Boardwalk Empire Season 5 Release Date: Final Season Of HBO Drama Starring Steve Buscemi Announced; Last Episode Promises To Be 'Unforgiving'

Many consider the previous season of this show its best one to date -- and that's saying a lot for a series that has been consistently great. And the next one promises to be even better. According to the showrunner of the show, Terrence Winter (the man behind the excellent film The Wolf of Wall Street) the next season of Boardwalk Empire will be its last.

This was made known to at the Television Critics Association panel that happened earlier this year. Winter has confirmed that Boardwalk Empire's final season 5 release date will be on September 7 this year.

The series, starring Steve Buscemi is another hit HBO drama that is set in the 1920s.It takes place in Atlantic City, New Jersey during the time of the Prohibition and is based on the book "Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City" by author Nelson Johnson. Its premiere episode was famously helmed by Martin Scorsese. The series has since earned several nominations, including Emmy recogition for Outstanding Drama Series, and Screen Actors Guild nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble.

"It has been an incredible honor to bring this powerful and groundbreaking series to our subscribers. Terry Winter has created one for the ages," Michael Lombardo, HBO president of programming shared during the TCA panel.

While no specifics were given as to why Boardwalk Empire's season 5 will be its concluding one, there are speculations that it is because of poor ratings. Although the show is as excellent as ever, it is eclipsed by the popularity of such HBO hits as "Game of Thrones" and "True Blood."

In any case, fans are all excited for the news of Boardwalk Empire's season 5 release date, and even more looking forward to the final season given that the just-released trailer looks quite promising.

According to HBO, Boardwalk Empire's final season 5 will be composed of eight episode. The finale one  has been described as "unforgiving." As to what this means, we'll just have to wait for September 7 to find out.