HBO'S EMMY(R)-WINNING DRAMA SERIES "BOARDWALK EMPIRE" TO RETURN FOR EIGHT-EPISODE, FIFTH AND FINAL SEASON SEPT. 7

The Emmy(R)-winning HBO drama series BOARDWALK EMPIRE will return for its eight-episode, fifth and final season Sept. 7, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming.

From Terence Winter, Emmy(R)-winning writer of "The Sopranos" and Academy Award(R)-winning director Martin Scorsese, BOARDWALK EMPIRE is set in the Prohibition era and chronicles the life and times of Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, the undisputed leader of Atlantic City. The first four seasons took place during the 1920s. In the final season, which takes place in the depths of the Depression in 1931, Nucky recalls his Atlantic City roots and plots a post-Prohibition future.

Among the critical raves for the fourth season of BOARDWALK EMPIRE, New York's Daily News said it "remains must-see television drama," while People called it "terrific" and a "gripping spectacle." The Chicago Tribune hailed the show's "achingly good performances," and Variety termed it "one of TV's most compelling dramas."

In Sept. 2013, BOARDWALK EMPIRE received five Emmy(R) Awards, the most of any series, in the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy(R) Awards competition, including Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Bobby Cannavale); Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series; Outstanding Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series; Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour); and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series.

In 2012, the show received four Emmy(R) Awards, including Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Tim Van Patten). In 2011, the series led all programming with eight Emmy(R) Awards, including Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Martin Scorsese). In Jan. 2011, BOARDWALK EMPIRE received two Golden Globe Awards, for Best Television Series - Drama and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama (Steve Buscemi).

In Dec. 2013, the show received three Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, including Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Drama Series, Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (Steve Buscemi). In both 2012 and 2011, the series received two Screen Actors Guild awards, for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (Steve Buscemi).

Season four credits: Created by Terence Winter, BOARDWALK EMPIRE is executive produced by Terence Winter, Martin Scorsese, Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Tim Van Patten and Howard Korder; co-executive producers, Eugene Kelly and Eric Overmyer; consulting producer, Dennis Lehane; producers, Joseph Iberti and Rick Yorn.