Scripted series · HBO
Carnivàle
Into each generation is born a creature of light and a creature of darkness.
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
Nick Stahl
Ben Hawkins
24 eps
Clancy Brown
Brother Justin
24 eps
Michael J. Anderson
Samson
24 eps
Tim DeKay
Clayton Jones
24 eps
Clea DuVall
Sofie
24 eps
Cynthia Ettinger
Rita Sue Dreifuss
24 eps
Carla Gallo
Libby Dreifuss
24 eps
Adrienne Barbeau
Ruthie
24 eps
Amy Madigan
Iris Crowe
24 eps
Toby Huss
Stumpy Dreifuss
24 eps
Debra Christofferson
Lila
24 eps
Brian Turk
Gabriel
24 eps
Ralph Waite
Norman Belthus
24 eps
Diane Salinger
Apollonia
12 eps
John Fleck
Gecko
24 eps
Blake Shields
Osgood
16 eps
John Carroll Lynch
Varlyn Stroud
12 eps
Patrick Bauchau
Professor Ernst Lodz
13 eps
Jeff Austin
Rowlett
1 eps
Ellen Geer
The Crone
1 eps
Matt McCoy
Councilman Ned Munson
1 eps
Matthew McGrory
Giant
1 eps
Richard Fancy
Psychiatrist
2 eps
Time Winters
Wilfred Talbot Smith
1 eps
Judith Hoag
Miss Jolene
1 eps
Luis Contreras
Proprietor
1 eps
Rene Kirby
Hoppy
1 eps
Spencer Garrett
Young Balthus
2 eps
John Hannah
Stangler
2 eps
Aria Wallace
Polly Ann
1 eps
John Doe
Phineas Boffo
2 eps
Bill Moseley
Possum
7 eps
Van Epperson
Hotel Astoria Clerk
1 eps
Erin Sanders
Irina
2 eps
Linda Hunt
Management (voice)
2 eps
Robert Knepper
Tommy Dolan
12 eps
Jenna Boyd
Maddy Crane
1 eps
Gabriel Mann
Harlan Staub
1 eps
Thomas Kopache
Ike Gukor
1 eps
Kurt Fuller
Bud Everhard
1 eps
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How Carnivàle actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
Carnivàle reads strongest on Character Depth, Bingeability and World Building.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
The story
What it's about
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.
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.
S01E08
Lonnigan, Texas
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.
- Directed by Scott Winant
- Written by Daniel Knauf
S02E11
Outside New Canaan
Lila voices her opposition to Samson's itinerary for the troupe. Justin's baptism of the faithful coincides with another tragedy and a startling event in the migrant camp. Libby pleads with Jones to reveal his secret. Sofie sees a familiar face.
- Directed by Dan Lerner
- Written by Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich
S01E07
The River
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.
- Directed by Alison Maclean
- Written by Toni Graphia
S02E06
The Road to Damascus
Samson runs into an old acquaintance when the troupe crosses paths with another carnival. Rita Sue's business decisions give Stumpy fits. Justin and Iris struggle with a tough sermon. Libby's honor is in need of defense.
- Directed by Tucker Gates
- Written by Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich
S01E06
Pick a Number
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.
- Directed by Rodrigo García
- Written by Ronald D. Moore
S01E03
Tipton
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.
- Directed by Rodrigo García
- Written by Henry Bromell, Daniel Knauf
Recently aired
Latest Episodes
S02E12
New Canaan, CA
- Directed by Scott Winant
- Written by Tracy Tormé, Daniel Knauf
S02E11
Outside New Canaan
- Directed by Dan Lerner
- Written by Nicole Yorkin, Dawn Prestwich
S02E08
Outskirts, Damascus, NE
- Directed by Tim Hunter
- Written by Daniel Knauf
Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- Ronald D. MooreProducer
- Howard KleinProducer
Writing
- Ronald D. MooreWriter
- Tracy TorméWriter
- William SchmidtWriter
- Henry BromellWriter
- Toni GraphiaWriter
- Nicole YorkinWriter
Direction
- Tim HunterDirector
- Rodrigo GarcíaDirector
- Alison MacleanDirector
- Dan LernerDirector
- Jeremy PodeswaDirector
- Scott WinantDirector
Cinematography
- Tami ReikerDirector of Photography
- Jeffrey JurDirector of Photography
- James GlennonDirector of Photography
Music
- Jeff BealOriginal Music Composer
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
- Amazon VideoBuy
- Amazon VideoRent
- Apple TV StoreBuy
- HBO Max Amazon ChannelStreaming
- Google Play MoviesBuy
- Fandango At HomeBuy
- YouTube TVStreaming
- HBO MaxStreaming
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