Director Martin Scorsese made the leap from movies to the television medium. For years now he’s been wanting to be involved with a television show because of the character development and long story arcs, explained Scorsese.

He’ll be attached to the new series Boardwalk Empire, created by Terence Winter and starring Steve Buscemi. The premise will deal with Prohibition; with crime figures such as Capone and Luciano. The period drama’s first episode will be directed by Scorsese, and he’s made it vocal that he’s interested in directing more episodes.

A period piece on organized crime drama starring Steve Buscemi — and with Martin Scorsese attached? That’s enough reason to watch the new HBO series.