HBO’s Boardwalk Empire premiered on September 19, 2010, and concluded on October 26, 2014. Created by Terrence Winter, the show was highly anticipated upon its announcement as Winter was one of the writers for The Sopranos, another critically acclaimed HBO show. Set in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the show follows politician Enoch “Nucky” Thompson, a ruthless man primarily focused on advancing his political career during the Prohibition era of the 1920s and early 1930s. Portrayed by the underrated Steve Buscemi, Nucky Thompson encounters mobsters, law enforcement, politicians, and the common folk who fiscally and morally support his career.
With a staggering twenty Emmy wins under its belt, Empire boasted fifty-six episodes across five seasons, and a significant contribution to the show’s success was its richly developed characters and brilliant portrayals by their respective actors. Even with other heavyweight shows like The Walking Dead, Mad Men, and Breaking Bad running concurrently with Empire, the show’s fan base remained loyal. In this article, we’ll explore some of Boardwalk Empire’s notable characters and update our readers on each respective actor’s career.
21 Ron Livingston as Roy Phillips
Upon the character’s introduction, Roy Phillips poses as a successful businessman from out of town. Moreover, he effortlessly woos Gillian and begins a relationship with her soon after their first encounter. Unbeknownst to Gillian and the audience, Roy is a Pinkerton detective assigned to Atlantic City to prosecute and arrest Gillian for a previous murder.
Ron Livingston’s acting career began in the ’90s, but his role as Peter in Mike Judge’s Office Space is arguably his most recognized character. Since then, he has appeared in notable projects like Adaptation, The Conjuring, Band of Brothers, Sex and the City, American Dad!, and Family Guy. With an upcoming role as Henry Allen in DC’s The Flash, we’re looking forward to Livingston’s next big outing.
20 Anthony Laciura as Edward Anselm “Eddie” Kessler
Eddie Kessler is remembered for being Nucky’s German butler and, to a lesser extent, aide in pressing matters. The dopey servant is as soft-spoken as he is loyal, and despite Nucky’s cruel treatment of him, Eddie always keeps his superior’s best interests in mind. Although his three-season run on Empire was well-received, Anthony Laciura also fancies theater, appearing in companies that have toured worldwide.
19 Dabney Coleman as Commodore Louis Kaestner
Louis “The Commodore” Kaestner is Nucky’s predecessor, mentor, and Jimmy’s father. Wealthy and austere, the Commodore is well-respected by many of Atlantic City’s most prominent and influential residents. The Commodore was one of the show’s most formidable and memorable villains and was loosely based on businessman Louis Kuehnle.
At ninety-one years old, Dabney Coleman is one of Hollywood’s most prolific character actors boasting a six-decade-long career. Coleman’s notable works include Rolling Thunder, Tootsie, Stuart Little, Recess, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and Yellowstone.
18 Ben Rosenfield as Willie Thompson
William “Willie” Thompson is Eli’s eldest son and Nucky’s nephew. Intelligent and hardworking, neither Eli nor Nucky wants Willie to get involved in their business and instead wants him to stay focused on his career aspirations of becoming a lawyer. Despite the negative influences surrounding him and the temptations to stray away from his academics, Willie manages to stay on the right path and successfully pursue a career in law by the series finale.
Having been nominated in 2013 for a Screen Actors Guild Award, Ben Rosenfield is a prolific character actor appearing in various projects in film, television, and theater, with his most recent appearance being in 2023’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
17 Paul Sparks as Mieczyslaw “Mickey Doyle” Kuzik
Mickey Doyle is a Polish gangster who assumed an Irish name because he felt it sounded better than his birth name. As soon as Mickey’s introduced, he’s depicted as being obnoxious and arrogant, with most of the show’s characters disliking his personality. However, despite his off-putting character, Mickey is also proven to be a dangerous man, as seen when he orders the death of one of Chalky’s men via lynching over an unpaid debt.
American actor Paul Sparks played Doyle, and despite the in-universe hate he received, Sparks earned multiple Emmy nominations for his performance. Sparks’ career started in the ’90s with appearances in Law & Order, House of Cards, Mud, and Apple TV+’s Physical. In addition to his film and television work, Sparks is also a theater actor, with his most recent production being 2023’s Grey House.
16 Paz de la Huerta as Lucy Danziger
Lucille “Lucy” Danziger is Nucky’s mistress when we’re introduced to her, and she’s portrayed as a bratty and selfish woman who wants all of Nucky’s time and affection. Early in the series, we learn that Lucy wants to have Nucky’s baby and start a family with him. However, Nucky’s feelings toward Margaret prevent this and thus cause her to have an affair with Van Alden, resulting in the young woman’s pregnancy.
