WatchTree Recommendations
What to Watch After Boardwalk Empire
From Atlantic City to the Next Crime Frontier: Four Must‑Watch Picks
If you’re hooked on the opulent crime saga of Boardwalk Empire, you’ll want to explore four titles that each spin the genre in a distinct direction. From the sleek, contemporary heist drama of Your Friends & Neighbors, to the laugh‑filled precinct antics of Brooklyn Nine‑Nine, the darkly poetic anthology of Fargo, and the gritty, institutional power struggle of City on a Hill, these picks cover the spectrum of modern crime storytelling while staying true to the themes of corruption, ambition, and moral complexity that made Boardwalk Empire a classic.
Together they form a curated mixtape for the crime‑drama aficionado: a fresh, high‑stakes series that feels like the next logical step; a beloved comedy that lets you unwind without losing the law‑breaker’s edge; a critically praised anthology that deepens the moral questions of power and violence; and a timeless, gritty drama that proves the battle between law and crime never loses its relevance. Whether you crave new intrigue, a good laugh, or a deeper dive into the shadows of American history, this quartet delivers the perfect follow‑up to Nucky Thompson’s empire.
Why these shows are similar to Boardwalk Empire
Atlantic City at the dawn of Prohibition is a place where the rules don't apply. And the man who runs things -- legally and otherwise -- is the town's treasurer, Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, who is equal parts politician and gangster.
These recommendations branch out from Boardwalk Empire with similar tone, themes, genre elements, or audience appeal.
Your Friends & Neighbors
TV • 2025
drama • crime
Why Watch Next
Your Friends & Neighbors offers a fresh, contemporary take on the high‑stakes crime world, echoing Boardwalk Empire’s blend of power, betrayal, and the allure of wealth, making it a perfect pick for fans craving new, edge‑cutting storytelling.
Overview
When a financial titan suddenly finds himself divorced and jobless, he starts robbing his wealthy neighbors to stay afloat. Stealing from his own social circle strangely exhilarates him—but he gradually gets tangled in a deadly web.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
TV • 2013
comedy • crime
Why Watch Next
Brooklyn Nine‑Nine delivers the same criminal backdrop with a light‑hearted twist, providing a beloved, audience‑approved escape that balances witty humor with police intrigue, appealing to viewers who love the genre but want a palate cleanser.
Overview
A single-camera ensemble comedy following the lives of an eclectic group of detectives in a New York precinct, including one slacker who is forced to shape up when he gets a new boss.
Fargo
TV • 2014
crime • drama
Why Watch Next
Fargo mirrors Boardwalk Empire’s moral ambiguity and period‑driven tension, presenting a critically lauded anthology where ordinary people confront violent crime, satisfying fans of gritty, character‑driven narratives.
Overview
A close-knit anthology series dealing with stories involving malice, violence and murder based in and around Minnesota.
City on a Hill
TV • 2019
crime • drama
Why Watch Next
City on a Hill captures the same corrupt‑politics vibe of Boardwalk Empire, set in a different era and city, offering a solid, audience‑approved drama that delves into institutional corruption and uneasy alliances.
Overview
In early 90s Boston, an African-American District Attorney comes in from Brooklyn advocating change and forms an unlikely alliance with a corrupt yet venerated FBI veteran invested in maintaining the status quo. Together they take on a family of armored car robbers from Charlestown in a case that grows to encompass and eventually upend Boston’s city-wide criminal justice system.
More shows and movies featuring actors from Boardwalk Empire
Looking for familiar faces? These picks include performers connected to Boardwalk Empire.
Giri/Haji
TV • 2019
Why It’s Relevant
This gritty crime drama shares Boardwalk Empire’s underworld intrigue and period tension, offering a similarly dark tone with complex family loyalties.
