It's mostly fiction. While 'Boardwalk Empire' is set in a real historical context, like the Prohibition era in Atlantic City, many of the characters and specific storylines are fictional creations of the show's writers. For example, Nucky Thompson is a fictional character who represents the type of powerful, corrupt figures that might have existed during that time.
Mostly fiction. Although 'Boardwalk Empire' draws on historical facts such as the existence of speakeasies and the illegal alcohol trade during Prohibition, the show's main characters and their personal stories are fictional. The show aims to give viewers an idea of what life was like during that era through fictional narratives that are set against a real historical background.