HBO Orders Scorsese's 'Empire'

HBO is moving forward with Martin Scorsese's "Boardwalk Empire," greenlighting the 1920s-set project to series.

The network has ordered 11 episodes in addition to the pilot and will begin filming the series later this year. It's expected to premiere in 2010.

Scorsese directed the pilot for "Boardwalk" and will be deeply involved in its production, according to HBO sources. He may even direct another episode of the series, which will shoot at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn.

"Boardwalk" is a collaboration between Scorsese, producer Mark Wahlberg ("Entourage") and writer Terence Winter ("The Sopranos"). Steve Buscemi stars as Nucky Thompson, who in the 1920s was the unchallenged king of Atlantic City.

The series, set just as Prohibition was beginning, explores how Thompson ruled as both politician and gangster. Other cast members include Michael Pitt, Kelly Macdonald, Dabney Coleman, Paz de la Huerta and Stpehn Graham as Al Capone.

Executive producers on the project are Scorsese, Winter, Stephen Levinson, Wahlberg and Tim Van Patten. Gene Kelly is co-executive producer, while Rick Yorn and David Coatsworth are producing.