution of some sort of illegal good? Sons of Anarchy is no exception as the crime-drama focuses on a gang of bikers residing in the fictional town of Charming, California and how they secretly manufacture and sell guns.
The series contains several seasons and each one has different plot points that run parallel with one another, however, the illegal operations of the gang wearing down its protagonist, Jax Teller, is the focal point of it all. Nucky could definitely sympathize with Jax’s plight.
Justified (2010 - 2015)
Cards on the table - Justified and Boardwalk Empire have very little in common when it comes to the premises of the two shows. That being said, shows don’t have to share similar premises for audiences to enjoy them, especially if the two shows in question are still part of the same genre.
Justified is certainly a crime-drama, but it follows the law from the other side as the protagonist is Deputy Raylan Givens, a quick-trigger U.S. Marshall who must confront a past he thought he had left behind. It’s not exactly a crime boss fighting for his turf, but the show is non-stop action and that’s what Boardwalk Empire was all about.
The Sopranos (1999 - 2007)
Illegal products - check. Mob bosses - check. Set in New Jersey - check. There aren’t too many more similarities that one could ask for when it comes to Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos. Essentially, the only real core difference between the two is that one is set in the 1920s-1930s and the other is set in the 1990s-2000s.
Tony Soprano, the protagonist to one of television’s most successful shows, was a man who hid in plain sight while operating the largest mob-family in all of New Jersey. Nucky’s position may have been more high-standing than Tony’s, but we’re betting the two walked in virtually the same shoes.
Deadwood (2004 - 2006)
The Prohibition Era has often been described as one of the most lawless times in modern American history, with illegal activity and crime-families popping up all over the country - it was a time to eat, or be eaten. Welcome to the world of Deadwood, a show based in the late 1800s following the events of a settlement in South Dakota as it slowly makes the transition into an established town.
At the very beginning of the show, the Deadwood settlement isn’t part of any U.S. state or territory, therefore, making it a place just like the Prohibition Era where residents were forced to eat or be eaten. It was a win all, take all type of lifestyle - just like what Nucky lived in.
Peaky Blinders (2013 - 2019)
It is highly recommended that all fans of Boardwalk Empire watch this show - by order of the Peaky f****** Blinders! It’s actually a real shame that Nucky Thompson and company aren’t around anymore because the two shows take place during the same era and an elaborate crossover could’ve definitely been worked out.
Right across the pond, Peaky Blinders follows Thomas Shelby, a renowned Great War hero who returns to Birmingham, England as the leader of his family’s notorious razor-gang. Thomas is a character with limitless ambition who understands that real money is made in legitimate businesses and tries to get his crime-family to go straight - he just doesn’t mind using some illegitimate means to get there.
Boardwalk Empire (2010 - 2014)
This may seem like a joke or a cop-out, but in all actuality, we’re really serious - if audiences miss Boardwalk Empire than they should go back and watch it again! Other than Ray Donovan and Peaky Blinders, every show on this list has also already reached its conclusion and that means that if we can suggest for audiences to watch those shows, we can certainly suggest for them to go back and watch the show that they ultimately enjoyed, and miss, in the first place.
Not to mention that nearly all of these shows are available on some sort of streaming service where fans can watch them as many times as they want. Boardwalk Empire was a highly renowned and amazing show - honestly, nothing should stop you from going back and re-watching it if you miss it.
