Boardwalk Empire to end this year
- Published
Steve Buscemi stars as corrupt Atlantic City politician-turned gangster Nucky Thompson
US Prohibition-era drama Boardwalk Empire is to end after its upcoming fifth season, HBO has announced.
The decision comes three months after the cable network renewed the show for a fifth outing.
"We've decided to wrap up the series after such a great run and look forward to bringing it to a powerful and exciting conclusion," creator Terry Winter said.
The show, starring Steve Buscemi, is shown on Sky Atlantic in the UK.
The show has won 17 Emmys since it first aired, including Martin Scorsese winning for his direction of the series' big budget pilot that premiered in 2010.
"It has been an incredible honour to bring this powerful and groundbreaking series to our subscribers," HBO programming president Michael Lombardo said.
"Terry Winter has created one for the ages."
The fifth series will return to US TV screens in the autumn.
Meanwhile, fellow HBO show Girls has been renewed for a fourth season, before the third series has even aired.
Although it has received modest ratings in the US, it has gone on to become cult viewing.
The Lena Dunham-created series, which also airs on Sky Atlantic, is scheduled to film in the summer and be screened in 2015.