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Carnivàle

Carnivàle

Into each generation is born a creature of light and a creature of darkness.

TV-MA2003•54m•7.9/10
Sci-Fi & FantasyMysteryDrama

Ratings

🎬TMDb
7.9/10(448)

Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle between free will and destiny; the storyline mixes Christian theology with gnosticism and Masonic lore, particularly that of the Knights Templar.

Open in PickFlick

Production

3 Arts Entertainment, HBO

Language

EN

Status

Canceled

First Aired

September 14, 2003

Last Aired

March 27, 2005

Networks

HBO

Created By

Daniel Knauf

Trailers & Videos

Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
Milfay
E1
Milfay
Air date: 2003-09-14
Ben reluctantly joins the carnival after the bank forecloses on his family's Oklahoma farm. Brother Justin has a bizarre encounter with a poor parishioner. Sofie has a run-in at a small-town gas station.
After the Ball Is Over
E2
After the Ball Is Over
Air date: 2003-09-21
Ben uncovers a piece of his past as a result of Jones' sense of humor. Justin tries to persuade a parishioner to make a deal in real estate. Sofie endures a frightening mishap involving her mother. Samson changes the carnival's course.
Tipton
E3
Tipton
Air date: 2003-09-28
Ben is the main attraction when Samson refashions the carnival as a religious revival to satisfy a town's moral underpinnings. Justin has a powerful ally in a fight against city hall. Sofie accompanies Ben on a journey into his past.
Black Blizzard
E4
Black Blizzard
Air date: 2003-10-05
Jones looks to management when the crew turns mutinous. Appolonia is displeased with Sofie's romantic tastes. Justin faces a difficult choice between his congregations. Ben is tested by Lodz.
Babylon
E5
Babylon
Air date: 2003-10-12
Samson tries to improve the troupe's spirits with a night of revelry. Ben has an enlightening experience at the bottom of a mineshaft. A group of miners is anxious for entertainment.
Pick a Number
E6
Pick a Number
Air date: 2003-10-19
Revenge-minded carnies practice their own form of retribution. Justin encounters a group of hobos on his journey of self-discovery. Ben returns from another strange experience.
The River
E7
The River
Air date: 2003-10-26
After a recent tragedy, Stumpy and Rita Sue debate their future in the carnival. In her brother's absence, Iris receives help from a radio reporter. Ben helps Ruthie with her act.
Lonnigan, Texas
E8
Lonnigan, Texas
Air date: 2003-11-02
Lodz disagrees with Samson's decision to send Ben on a business trip for the carnival. A radio-show host tries to help find a wandering Justin. Sofie considers a career change.
Insomnia
E9
Insomnia
Air date: 2003-11-09
Ben tries to escape his dreams by staying awake. Iris uses a radio ally to help locate Justin. Samson goes back to the drawing board to increase business.
Hot and Bothered
E10
Hot and Bothered
Air date: 2003-11-16
Ben and Samson go in search of the mysterious Scudder. Sofie accuses her mother of foul play. Lodz waits patiently for Ben for fall asleep. Justin returns to Mintern with a new plan.
Day of the Dead
E11
Day of the Dead
Air date: 2003-11-23
Rita Sue teaches a newcomer a few tricks of the trade. Balthus is nervous about Tommy Dolan's allegations. Lodz gets approval from Management to help Ben.
The Day That Was the Day
E12
The Day That Was the Day
Air date: 2003-11-30
A distraught Ben finally meets with Management. In California, Balthus and Justin deal with the tragic undercurrents of their ministry. Stumpy and Rita Sue try to save their marriage. Samson must think fast when the law comes to the carnival.

Cast

Nick Stahl

Nick Stahl

Ben Hawkins

Clancy Brown

Clancy Brown

Brother Justin

Michael J. Anderson

Michael J. Anderson

Samson

Tim DeKay

Tim DeKay

Clayton Jones

Clea DuVall

Clea DuVall

Sofie

Cynthia Ettinger

Cynthia Ettinger

Rita Sue Dreifuss

Carla Gallo

Carla Gallo

Libby Dreifuss

Adrienne Barbeau

Adrienne Barbeau

Ruthie

Amy Madigan

Amy Madigan

Iris Crowe

Toby Huss

Toby Huss

Stumpy Dreifuss

Debra Christofferson

Debra Christofferson

Lila

Brian Turk

Brian Turk

Gabriel

Ralph Waite

Ralph Waite

Norman Belthus

John Fleck

John Fleck

Gecko

Blake Shields

Blake Shields

Osgood

John Carroll Lynch

John Carroll Lynch

Varlyn Stroud

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