6.953 minSeason 2 • Episode 12
LatestSamson tries to stay a step ahead of impending chaos. Stroud does his best to protect Justin. Ben's powers face the ultimate test.
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.
Production
$4M per episode in 2003—every frame looks like a fever dream painting.
Costume
Dust-caked Depression authenticity meets occult pageantry.
Writing
Mythology so dense it needed a companion website. HBO said 'no thanks.'
Creator
Daniel Knauf
Nick Stahl
Ben Hawkins
Clancy Brown
Brother Justin
Michael J. Anderson
Samson
Tim DeKay
Clayton Jones
Clea DuVall
Sofie
Carla Gallo
Libby Dreifuss
Adrienne Barbeau
Ruthie
Amy Madigan
Iris Crowe
Toby Huss
Stumpy Dreifuss
Debra Christofferson
Lila
Brian Turk
Gabriel
Ralph Waite
Norman Belthus
John Fleck
Gecko
Blake Shields
Osgood
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The entire series was plotted as six seasons with a definitive ending; HBO canceled after season two despite critical acclaim and Emmy wins.
Creator Daniel Knauf's father was a carny, and the show's authentic 'cooch show' and geek acts came from his childhood stories.
US
