English actor Stephen Graham considers himself "made up this year" due to the upcoming fourth season of US period drama Boardwalk Empire.

The former Snatch star has played the role of legendary mobster Al Capone – but this season the little Italian guy with the big attitude begins to really impose himself on his surroundings.

"Next season, Al Capone begins to slowly take over Chicago," Graham told Digital Spy. "I suppose he's becoming that more notorious character that we're all aware of.

"Johnny Torrio's passed over the reins and we get to see Al Capone with his family and his brothers Ralph and Frank. That's great because of the whole story between them as a trio.

"It's been fantastic for me to play, and I've been made up this year because I get to spend a lot of time with Michael Shannon - we're like little and large, the two of us."

Graham also revealed that he was thrilled to work closely alongside former The Wire actor Michael K Williams in the HBO show's third season.

"He's a great man. I'm a big fan - I loved him in The Wire, I've loved all the stuff he's done," said Graham.

"It was really nice to actually get to play together because it's one of those kind of jobs where you've got a lot of respect for all the other actors in it, but you're often involved in your own little world.

"Especially for me, I'm in Chicago a lot of the time and then occasionally they let me out of my little place and allow me to play."

Boardwalk Empire returns to HBO in September and will follow on UK satellite channel Sky Atlantic.