Skip to content
Still from Carnivàle

TV show · sci-fi & fantasy, mystery

Carnivàle

2003–2005 · 2 seasons, 24 episodes · canceled

Ray checks whether this show is for you and remembers where you stopped.

Start with Ray

Where to watch Carnivàle

See which services have this show in the US, with what audio and at what price.

Check where to watch

A free account is all it takes.I already have an account

Seasons and episodes Carnivàle

Season scores: TMDB, out of 10.

Season 1

2003 · 12 episodes · about 11h · 7.3/10

Still: Milfay1. 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.

Still: After the Ball Is Over2. 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.

Still: Tipton3. 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.

Still: Black Blizzard4. 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.

Still: Babylon5. 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.

Still: Pick a Number6. 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.

Still: The River7. 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.

Still: Lonnigan, Texas8. 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.

Still: Insomnia9. 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.

Still: Hot and Bothered10. 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.

Still: Day of the Dead11. 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.

Still: The Day That Was the Day12. 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

Ray’s take

Is this show for you? Ray answers after a short chat about what you like, and remembers what you’ve seen.

Start with RayIt’s free.

Reception

On other sites

  • TMDB7.9/10479 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

All

Creators

Full cast95 cast members across all seasons

Cast:

Crew:

Shows like this Carnivàle

Details Carnivàle

Poster: 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