‘Boardwalk Empire’ Season 4 Taps Jeffrey Wright to Shake Up Harlem

Ah, we couldn't resist. 'Boardwalk Empire' has made some major castings as the acclaimed HBO drama prepares to go before cameras for its fourth season, due in fall 2013, but its latest could be 'Catching Fire.' New reports reveal that upcoming 'The Hunger Games' star and former James Bond player Jeffrey Wright will return to his HBO roots for 'Boardwalk Empire' season 4 as a series regular, but what about his new role will have Harlem talking?

'Boardwalk Empire' season 4 has cast a number of HBO veterans to join its cast, but the latest could be its highest profile to date. Deadline reports that upcoming 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' star Jeffrey Wright has made a firm commitment as a series regular for the HBO period drama's fourth season, taking the role of an educated Harlem leader.

According to the outline, Wright will play a man named Valentin Narcisse, Doctor of Divinity, philanthropist, student of culture and the man who apparently runs Harlem. Having previously appeared in HBO's 'Boycott' and 'Angels in America,' Wright joins a season that thus far includes 'True Blood' star Brian Geraghty, Ron Livingston as a new regular role, and HBO vet Domenick Lombardozzi as Chicago mobster Ralph Capone, elder brother to Al Capone (Stephen Graham). Recent casting reports suggested that historical figure J. Edgar Hoover might have a recurring presence in the season, but thus far no casting has been announced.

Series creator and show-runner Terence Winter told reporters that ‘Boardwalk Empire’ season 4 would see a bit of a time jump into 1924, often seen as the year gangsters like Lucky Luciano and Al Capone truly came into their own. Winter also previously confirmed of ‘Boardwalk Empire’ season 4 that Gretchen Mol and Kelly MacDonald would indeed return, despite their ambiguous presences at the end of season 3, while Michael Shannon (Nelson Van Alden) would have a stronger presence as a member of Al Capone’s crew.

What say you? Are you looking forward to ‘Boardwalk Empire’ season 4′s HBO debut? What other stars beside Jeffrey Wright would you like to see in Nucky Thompson’s world?