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Carnival Row is an American fantasy television series created by René Echevarria and Travis Beacham, based on Beacham's unproduced film spec script, A Killing on Carnival Row.[1][3] The series stars Orlando Bloom, Cara Delevingne, Simon McBurney, Tamzin Merchant, David Gyasi, Andrew Gower, Karla Crome, Arty Froushan, Indira Varma, and Jared Harris. The series follows mythological beings who must survive as oppressed refugees in human society, as a detective works to solve murders connected with them.
| Carnival Row | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | |
| Based on | A Killing on Carnival Row by Travis Beacham |
| Starring | |
| Composer | Nathan Barr |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 18 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producer | Gideon Amir |
| Production location | Czech Republic |
| Editor | Geofrey Hildrew |
| Camera setup | Multiple-camera |
| Running time | 50–67 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Amazon Prime Video |
| Release | August 30, 2019 – March 17, 2023 |
Carnival Row's first season was released in its entirety on Amazon Prime Video on August 30, 2019. In July 2019, Amazon renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on February 17, 2023, and served as the series's final season, concluding on March 17, 2023.
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In Carnival Row, "mythical creatures... have fled their war-torn homeland and gathered in the city as tensions are simmering between citizens and the growing immigrant population".[4] There is an investigation into a string of unsolved murders, questions of madness of power, unresolved love, and social adjustments eating away at whatever uneasy peace exists.
Main
- Orlando Bloom as Rycroft "Philo" Philostrate, an inspector of the Burgue Constabulary, investigating a dark conspiracy at the heart of the city. A half-fae passing as a human, and veteran of the war, he sympathizes with the fae to the disgust of many of his colleagues.
- Cara Delevingne as Vignette Stonemoss, a faerie (also known by their derogatory name of "Pix") and Philo's former lover who believed him to be dead following the war. She falls in with a group of fae ruffians known as the Black Raven while dealing with her complicated feelings for Philo.
- Simon McBurney as Runyan Millworthy, a human street performer and master of a troupe of kobolds.
- Tamzin Merchant as Imogen Spurnrose, an heiress who becomes involved with Agreus to support her lifestyle.
- David Gyasi as Agreus Astrayon, a wealthy faun (also known by their derogatory name of "Puck") shunned by Burgue high society for his appearance and origin.
- Andrew Gower as Ezra Spurnrose, Imogen's brother whom she blames for mishandling the family finances and driving them into debt.
- Karla Crome as Tourmaline Larou, Vignette's fae friend and former lover, Poet Laureate of Tirnanoc, and a courtesan at the Tetterby Hotel in Carnival Row.
- Arty Froushan as Jonah Breakspear, Absalom's son who rebels against his controlling father.
- Indira Varma as Piety Breakspear (season 1), Absalom's manipulative wife who seeks to enshrine her family's legacy.
- Jared Harris as Absalom Breakspear (season 1), the chancellor of the Republic of the Burgue.
- Caroline Ford as Sophie Longerbane, the power-seeking daughter of Ritter Longerbane who becomes sympathetic towards the Fae.
- Jay Ali as Kaine (season 2), a fae allied with the Black Raven who goes to extreme measures to make life better for his people.
- Joanne Whalley as Leonora (season 2), a faun with a broken horn and leader of the New Dawn revolutionary movement.
- Jamie Harris as Sergeant Dombey (season 2; recurring season 1), a constable sergeant who is known to harbor racist beliefs against the fae and despises Philo for sympathizing with them.
- Ariyon Bakare as Darius Sykes (season 2; recurring season 1), Philo's old friend and a former soldier of the Burgue now held in captive luxury at Bleakness Keep due to having been bitten by a Marrok (a type of werewolf created from a virus) during the war.
Recurring
- Alice Krige as Aoife Tsigani, a Haruspex (or witch) in the service of Piety Breakspear.
