
TV show · sci-fi & fantasy, mystery
Carnivàle
2003–2005 · 2 seasons, 24 episodes · canceled
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Seasons and episodes Carnivàle
Season scores: TMDB, out of 10.
Season 1
2003 · 12 episodes · about 11h · 7.3/10
1. Milfay58 min · 6.8/10
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.
2. After the Ball Is Over57 min · 6.6/10
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.
3. Tipton50 min · 8.3/10
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.
4. Black Blizzard47 min · 6.9/10
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.
5. Babylon49 min · 6.9/10
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.
6. Pick a Number57 min · 8.4/10
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.
7. The River52 min · 8.6/10
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.
8. Lonnigan, Texas58 min · 8.8/10
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.
9. Insomnia46 min · 6.7/10
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.
10. Hot and Bothered53 min · 6.7/10
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.
11. Day of the Dead55 min · 6.7/10
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.
12. The Day That Was the Day55 min · 6.6/10
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.
Season summaries2 seasons, 12 episodes each
Season 1
2003 · 12 episodes · about 11h · TMDB 7.3
Season 2
2005 · 12 episodes · TMDB 7.2
Episodes run about 53 min. Last episode: March 27, 2005
Is it worth watching? Carnivàle
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Reception
On other sites
7.9/10479 votes
What is it about? Carnivàle
Into each generation is born a creature of light and a creature of darkness.
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.
Genres: sci-fi & fantasy, mystery, drama. Themes: tarot cards, carnival, chosen one, striptease, great depression, surrealism.
Cast and crew Carnivàle
AllCreators
- Created byDaniel Knauf
- MusicJeff Beal
- CinematographyJeffrey Jur
- EditingPeter B. Ellis
- NetworkHBO
Full cast95 cast members across all seasons
Cast:
- Nick Stahl · Ben Hawkins · 24 ep.
- Michael J. Anderson · Samson · 24 ep.
- Clea DuVall · Sofie · 24 ep.
- Cynthia Ettinger · Rita Sue Dreifuss · 24 ep.
- Carla Gallo · Libby Dreifuss · 24 ep.
- Adrienne Barbeau · Ruthie · 24 ep.
- Amy Madigan · Iris Crowe · 24 ep.
- Debra Christofferson · Lila · 24 ep.
- Brian Turk · Gabriel · 24 ep.
- Diane Salinger · Apollonia · 12 ep.
- John Fleck · Gecko · 12 ep.
- Blake Shields · Osgood · 3 ep.
- Patrick Bauchau · Professor Ernst Lodz · 13 ep.
- Karyne Steben · Alexandria · 12 ep.
- Sarah Steben · Caladonia · 12 ep.
- John Carroll Lynch · Varlyn Stroud · 12 ep.
- Clancy Brown · Justin Crowe · 24 ep.
- Tim DeKay · Jonesy · 24 ep.
- Toby Huss · Stumpy · 24 ep.
- Jeff Austin · Rowlett · 1 ep.
- Ellen Geer · The Crone · 1 ep.
- Matt McCoy · Councilman Ned Munson · 1 ep.
- Matthew McGrory · Giant · 1 ep.
- Richard Fancy · Psychiatrist · 2 ep.
- Time Winters · Wilfred Talbot Smith · 1 ep.
- Judith Hoag · Miss Jolene · 1 ep.
- Luis Contreras · Proprietor · 1 ep.
- Rene Kirby · Hoppy · 1 ep.
- Spencer Garrett · Balthus · 2 ep.
- John Hannah · Stangler · 2 ep.
- Aria Wallace · Polly Ann · 1 ep.
- John Doe · Phineas Boffo · 2 ep.
- Bill Moseley · Possum · 7 ep.
- Van Epperson · Hotel Astoria Clerk · 1 ep.
- Erin Sanders · Irina · 2 ep.
- Linda Hunt · Management (voice) · 2 ep.
- Robert Knepper · Tommy Dolan · 12 ep.
- Jenna Boyd · Maddy Crane · 1 ep.
- Gabriel Mann · Harlan Staub · 1 ep.
- Thomas Kopache · Ike Gukor · 1 ep.
Crew:
- Ronald D. Moore · Producer
- Howard Klein · Producer
- Dan Bishop · Production Design
- Terry Dresbach · Costume Design
- John Papsidera · Casting
- Jeff Beal · Original Music Composer
- Wendy O'Brien · Casting
- Jeffrey Jur · Director of Photography
- Daniel Knauf · Writer
- James Glennon · Director of Photography
- Peter B. Ellis · Editor
- Dawn Prestwich · Writer
- Nicole Yorkin · Writer
- Rodrigo García · Director
- Jeremy Podeswa · Director
- Leo Trombetta · Editor
- William Schmidt · Writer
- Jacques Gravett · Editor
- Tracy Tormé · Writer
- Ronald D. Moore · Writer
- Scott Winant · Director
- Jack Bender · Director
- John Patterson · Director
- Tim Hunter · Director
- Toni Graphia · Writer
- Bernt Amadeus Capra · Production Design
- Tami Reiker · Director of Photography
- Ruth Myers · Costume Design
- Tucker Gates · Director
- Alison Maclean · Director
- Todd Field · Director
- Alan Taylor · Director
- Steve Shill · Director
- Peter Medak · Director
- Dan Lerner · Director
- Carole Kravetz Aykanian · Editor
- William Schmidt · Story
- Henry Bromell · Writer
Trailer Carnivàle
ENCarnivále Season 1 TrailerJanuary 25, 2009Shows like this Carnivàle
Details Carnivàle

- First episode
- September 14, 2003
- Last episode
- March 27, 2005
- Status
- canceled
- Network
- HBO
- Country
- United States
- Original language
- English
- Rating
- TV-MA
- Studios
- 3 Arts Entertainment, HBO
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons does Carnivàle have?
2 seasons, 24 episodes. The last episode aired March 27, 2005.
Who’s in Carnivàle?
Nick Stahl, Michael J. Anderson, Clea DuVall, Cynthia Ettinger, Carla Gallo, Adrienne Barbeau, Amy Madigan, Debra Christofferson, Brian Turk, and Diane Salinger. Created by Daniel Knauf.
Sources: TMDB (title data, images). As of November 13, 2026. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. · Ta strona po polsku





















