‘Boardwalk Empire’ Ending After Fifth Season

Boardwalk Empire will come to an end after its upcoming fifth season.

Series creator Terence Winter confirmed Thursday that he and HBO have decided to bring the series to a close.

“After much discussion with my creative team and HBO, we’ve decided to wrap the series after such a great run and look forward to bringing it to a powerful and exciting conclusion,” Winter said.

“It has been an incredible honor to bring this powerful and groundbreaking series to our subscribers,” HBO president Michael Lombardo added. “Terry Winter has created one for the ages.”

HBO renewed Boardwalk Empire for a fifth season in September. The fourth season premiered on September 8 to 2.38 million viewers, and was the most-viewed episode of the season. Including the 11 pm replay, the premiere attracted a total audience of 3.2 million viewers.

At the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, the period drama won five awards, the most of any series last year. Since its premiere in September 2010, Boardwalk Empire has received 40 Primetime Emmy nominations, winning 17. The series also won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series (Drama) in 2011, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2011 and 2012.

In October, Terence Winter revealed that James Gandolfini was originally considered for the lead role of Enoch “Nucky” Thompson. They had worked together on The Sopranos, and Winter said Gandolfini was one of the first people talked about for the role.

“Not only had we just worked with him, but he also bore such an uncanny resemblance to the actual Nucky,” he said. However, Winter said Gandolfini was never seriously considered because he had just finished playing Tony Soprano. Martin Scorsese, who directed the $18 million pilot, said he had someone in mind and suggested Steve Buscemi. The role has earned the Brooklyn native two Screen Actors Guild Awards, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama.

Boardwalk Empire will return for its fifth and final season this fall.