The Hollywood Reporter reports that Michael Pitt is in final negotiations to star opposite Steve Buscemi in Boardwalk Empire, an upcoming HBO drama.

The series is based on Nelson Johnson’s book that chronicles the 1920s origins of Atlantic City. It will center on Nucky Johnson (played by Buscemi), a businessman who runs a liquor distribution ring at the onset of Prohibition. Pitt plays Jimmy Darmody, a young WWI veteran, a low-level flunky for Nucky who wants to quickly climb to the top.

The pilot is being helmed by famed director Martin Scorsese, who is also serving as executive producer with Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Winter.