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Equal parts corrupt politician and gangster (and equally comfortable in either role), Nucky Thompson is in the right place at the right time to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the passing of Prohibition. The shrewd and charming Treasurer of Atlantic City is beloved by its people, a consummate glad-hander and back-room dealer who also maintains strict control of the illegal activities running rampant in "The World’s Playground."

A Senior Prohibition Agent with the Department of Internal Revenue, Van Alden approaches his work with the zeal of a man on a mission.  

Based in New York City, Arnold "The Big Bankroll" Rothstein is the biggest gangster in the country. A strategic thinker and consummate gambler, the man who fixed the 1919 World Series never makes a bet he doesn’t know he’ll win.

A recent arrival to Chicago, the young Al Capone learns his trade at the feet of kingpin Johnny Torrio. Hotheaded and impulsive, Capone is quick to take advantage of the myriad opportunities Prohibition presents.

Beautiful and intelligent with a survivor’s spirit, Margaret can hold her own with powerful men, traits that serve her well given her rocky domestic situation.

A survivor of the Great War and an expert marksman, Richard Harrow wears a mask to cover the injury that took half his face. Fellow veteran Jimmy Darmody bonded with the sensitive and self-conscious Harrow when they met in an army hospital in Chicago.  

Harlem-based Dr. Valentin Narcisse is battling Chalky White for supremacy in Atlantic City's Northside. His activism has attracted the attention of J. Edgar Hoover.

A showgirl at the Beaux Arts, single mother Gillian shares a long and complicated history with Nucky, who had agreed to look after her only son.

A hot-headed New York gangster working under Joe Masseria, he becomes dangerously insulted when Nucky refuses to do business with him.

A former Princeton student and combat veteran of the Great War, Nucky’s former protégé Jimmy has returned to Atlantic City a changed man, ready for bigger opportunities and perfectly willing to create them for himself.

Atlantic City’s Sheriff, and not so coincidentally, Nucky’s younger brother. While they’re an effective team in running the city’s corrupt government, a bitter sibling rivalry boils just below the surface.

A businessman with the Piggly Wiggly grocery chain, Roy has come to Atlantic City to expand his company into new markets.

Nucky’s girlfriend, Lucy is a former Ziegfeld Follies girl who gave up a life on the stage to enjoy the finer things that Nucky can provide. With a hair-trigger temper and passionate lust for life, she is more than a handful – even for a man as powerful as Nucky.

A local gangster and Chalky White’s chief rival in the bootlegging business, Doyle’s misguided ambition and lack of strategic thinking puts him on the wrong side of Nucky’s business dealings.

A speakeasy owner in Tampa, Florida, Sally freely mixes business with pleasure when it comes to Nucky Thompson. 

The de facto Mayor of Atlantic City’s African-American community, ex-boxer Chalky White runs a major bootlegging operation for Nucky, a business that puts strains on their already-complicated personal relationship.

An aspiring performer, Billie is independent and fun loving, traits that serve her well both in her career and her relationship with Nucky.

A talented and sexy blues singer, Daughter Maitland is one of the acts brought to the Onyx Club by Dr. Valentin Narcisse.

 Although initially critical of Chalky White's swagger, Dunn Purnsley is now Chalky's right-hand man. His volatile nature can be a help as well as a hindrance for his boss.

Nucky’s mentor, the Commodore controlled Atlantic City before passing the mantle, but the cost of succession took its toll on the deposed king, leaving him more bitter than proud.

Nucky's right-hand, Owen arrived in America as an assassin for Irish revolutionaries. His connections and skills proved to be invaluable to Nucky, just as his charms have been to Margaret.

Atlantic City's newest Prohibition agent, Knox is hoping his proximity to the Thompson Organization will yield substantial rewards.

Eli Thompson's eldest, Willie was exposed to the family business when he came to Nucky's aid during his turf war against Gyp Rossetti. When Willie expressed an interest in his work, Nucky insisted that he put his studies first.

Nucky’s beleaguered "Man Friday," Eddie Kessler is there for Nucky around the clock. A German immigrant, Kessler stands ready to provide whatever Nucky needs, be it a ride, a shoeshine -- or something more nefarious.

Like his business partner and confidant Lucky Luciano, Meyer is a protégé of Arnold Rothstein. Meyer is always on the lookout for opportunities to expand - and protect - his interests.

Jimmy Darmody’s common-law wife Angela got pregnant before Jimmy went off to war and has been raising their son Tommy on her own for three years. With Jimmy’s unexpected return, her dreams of life as a painter are put on hold.

Cast & Characters

See the full list of cast and characters

Steve Buscemi

Michael Shannon

Michael Stuhlbarg

Stephen Graham

Kelly Macdonald

Jack Huston

Jeffrey Wright

Gretchen Mol

Bobby Cannavale

Michael Pitt

Vincent Piazza

Shea Whigham

Ron Livingston

Paz De

Paul Sparks

Patricia Arquette

Michael Kenneth Williams

Meg Chambers Steedle

Margot Bingham

Erik Laray Harvey

Dabney Coleman

Charlie Cox

Brian Geraghty

Ben Rosenfield

Anthony Laciura

Anatol Yusef

Aleksa Palladino

About the Series

Boardwalk Empire (HBO)