Scorcese spends USD 50 million on TV drama`s first episode

London: Academy Award winning filmmaker Martin Scorcese has spent a whopping USD 50 million on just the pilot episode of his ambitious new TV series `Boardwalk Empire`.

The `Raging Bull` director is helming the period drama, which tells the story of politician Enoch `Nucky` Thompson, played by Steve Buscemi, in Atlantic City during the 1920`s prohibition. The show, which will premieres on HBO in September, will mark a long-awaited return to the small-screen for the renowned director. And the producers have spared no costs to get the details right, reported Daily Mail online. For the show, a 300ft boardwalk was created in an empty car park in Brooklyn, New York, complete with bars, restaurants and a salt taffy shop. But spending such a huge amount of money making the series has already paid off for HBO, as it has already become their best-selling series internationally and the rights have been licensed to 160 countries. PTI