- Tracey Wilkinson as Afissa, the "Puck" housemaid and cook to the Spurnroses.
- Ryan Hayes as Constable Thatch, a rookie constable with a strong hatred of the fae.
- Waj Ali as Constable Berwick, Philo's timid partner who nevertheless remains loyal to him.
- James Beaumont as Constable Cuppins, a constable who finds Philo's interest in the fae unnatural.
- Jim High as Fergus, a human servant in Agreus' household.
- Scott Reid as Quilliam "Quill", a "Puck" footman, unjustly dismissed by the Chancellor, who turns to radicalism.
- Brian Caspe as Nigel Winetrout, a politician and close advisor for the Breakspear family.
- Chloe Pirrie as Dahlia, the ruthless "Pix" leader of the Black Raven.
- Anthony Kaye as Bolero, the loyal "Pix" second-in-command of the Black Raven.
- Sinead Phelps as Jenila, Sophie's "Puck" lady's maid.
Season 1
- Maeve Dermody as Portia Fyfe, Philo's landlady whose romantic advances he frequently rebuffs.
- Leanne Best as Madame Moira, the proprietor of The Tetterby Hotel, which she uses as a brothel.
- Anna Rust as Fleury, a "Pix" courtesan at Moira's brothel.
- Ronan Vibert as Ritter Longerbane, Sophie's father, Absalom Breakspear's primary political opponent, and longtime advocate of fae subjugation.
- Mark Lewis Jones as Magistrate Flute, the head constable in the Burgue who urges solidarity amongst his officers and frequently butts heads with Philo over his concern for the fae's welfare.
- Erika Starkova as Aisling Querelle, Philo's mother and a once-famous "Pix" singer turned to the life of a scavenger.
- Theo Barklem-Biggs as Cabal, a "Puck" malcontent seeking to bring his brethren together.
Season 2
- Fraser James as Erasmus Fletcher, a politician and advisor for the Longerbane family.
- Eve Ponsonby as Phaedra, a "Pix" vigilante and member of the Black Raven.
- Stewart Scudamore as Boz Ghaidos, a well-connected cattle-horned "Puck" who manages an underground fighting ring.
- Andrew Buchan as Mikulas Vir, a Major in The Pact army who travels to The Burgue to secure a weapons deal with a secret of his own.
- Karel Dobrý as Ambassador Anrep, the ambassador for The Pact to The Burgue.
- Jacqueline Boatswain as Mima Blodwen, a "Mima" fae, a spiritual leader, who guides Tourmaline.
- George Georgiou as Kastor, a high-ranking member of the New Dawn in charge of overseeing Agreus and Imogen.
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Season 1 (2019)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Some Dark God Wakes" | Thor Freudenthal | Story by : René Echevarria and Travis Beacham Teleplay by : René Echevarria | August 30, 2019 | |||
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Vignette Stonemoss escapes Pact soldiers onto a ship with other fae-folk she has helped flee Pact-occupied fae land. A storm at sea leaves Vignette the sole survivor. The ship belonged to Ezra Spurnrose, who lives with his sister Imogen in one of the Burgue’s richer neighborhoods. Having lost a significant profit in the shipwreck, he expects the indentured Vignette to work as a lady's maid to Imogen. Vignette goes to Carnival Row on an errand, meeting her old friend Tourmaline, now a sex worker, who reveals Vignette's lover Philo is still alive. Now a police inspector investigating violent attacks on fae-folk, Philo realizes the suspect is a sailor. He tries to catch the assailant, but the man, before taking his own life, warns him that a "dark god" has awakened under the city. Vignette tells Philo that she knows he is alive. Imogen and Ezra are shocked to learn their new neighbor is a faun named Agreus. Absalom Breakspear, Chancellor of the city, faces strong opposition from his rival Longerbane. He and his wife Piety discuss their son Jonah, whom he warns not to visit Carnival Row. | ||||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Aisling" | Thor Freudenthal | René Echevarria | August 30, 2019 | |||