Paz de la Huerta began her career in the late nineties and has since appeared in Law & Order, Eagleheart, and Lana Del Rey’s music video for her song Video Games. De la Huerta rose to prominence with her performance in Empire, as a character who could have simply been an object of Nucky’s desire turned into a resilient woman who stood up for herself. De la Huerta hasn’t been very active in film or television despite her positive reception among fans, but if she does return soon, we’ll be excited to see what she does next.
15 Charlie Cox as Owen Sleater
Owen Sleater is an Irish Republican Army volunteer who’s wanted in Ireland for his involvement in the 1920 Bloody Sunday. Cheeky, charismatic, and formidable in combat, Owen quickly became a fan favorite as he always anticipated his opponent’s moves and prepared for the worst-case scenario. Moreover, as a member of the IRA and Nucky’s bodyguard, Owen’s rivalry with Harrow was one of the show’s more entertaining conflicts.
Charlie Cox began his career in television in 2002 and has consistently starred in or appeared in various dramas, comedies, and action films. With the actor’s brilliant turn as Hell’s Kitchen’s finest lawyer turned vigilante Matthew Murdock/Daredevil in 2015, Cox’s star has gradually risen in the States. The English actor’s ability to convincingly affect various European accents and a New York dialect has impressed critics and fans, and we’re all patiently awaiting his return as The Man Without Fear in 2024.
14 Gretchen Mol as Gillian Darmody
Gillian Darmody is a showgirl, a friend of Nucky’s, and despite her relative youth, Jimmy’s mother. When we meet Gillian, she and Jimmy share a kiss that one would expect a happy couple to share, but things make a little more sense when it is revealed that she had Jimmy in her teenage years. Gillian cares about her son and his family and does everything she can to help and keep him safe. Gretchen Mol debuted in Spike Lee’s 1996 film Girl 6 and has primarily starred in dramas in both film and television since.
13 Vincent Piazza as Charles “Lucky” Luciano
Charles “Lucky” Luciano is a young, hot-blooded gangster who serves as Arnold Rothstein’s right-hand man. His proclivities for arguing and violent outbursts often put him at odds with anyone he encounters, but his temperament especially puts him at odds with Jimmy — another hothead. Lucky’s combative nature eventually puts him at odds with Rothstein, and thus he forges an allyship with Jimmy.
However, Lucky’s learned a lot from his time as Rothstein’s number two and is always thinking ahead — even if it isn’t apparent to those around him. Vincent Piazza is an American actor who started his career in 2006 in the Tilda Swinton film Stephanie Daley. Since then, he’s appeared in Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys, The Sopranos, Law & Order, How I Met Your Mother, and most recently, Tulsa King. Despite Piazza’s boyish looks and amiable demeanor, Piazza excels in Empire as the merciless Lucky Luciano and a part of the reason why could be attributed to his enemies taking him for granted.
12 Aleksa Palladino as Angela Darmody
Angela is Jimmy’s wife and mother to the couple’s son, Tommy. Angela is a compassionate and loving stay-at-home mom who helps keep Jimmy grounded anytime he shows signs of spiraling out of control. Despite her efforts to remain loyal to Jimmy when he was overseas during World War I, Angela had an affair shortly before Jimmy’s return, thinking he’d passed away.
Aleksa Palladino made her film debut in the 1996 dramedy Manny & Lo opposite Scarlett Johansson. Since then, Palladino’s notable appearances include multiple appearances in Law & Order, The Sopranos, and a supporting role in Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman. With no upcoming projects on the actress’ itinerary, we hope to see her on the big or small screen again soon.
11 Jeffrey Wright as Dr. Valentin Narcisse
Based on prominent New York mobster Casper Holstein, Dr. Valentin Narcisse is a philanthropist and self-proclaimed doctor of divinity with plans to take over Atlantic City’s heroin trade. Dr. Narcisse is well-read, cunning, and ambitious in his goals and often deals with Nucky and Chalky to achieve his goals. Despite his amiable persona and proclivities for quoting the Bible, Dr. Narcisse is ruthless and manipulative, quickly going from being a minor inconvenience to Nucky to one of his greatest rivals.
Jeffery Wright is one of Hollywood’s most underrated actors working today. Wright made his film debut in 1990 and has consistently starred in or appeared in quality films ranging from dramas to comedies to superhero adaptations. Some of the Tony Award-winning actor’s performances include Basquiat, the 007 franchise, The Hunger Games franchise, The French Dispatch, The Batman, and the upcoming Asteroid City. With two additional films and a television series slated for a 2023 release, Wright is an actor who remains booked and busy.
