14 DAY TRIAL // The premium cable network HBO has made the announcement that it will be dropping the award-winning period drama “Boardwalk Empire” after its fifth season. The fifth and final season is going to be released this fall.
The announcement was made at the press tour for the Television Critics Association on January 9, where it was also announced that the hit series “Game of Thrones” will debut on Sunday, April 6.
Speaking on this surprise decision to end “Boardwalk Empire,” Michael Lombardo, head of programming at HBO said that, “It has been an incredible honor to bring this powerful and groundbreaking series to our subscribers. Terry Winter [creator of the series] has created one for the ages.”
Terry Winter confessed that the decision for a fifth and final series hasn't come easily: “We're thrilled to get the go-ahead for a fifth season of 'Boardwalk Empire'. After much discussion with my creative team and HBO, we've decided to wrap up the series after such a great run and look forward to bringing it to a powerful and exciting conclusion.”
Fans of the series will definitely not be happy with this decision as the show was getting constant solid ratings.
During its run, the gangster-inspired drama has won numerous awards and received critical acclaim, as well as a Golden Globe for best drama back in 2011.
As far as ratings go, it's only rivaled by “Game of Thrones,” coming in ahead of other popular series such as “True Blood.” The decision to pull the plug comes from the directors of the show, after some slightly decreasing numbers in viewers for the fourth season but also after the show was snubbed at the 2013 Emmys.
The final series and the promised spectacular finale featuring gangster and bootlegger “Nucky” Thompson, played by Steve Buscemi, will be airing this fall.