HBO Renews Boardwalk Empire, Featuring Broadway's Michael Shannon and Bobby Cannavale

Good news for New York stage actors and their fans: HBO has ordered a fourth season of its Prohibition-era drama Boardwalk Empire, according to The New York Times. Set in Atlantic City in the 1920s, the show is filmed on an elaborate soundstage on the Brooklyn waterfront.

In addition to Emmy-nominated star Steve Buscemi as corrupt politician-turned-gangster Nucky Thompson, Boardwalk Empire's cast is packed with theater vets. The third season, which debuted on September 16, features Grace star Michael Shannon as former government agent Nelson Van Alden, Gretchen Mol (soon to star off-Broadway in The Good Mother) as brothel owner Gillian Darmody, Tony nominee Bobby Cannavale (headed to Broadway on October 16 in Glengarry Glen Ross) as hot-tempered gangster Gyp Rosetti, Tony nominee Michael Stuhlbarg as NYC mob boss Arnold Rothstein and off-Broadway regular Paul Sparks as driver/factotum Mickey Doyle.

Created by Terence Winter, Boardwalk Empire earned Emmy nominations for Outstanding Drama Series in its first two seasons.