Series synopsis
Carnivàle is an American sci-fi & fantasy mystery drama television series that premiered on HBO on September 14, 2003. It ended on March 27, 2005. It was created by Daniel Knauf. It stars Nick Stahl, Clancy Brown, Michael J. Anderson and Tim DeKay.
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.
Premise
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.
Premise: Into each generation is born a creature of light and a creature of darkness.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Nick Stahl as Ben Hawkins
- Clancy Brown as Brother Justin
- Michael J. Anderson as Samson
- Tim DeKay as Clayton Jones
- Clea DuVall as Sofie
- Cynthia Ettinger as Rita Sue Dreifuss
- Carla Gallo as Libby Dreifuss
- Adrienne Barbeau as Ruthie
Supporting cast
- Amy Madigan as Iris Crowe
- Toby Huss as Stumpy Dreifuss
- Debra Christofferson as Lila
- Brian Turk as Gabriel
- Diane Salinger as Apollonia
- Ralph Waite as Norman Belthus
- John Fleck as Gecko
- Blake Shields as Osgood
- John Carroll Lynch as Varlyn Stroud
- Patrick Bauchau as Professor Ernst Lodz
Guest cast
- Jeff Austin as Rowlett
- Ellen Geer as The Crone
- Matt McCoy as Councilman Ned Munson
- Matthew McGrory as Giant
- Richard Fancy as Psychiatrist
- Time Winters as Wilfred Talbot Smith
- Judith Hoag as Miss Jolene
- Luis Contreras as Proprietor
- Rene Kirby as Hoppy
- Spencer Garrett as Young Balthus
- John Hannah as Stangler
- Aria Wallace as Polly Ann
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 27 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 3 | ||
| Season 1 | 12 | September 14, 2003 | November 30, 2003 |
| Season 2 | 12 | January 9, 2005 | March 27, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Making of Carnivàle Behind-the-scenes featurette detailing how set and constume designers collaborated to achieve the look of the Dustbowl in the 1930s. |
|
| 2 |
Discussion With Cast and Creators Courtesy of the Museum of Television & Radio. |
|
| 3 |
Magic & Myth The Meaning of Carnivàle - a half-hour documentary exploring the apocalyptic writing and mythology behind the series with cast and crew. |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Milfay 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. |
September 14, 2003 |
| 2 |
After the Ball Is Over 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. |
September 21, 2003 |
| 3 |
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. |
September 28, 2003 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Los Moscos The Dust Bowl circus troupe deals with the fallout from a fatal fire and, in California, Brother Justin reaches new converts on the radio. Lila wonders what happened to Lodz. Ben takes off to find Scudder. |
January 9, 2005 |
| 2 |
Alamogordo, NM The troupe sends out search parties when a distraught Sofie goes missing. Justin and Iris welcome a new housekeeper. Samson accuses Stumpy of skimming. Ben visits an old acquaintance of Scudder's in New Mexico. |
January 16, 2005 |
| 3 |
Ingram, TX Dolan continues his quest to get to the bottom of the Ministry arson. Gabriel gets into the act with Ruthie, who experiences another supernatural vision. Ben happens upon some distant relatives. |
January 23, 2005 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | HBO |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 14, 2003 |
| Last aired | March 27, 2005 |
| Runtime | 54 minutes |
| Status | Canceled |
| Schedule | Sunday at 22:00:00 |