USA: Cast and crew hit the red carpet for the premiere of new HBO series "Boardwalk Empire"

Record ID: 219658

  • Title: USA: Cast and crew hit the red carpet for the premiere of new HBO series "Boardwalk Empire"
  • Date: 16th September 2010
  • Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (SEPTEMBER 15, 2010) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) KELLY MACDONALD, ACTRESS PLAYING MARGARET SCHROEDER IN "BOARDWALK EMPIRE," SAYING: "I have always been interested in that period of time. When I think of the twenties, I think of bobs and flappers and we are not quite there yet. It's January 1920 that the show starts, so it's just at the cusps of all that excitement. But it was a great project to be involved in."
  • Embargoed: 1st October 2010 13:00
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  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA7FDBCLS7OH8A1ZG5W7SY9GEK8
  • Story Text: Cast, crew and celebrities came out to see the premiere of HBO's latest series "Boardwalk Empire" on Wednesday (September 15), held at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City.
    According to HBO, "Boardwalk Empire" is the most expensive television production ever. Legendary film director Martin Scorsese heads the production as director and executive producer. Emmy award winning writer of the "Sopranos," Terrence Winter, is also an executive producer.
    It has been over a year since the first shooting day, and Winter, both executive producer and writer of the series, said that he is excited to be at the premiere event.
    "This night felt like it is so far in the future. There were times that I thought I would never ever get here," Winter told Reuters. "And it's great. We are really excited about the show, and thrilled to finally get it on the air. I am very happy to be here," he said.
    "Boardwalk Empire" is set in 1920's Atlantic City, New Jersey at the dawn of Prohibition, when alcohol consumption was nationally banned. Also known as "The World's Playground," Atlantic City was the place where rules didn't apply and rum-runners were abound. The absolute ruler of the town was Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, who was Atlantic City's treasurer -- equal part politician and gangster, and equally comfortable in either role. "Nucky" carved out a niche for himself in the city strategically placing friends and family at key positions.
    Actor Steve Buscemi plays "Nucky" in the series.
    "He is just very human and he is ambitious, and he is used to a certain lifestyle, and he wants to continue that," said Buscemi about his character. "But he also wants to provide for Atlantic City. I think he truly wants to do good for the city, but he is not going above the law."
    Actor Michael Pitt plays James "Jimmy" Darmody, "Nucky's" former protégé and driver, who returns home after fighting in World War I. Pitt said that he prepared himself extensively for his role as Jimmy.
    "I just researched a lot. Over the course of the year, I was reading everything, seeing all the documentaries," Pitt said.
    Kelly Macdonald, who plays one of the lead female roles as "Margaret Schroeder" in the series, said that she is fond of the "Roaring Twenties," when jazz music blossomed and women were redefining their social rights in America.
    "I have always been interested in that period of time," Macdonald said. "When I think of the twenties, I think of bulbs and flappers and we are not quite there yet. It's January 1920 that the show starts, so it's just at the cusps of all that excitement," she added.
    The pilot of the series was directed by Martin Scorsese, who took on the role of executive producer after directing the series' first episode. Actors in "Boardwalk" said that Scorsese was inspiring to work with, bringing extra energy onto the set.
    "He is a professional. He knows what he wants. He is very direct," said Michael Williams, who plays the role of "Chalky White," leader of the city's African-American community in the series.
    With high profile cast and crew members, expectations of the series are high too.
    "I expect it to be perfect because Marty (Martin Scorsese) made it," said Fran Lebowitz, who is an American author.
    P.Diddy, who said he is a fan of HBO dramas, said that "Boardwalk Empire" is a series that he would "want to have TIVO'd (recorded) every Sunday."
    HBO will air "Boardwalk Empire's" pilot episode on Sunday (September 19) in the United States, kicking off its 12-episode season.
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