‘Boardwalk Empire’ season 4 trailer: Nucky Thompson’s nationwide

From New York to Chicago, life is going to be getting very interesting on “Boardwalk Empire” season 4. Nucky Thompson’s world has expanded over the past few years, and while last year was devoid of the greatness that was Michael Pitt, the writers tried to make up for it with some new villains and a “you can’t be half a gangster” theme that made Steve Buscemi’s character try and figure out just where his heart truly lied: With those he loved, or those that he wanted to control.

Based on this second trailer for the show’s September 8 premiere (check out the first one here), it looks like he is going to be taking his reign across the country. Both Chicago and the Capone family are going to have a larger role, and Harlem will also have its own voice heard.

We’ve asked the following question before, but it does still merit repeating when you are talking about “Boardwalk Empire” and a show with this sort of clout on HBO: Will any of the new twists and new cast members (think Ron Livingston) really matter? One of the biggest struggles that the show has going for it right now is merely a matter of relevancy, and trying to stay in the public eye in a world that now has the likes of “Homeland,” a surging “Game of Thrones,” and another great period drama in “The Americans.” Season 3 was the least-buzzed-about year, and we have not really heard much excitement yet for this fall season save for the diehard fans.

The one move that we definitely do applaud here is that the show opting to start off their next batch of new episodes earlier than the broadcast networks, that way they can steer clear of some of that competition.

Photo: HBO