MUMBAI: Martin Scorsese is going to direct the pilot of HBO‘s series Boardwalk Empire. The cable network is to make eleven episodes of the period drama including the pilot.

Written by Terence Winter, Empire is set in 1920 and chronicles the life and times of Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), the undisputed ruler of Atlantic City, who was part politician and part gangster.Scorsese is expected to remain creatively involved in the show and might direct another episode, subject to his availability.

The shooting of the series is due to begin this fall and will have a 2010 premiere.

In addition to Buscemi, the cast of the pilot includes Michael Pitt, Kelly MacDonald, Michael Shannon, Stephen Graham, Vincent Piazza, Aleksa Palladino, Paul Sparks, Shea Whigham, Anthony Laciura and Michael Kenneth.