10 Jack Huston as Richard Harrow
Richard Harrow is one of television’s most terrifying characters in recent memory. The character is remembered for his shy personality, allegiance to Jimmy, and unique face mask that conceals a gruesome injury on the left side of his face. When Jimmy meets Harrow at a military hospital, we learn he was a sniper during World War I who suffered a near-fatal injury, thus necessitating the face mask. The men bond over their shared trauma from the war, and Harrow soon becomes Jimmy’s right-hand man.
Jack Huston is a British actor and relative of John and Angelica Huston. Having begun his career in 2004, Huston has delivered notable performances in American Hustle, Fargo, The Irishman, and House of Gucci. Huston is also busy with the upcoming film, Unit 234, and the Amazon Prime series Expats.
9 Bobby Cannavale as Gyp Rosetti
Gyp Rosetti is a violent and ruthless Sicilian gangster based in New York City, and while it isn’t explicitly stated, it is implied that he was a capo within the Morello crime family. Well-dressed and intimidating, Gyp’s reputation in the mob community as a loose canon sets him apart from his more composed rivals.
Bobby Cannavale’s performance as Gyp strongly resonated with critics and audiences as the actor won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of the mobster. Cannavale is best known for his leading role in Third Watch as FDNY Paramedic Roberto “Bobby” Caffey and varied his projects starring in Ant-Man, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and The Irishman.
8 Michael Stuhlbarg as Arnold Rothstein
Arnold Rothstein is a multimillionaire and one of the most influential members of the Jewish mob. Taciturn, acute, and always steps ahead of everyone else, Rothstein is someone most people fear despite his unassuming appearance and soft-spoken voice. Based on the real-life Arnold Rothstein, he was known among other gangsters as “The Brain” and was one of the masterminds behind the 1919 World Series fix.
Michael Stuhlbarg attended the prestigious Julliard School, where he earned his BFA in 1992. Since 1998, Stuhlbarg has appeared in A Price Above Rubies, Hugo, Men in Black 3, Lincoln, and Steve Jobs. In addition to his prolific film and television career, Stuhlbarg still seems to love performing in theater, as that’s where fans can expect to see him whenever he isn’t on the big or small screen.
7 Stephen Graham as Al Capone
Alphonse “Al” Capone is one of the most notorious gangsters in American history and one of the most effective mob bosses, despite having a reign of seven years. Known for his sizable donations to charitable organizations and notable public appearances at high-profile events, many citizens living in New York and Chicago viewed Capone as a modern-day Robin Hood. However, Capone’s image would suffer near-irreparable damage after the infamous Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre, a tragic event that would ultimately aid in his arrest.
In Boardwalk Empire, the Italian-American gangster is played by the very English Stephen Graham OBE. Graham began his career in 1990, but it wouldn’t be until starring in Guy Ritchie’s 2000 heist comedy Snatch and Martin Scorsese’s 2002 period drama, Gangs of New York that the actor would rise to prominence. He would follow these films up with the multiple award-winning This Is England before starring alongside Johnny Depp in Public Enemies and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Rocketman, and the Scorsese classic, The Irishman. Graham’s three-decade-spanning career has seen the actor star in comedies, dramas, and action films, and with two new projects scheduled for a possible 2023 release, we’re excited to see what Graham does next.
6 Shea Whigham as Elias “Eli” Thompson
When we meet Elias “Eli” Thompson, he’s Atlantic City’s corrupt Sheriff and Nucky’s younger brother, and as Atlantic City’s sheriff, Eli is intimidating, resourceful, and influential. Similar to Jimmy, Eli yearns for power and respect since he feels most of Atlantic City’s prominent residents merely see him as Nucky’s muscle. Eli’s desire for power drives him more than anything else, and Eli betrays Nucky later in the show when the Commodore makes him a lucrative business offer.
Shea Whigham might not be the most recognizable name in Hollywood, but Whigham is one of the hardest-working character actors in the industry. Whigham keeps himself busy year-round with television appearances in ER, Agent Carter, Justified, Vice Principals, Fargo, Narcos, and Perry Mason. His film credits include Lords of Dogtown, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, American Hustle, The Wolf of Wall Street, Joker, and the upcoming Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Part Two. One of Whigham’s greatest strengths as an actor is the level of authenticity he brings to each role. Whether it be a stern lawman or a dim-witted criminal, Whigham delivers each time, and we’re excited to see what he brings to the Tom Cruise-led Mission: Impossible films.
