HBO Renews 'Boardwalk Empire' for 3rd Season

According to the Hollywood Reporter, HBO has renewed Boardwalk Empire for a third season.

The popular series, which stars Steve Buscemi, began Season 2 with an audience of 2.9 million viewers last month.  "Boardwalk Empire" has received consistent raves from critics and picked received eight Emmy  awards, including outstanding directing for a drama for Martin Scorsese.

The drama series comes from Terence Winter and Scorsese and takes place during the Prohibition Era.  The plot revolves around Buscemi's character,Nucky Thompson as he reigns over Atlantic City,while confronting fellow mobsters and underhanded politicians who are scheming to receive their own share of the illegal alcohol industry.

Explains HBO programming president Michael Lombardo, "Following a triumphant first season, I was eager to see what Terry Winter, Martin Scorsese and the rest of their stellar team had in store, and they continue to surpass our highest expectations.  The response from the media and our viewers has been extremely gratifying."

In addition to the Emmy Awards, the series earned two Golden Globes Awards for best drama and best actor for Buscemi, as well as SAG honors for its ensemble cast and for Buscemi.

In addition to "Boardwalk Empire", HBO has also recently renewed Game of Thrones, True Blood and Treme. Among the network's upcoming new series are a horse racing drama Luck, Veep, Girls, Life's Too Short and Aaron Sorkin's untitled cable news drama among its upcoming new series.

"Boardwalk Empire" is created by Winter and executive produced by Scorsese, Tim Van Patten, Stephen Levinson and Mark Wahlberg. Gene Kelly and Howard Korder co-exec produce, with Joseph Iberti and Rick Yorn on board as producers.