> At a Glance
> – Shea Whigham told News Of Los Angeles at the Death by Lightning NYC premiere he forged “deep friendships” on Boardwalk Empire
> – He remains “very tight” with Steve Buscemi and Michael Shannon, and calls director Tim Van Patten “one of my closest friends”
> – The HBO crime drama ran five seasons (2010-2014); Whigham played Elias “Eli” Thompson
> – Why it matters: Fans get a rare update on the enduring off-screen bonds behind one of TV’s most acclaimed ensembles
A decade after Boardwalk Empire ended, Shea Whigham says the Prohibition-era drama gave him far more than a résumé credit-it gave him lifelong friends.
Lasting Bonds From Atlantic City
Speaking on the red carpet for Netflix’s Death by Lightning, Whigham recalled the HBO experience warmly. “These are not just jobs. You walk away with deep friendships because of the work,” he emphasized.
Key connections he still treasures:
- Steve Buscemi – on-screen brother, off-screen “very tight” pal
- Michael Shannon – former co-star and frequent collaborator
- Tim Van Patten – director/exec-producer turned “one of my closest friends”
Whigham portrayed Elias “Eli” Thompson throughout the show’s entire 2010-2014 run, standing beside Buscemi’s Nucky Johnson in the power struggles of Atlantic City.
Reuniting For Death by Lightning
History repeats as Whigham and Shannon share the screen once more. In Netflix’s limited series about President Garfield’s assassination:
- Michael Shannon plays President James A. Garfield
- Shea Whigham portrays Republican powerbroker Roscoe Conkling
The duo previously teamed in Take Shelter (2011) and The Quarry (2020), building a rapport Whigham clearly values.
New Friends, Same Respect
Whigham also praised the Death by Lightning ensemble, singling out Nick Offerman. The two became “very good friends” during filming.
> “It seems like he has a very bright future in this business. I think it’s gonna work out for him. It’s not that he’s funny. It’s the handsomeness that I think is gonna work out for him.”
The cast includes Matthew Macfadyen, Bradley Whitford, and Betty Gilpin, rounding out a lineup Whigham clearly enjoyed.
Key Takeaways
- Boardwalk Empire camaraderie lives on: Whigham remains close with Buscemi, Shannon, and Van Patten
- The actor values on-set relationships as highly as the roles themselves
- Whigham and Shannon continue their collaborative streak in Death by Lightning, now streaming on Netflix
From Atlantic City boardwalks to 1880s Washington, Whigham keeps turning intense shoots into enduring friendships.
