The end of Boardwalk Empire is fast approaching on HBO, with the first episode of the fifth and final season coming up on Sunday.

What 'Beautiful' Farewell Did Steve Buscemi Give The Crew Of 'Boardwalk Empire'?

For the cast, for whom production wrapped early this month, it has been an emotional experience.

"Of course, it's sad," claimed actor Steve Buscemi (Nucky Thompson in an interview with CBS News released on Friday. The actor, who has received three Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe win since the show began in 2010, has spent five years exploring his complex, haunted character.

New Chalky White Poster For Final Season Of 'Boardwalk Empire'

"I'm also happy with all the work that we did," continued the HBO star, "And I'm very proud of the work."

The show's final season, which has been reduced to only eight episodes set seven years after the end of season four, will show the impact of The Great Depression, the rise of organized crime, and unique insight into Nucky's past.

"I think this season," noted Buscemi, "Nucky takes a little bit of a look inward."

A number of flashbacks will be included in the new episodes, many of which will show the early years before Nucky's rise to power in Atlantic City.

Nucky is based on real-life NJ gangster Nucky Johnson, who played a critical role in the criminal dealings of Atlantic City during prohibition. It is uncertain, however, whether the fictional Nucky will follow history or forge his own path during the last few episodes.

Boardwalk Empire returns to HBO for its fifth and final season Sunday, September 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

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