In the first season of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Nucky Thompson seemed to think that he could be a nice guy who just happened to bootleg liquor and fix elections. But since then, as he’s fought off the Chicago mob, a failed hit, turf wars, and multiple betrayals — including one from his protégé, Jimmy Darmody — he seems to have come around to the fact that when it comes to being the king of Atlantic City, simply dabbling in villainy won’t do. (Spoiler ahoy for those who haven’t caught up.) Thompson ended up killing Jimmy in last season’s finale (his first hands-on murder), and judging by the tagline in this new poster for season three, “You can’t be half a gangster,†Nucky’s more violent approach to business is not temporary. The new season starts September 16.