5 Michael Shannon as Nelson Van Alden/George Mueller
Stoic, dedicated to his job, and determined to bring Nucky down, BIR Agent Nelson Van Alden (later George Mueller) is a fan favorite of Empire. When Alden is introduced to audiences in the show’s pilot, he’s depicted as a stone-faced lawman who takes his job seriously. As the series progresses, Alden becomes disillusioned with the Chicago Outfit, as rampant corruption makes it nearly impossible to move against Nucky. By the show’s final season, Alden eventually murders his corrupt partner and is forced to skip town under an assumed identity.
Michael Shannon’s acting career spans thirty-plus years, with his feature-length debut being the Bill Murray classic Groundhog Day in 1993. Since then, Shannon has appeared in at least two films per year, notable films including Vanilla Sky, 8 Mile, Bad Boys II, Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Mud, 99 Homes, and Man of Steel. Despite Shannon’s austere presence and gravelly voice typically leading to him being cast in villainous roles, he has range, and his two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor reinforce his talent. Even though Man of Steel received a mixed reception upon release, Shannon’s performance as General Zod was a highlight, and with him returning in this year’s The Flash, we’re counting on another exceptional performance from the actor.
4 Michael Kenneth Williams as Albert “Chalky” White
Albert “Chalky” White is one of the most beloved characters in Empire, as he’s charming, resourceful, and fearless. Although Chalky only has one line in the show’s pilot, he captivates the audience’s attention. A respected gangster, Chalky represents many of Atlantic City’s African-American citizens and combats much of the racial injustice that he and members of his community face, all while holding his own against Nucky and even the KKK.
Chalky White was a fan-favorite among critics and audiences, and much of this fanfare was due to the late, great Michael Kenneth Williams. Williams’ career began in the ’90s, choreographing and performing as a dancer in music videos by Kym Sims, George Michael, Crystal Waters, and Madonna. The Emmy-nominated actor’s turn as the trenchcoat-wearing, shotgun-toting Omar Little in David Simon’s The Wire is arguably his most recognized role, and it would lead to him being cast in other acclaimed show shows like Empire, When They See Us, and Lovecraft Country.
3 Michael Pitt as James “Jimmy” Darmody
The result of a love affair between The Commodore and Gillian Darmody, James “Jimmy” Darmody was resourceful, intelligent, and ambitious during his two-season tenure on Empire. A Princeton University dropout, Jimmy opted to serve his country during World War I as he firmly believed that was his true calling. Upon returning to Atlantic City, Jimmy would work for Nucky Thompson as his chauffeur since he viewed the politician as a father figure. However, Jimmy’s ambition eventually spirals out of control, leading to him pulling a risky job with Al Capone behind Nucky’s back and costing him thousands of dollars. Moreover, the tension between the two men eventually leads to a falling out and Jimmy’s premature death, leaving behind a wife and young son. Interestingly, Jimmy’s haircut was so well-received by fans that the demand for it grew exponentially around the time of the character’s death.
Michael Pitt is one of the most talented actors of his generation, having started his career in television at sixteen with a role in the TV crime drama, Dellaventura as the character Babyface. Since then, the actor has appeared in acclaimed shows such as Law & Order, Dawson’s Creek, and Hannibal while also appearing in or starring in films like The Village, Last Days, the Funny Games remake, Seven Psychopaths, and the live-action Ghost in the Shell adaptation. As of this writing, Pitt is busy with four films, either in production or post-production.
2 Kelly Macdonald as Margaret Thompson
When we’re introduced to Irish immigrant Margaret Schroeder, she’s married to Hans Schroeder, a violent and abusive man who beats her whenever he’s in a drunken stupor. Nucky takes a liking to Margaret, and upon discovering this unfortunate situation, Nucky orders his younger brother Eli and his men to murder Hans and make it look like a tragic boating accident. Nucky eventually cares for Margaret and her two children before becoming his mistress and eventual wife. Margaret initially endears audiences as she’s a hardworking woman who, despite life’s challenges, commits to caring for her children.
Kelly Macdonald started her career in the 1996 Danny Boyle classic, Trainspotting as Diane Coulston, an underage girl with a sexual encounter with Renton, the film’s protagonist. Since her feature film debut, Macdonald has appeared in other acclaimed films like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, No Country for Old Men, Brave, and T2: Trainspotting. Macdonald’s role in Empire is one of her most notable, with the performance garnering her a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast. Even though Empire ended nearly a decade ago, Macdonald is keeping busy and in talks to star in a musical with Regina Hall and Sadie Sink soon.