American prohibition era gangsters are ruthless.

When there’s a demand for booze during a time when it’s outlawed, the criminal syndicates will shoot, steal and barge their way through to make a buck and dominate the market.

If there’s anything you can learn from Boardwalk Empire, it’s that you should always steer clear of people in slick suits and hats.

The show is loosely based historical figures from prohibition era, blurring the lines between fact and fiction with the likes of Enoch ‘Nucky’ Thompson (based on Atlantic City political boss Enoch L. Johnson) and the notorious, Al Capone. .

With a pilot episode directed by Martin Scorsese, a casting list longer than a giraffe’s neck and a boardwalk set design costing over $5 million, this lavish show created quite the buzz.

A story revolving around gangsters wouldn't be complete without the glitz and glamour that comes with bountiful amounts of money flying around. Brace yourself for sharp suits, glamorous gowns and copious amounts of cursing.

Are your ears sensitive to the F word? You’ll soon acclimatise.

This is certainly not a fairy tale story though. Crime truly doesn’t pay, with blood being spilt on a regular basis, knocking off members of the cast left, right and centre.

Things get particularly messy when you’re trying to run an alcohol smuggling operation under the noses of rival crime bosses, back stabbers and the Prohibition Agency.

Rival enemies try to shoot, garrotte and blow them up as they struggle for territory, fame and fortune. Add in characters who are willing to turn on one another, the heroin trade and a few nut jobs into the equation and you have yourself a party!

With characters like the psychotic Gyp Rosetti causing chaos and the slippery Dr Valentin Narcisse getting under your skin, Nucky and co have their work cut out.

Boardwalk Empire is also responsible for one of the coolest war veteran-come-assassin characters on TV...

Mr Richard Harrow.

Disfigured in the war, donning an expressionless mask to cover the damaged portions of his face; Richard Harrow is one of those characters designed to leave a lasting impression, long after the credits roles.

He steals the show with his mansion killing spree, single handily wiping out a ton of unwelcome gangsters, all to rescue a young boy that he cares about.

As for Stephen Graham’s Al Capone developing story arc, following his uprising from stooge to mob boss...

Perfection.