When Boardwalk Empire arrived on the scene in September 2010, it was expected to be a ratings hit for HBO. With Martin Scorsese directing the pilot, former The Sopranos writer Terence Winter scripting, longtime actor Steve Buscemi as the star, and a gangland setting in the 1920s, Boardwalk Empire had a lot going for it. The premiere episode had about 5 million live viewers. By the time the season finale rolled around, the ratings would be around 3 million. Currently, during its last season, Boardwalk Empire, averages around 2 million live viewers per episode.