HBO has wasted no time in renewing its prohibition drama Boardwalk Empire just three weeks into its fourth season run.  While the show has had its ups and downs, it remains a strong anchor for HBO's fall lineup, and continues to provide the premium network with award winners.  (Most recently, Bobby Cannavale won the Best Supporting Actor Emmy for his turn as last season's thin-skinned gangster Gyp Rosetti).  Hit the jump for more.

According to THR, the show has been renewed for a fifth season, a quick move which is likely thanks to that Emmy win.  Meanwhile, the current season is off to a strong start, and continues to improve itself with an influx of new talent -- Ron LivingstonPatricia Arquette and Jeffrey Wright have all joined the cast to help liven things up.

The series' biggest ongoing struggle though will be making lead character Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi) compelling again, and part of that might be narrowing its focus back to the show's roots in Atlantic City.  For now though, viewers are likely to be satiated with the great turns that unlikely hero Richard Harrow (Jack Huston) -- the war veteran and hit man with half a face -- has been taking.  But he'd better watch his back -- the show is notorious for offing characters who challenge Nucky's popularity ...

Boardwalk Empire airs Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on HBO.

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