™
Carnivàle
On HBO — From 3 Arts Entertainment · HBO
Into each generation is born a creature of light and a creature of darkness.
Create a free account to see where Carnivàle is streaming, with prices and your services first.
Where to watch
Not available to stream in US
🔔 Notify me about new seasonsSynopsis
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.
Themes
Episodes
Create a free account to track the episodes you’ve watched.
- E1 MilfayNext upSep 14, 2003 · 58 min · ★ 6.8
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Matthew McGrory (Giant), Jenna Boyd (Maddy Crane), K Callan (Eleanor McGill), John Savage (Henry 'Hack' Scudder), Lucinda Jenney (Flora Hawkins), Amanda Aday (Dora Mae Dreifuss), Brett Rickaby (Barker), Don Swayze (Tattooed Man)
- E2 After the Ball Is OverSep 21, 2003 · 57 min · ★ 6.6
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: K Callan (Eleanor McGill), Patrick Thomas O'Brien (Clark), John Savage (Henry 'Hack' Scudder), Lisa K. Wyatt (Minnie), George Cheung (Mr. Chin), Kathleen Gati (Emma Templeton), Amanda Aday (Dora Mae Dreifuss), Brent Hinkley (Slim / Wheel Man)
- E3 TiptonSep 28, 2003 · 50 min · ★ 8.3
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Matt McCoy (Councilman Ned Munson), Bill Moseley (Possum), Glenn Shadix (Councilman Val Templeton), K Callan (Eleanor McGill), John Savage (Henry 'Hack' Scudder), Deborah Strang (Becca Donovan), Amanda Aday (Dora Mae Dreifuss), Charles Robinson (Walter)
- E4 Black BlizzardOct 5, 2003 · 47 min · ★ 6.9
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Blake Shields (Osgood), Judith Hoag (Miss Jolene), Aria Wallace (Polly Ann), Bill Moseley (Possum), Gabriel Mann (Harlan Staub), Jesse Burch (Mackey), Amanda Aday (Dora Mae Dreifuss), Ralph Waite (Reverend Norman Balthus)
- E5 BabylonOct 12, 2003 · 49 min · ★ 6.9
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: John Hannah (Stangler), Thomas Kopache (Ike Gukor), John Savage (Henry 'Hack' Scudder), Scott MacDonald (Burley), Amanda Aday (Dora Mae Dreifuss), David Darmstaeder (C.L. Dill)
- E6 Pick a NumberOct 19, 2003 · 57 min · ★ 8.4
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: John Hannah (Stangler), Bill Moseley (Possum), Robert Knepper (Tommy Dolan), Peter Jason (Lou Edwards), Amanda Aday (Dora Mae Dreifuss), Michael Massee (Russian Soldier)
- E7 The RiverOct 26, 2003 · 52 min · ★ 8.6
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Spencer Garrett (Young Balthus), Erin Sanders (Irina), Robert Knepper (Tommy Dolan), Glenn Shadix (Councilman Val Templeton), K Callan (Eleanor McGill), Ritchie Montgomery (Patrolman), Jordan Orr (Alexsei)
- E8 Lonnigan, TexasNov 2, 2003 · 58 min · ★ 8.8
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Richard Fancy (Psychiatrist), John Doe (Phineas Boffo), Cletus Young (Daddy - Tucker), Michael Robert Brandon (Bunny), Michael Massee (Russian Soldier)
- E9 InsomniaNov 9, 2003 · 46 min · ★ 6.7
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Blake Shields (Osgood), Richard Fancy (Psychiatrist), Bill Moseley (Possum), Robert Knepper (Tommy Dolan), Gary Imhoff (Male Performer), Scott MacDonald (Burley), Don Swayze (Tattooed Man), Hunter Johnson (Emily)
- E10 Hot and BotheredNov 16, 2003 · 53 min · ★ 6.7
Synopsis
Ben and Samson go in search of the mysterious Scudder. Sofie accuses her mother of foul play. Lodz waits patiently for Ben to fall asleep. Justin returns to Mintern with a new plan.
Guest stars: Blake Shields (Osgood), John Doe (Phineas Boffo), Bill Moseley (Possum), Robert Knepper (Tommy Dolan), John Savage (Henry 'Hack' Scudder), Scott MacDonald (Burley), Kim Robillard (Frank Mooney), Don Swayze (Tattooed Man)
- E11 Day of the DeadNov 23, 2003 · 55 min · ★ 6.7
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Luis Contreras (Proprietor), Robert Knepper (Tommy Dolan), Valeria Hernandez (Catalina de la Rosa), Ralph Waite (Reverend Norman Balthus)
- E12 The Day That Was the DayNov 30, 2003 · 55 min · ★ 6.6
Synopsis
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.
Guest stars: Spencer Garrett (Young Balthus), Bill Moseley (Possum), Erin Sanders (Irina), Robert Knepper (Tommy Dolan), Jon Gries (Texas Ranger), Jordan Orr (Alexsei), Valeria Hernandez (Catalina de la Rosa), Ralph Waite (Reverend Norman Balthus)
Cast & crew
Created by Daniel Knauf
Nick Stahl
Michael J. Anderson
Clea DuVall
Cynthia Ettinger
Carla Gallo
Adrienne Barbeau
Amy Madigan
Debra Christofferson
Brian Turk
John Carroll Lynch
Clancy Brown
Tim DeKayVideos
Trailers
Images · 14
Similar shows
Reviews · from TMDB members
tsdenizenAug 26, 2023
This show was insanely cool and had the potential to be one of HBO's best ever shows. Seriously, I'd take these two seasons over just about anything the premium channel has put out. There's a level of creativity and thoughtfulness that is near unheard of in TV. Unfortunately, these seasons amount to god-tier set-up for shit-hits-the-fan moments that we never got to see. As soon as we were going to get some big pay-offs, Carnivàle was cancelled. Nobody watched it: it was too s… Read more
low, too smart, too weird for its time. This is one of the biggest creative what-ifs ever in my opinion. I still love these seasons, but rewatching them know that the story doesn't get its proper end isn't too appealing. Still can't rate it lower though: what we got was way too good.