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A female fae named Aisling is murdered near the sewers. Philo learns Aisling was a singer turned scavenger, and asks a fae butcher to perform an autopsy, allowing a fae priestess to perform last rites. Imogen meets Agreus, rebuffing his advances. A drunk Ezra attempts to rape Vignette and she assaults him in self-defense; Ezra files a police complaint accusing her of stealing. Philo overhears this and buys Vignette's contract from him. Ezra tells Imogen they are financially unstable, and he plans to give the house as collateral to the bank to procure another ship. Imogen has her own plans, and writes to Agreus, reciprocating his interest. Vignette joins the Black Raven, a rebel fae group dealing in contraband, and is tasked to steal a flag from inside police headquarters. She succeeds by blackmailing Philo into letting her escape. Philo meets Darius, an old army friend currently in prison. Jonah is kidnapped while visiting Tourmaline. Without a ransom demand, Piety suggests they consult a witch, who sacrifices Absalom's pet bear, Barry, and tells him Longerbane kidnapped his son. It is revealed Piety is behind the kidnapping, asking the witch, her family's loyal servant, to lie. | ||||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Kingdoms of the Moon" | Anna Foerster | Travis Beacham | August 30, 2019 | |||
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A flashback reveals Philo and Darius were soldiers with the Burguish army, occupying a fae village near a telegraph line. Sent to investigate whether the faefolk are a threat, Philo finds a library guarded by Vignette, who threatens him to stay silent and is ordered to keep a close eye on him by Mima. Vignette helps the Burguishmen fix the telegraph line across a ravine, where they are attacked by Pact soldiers who morph into Marroks (a type of wolf-man) using injections. Darius is bitten, turning into a Marrok which Philo promises to keep secret. Tourmaline and other fae seek refuge at the village when their home is attacked by the Pact. Tourmaline talks to Vignette, her past lover, asking what Vignette’s plans are with Philo after the war. Vignette confronts Philo about their future, and he reveals he is a half-blood orphan who had his wings cut off as a child to pass as a man. News arrives that the Burgue has ordered its troops home. The Pact attacks the village, and Philo asks Mima to tell Vignette he is dead, to protect her. In the present, Vignette tells Philo she will keep his secret, but their love is finished. | ||||||||
| 4 | 4 | "The Joining of Unlike Things" | Thor Freudenthal Anna Foerster | Travis Beacham & Marc Guggenheim and Peter Cameron | August 30, 2019 | |||
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| 5 | 5 | "Grieve No More" | Andy Goddard | Ian Deitchman and Kristin Robinson | August 30, 2019 | |||
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As the Darkasher cannot be killed while its master lives, Philo searches for its creator. Over Ezra's objections, Imogen invites Agreus to a tea party with her friends, which proves humiliating when he insists on being treated as their equal. As Agreus prepares to leave, Ezra swallows his pride and permits him to stay. Afterward, Agreus gives him a check. Philo returns to the orphanage, revisiting painful memories, and meets with the assistant headmaster who reveals that Finch regularly traveled to the Tetterby for companionship. Longerbane's ambitious daughter Sophie assumes his office and declares her opposition to coexistence with the fae. Enthralled by her, Jonah grows distant from his family. Runyon's kobold performers are seized by the police and deported as unregistered pets. Philo learns the truth from Madame Moira: Finch was in a secret relationship with police coroner Morange who confesses that Finch knew Aisling in his younger days, leading Philo to deduce Aisling was his mother. That night, Morange is murdered in his home by the Darkasher. Jonah's former footman Quill joins a secret society of "Pucks" after their leader Cabal gives him a book to read. | ||||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Unaccompanied Fae" | Andy Goddard | Stephanie K. Smith | August 30, 2019 | |||
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Philo's fellow police officers become suspicious as he seems to be making no progress on his case. Jonah meets Sophie and learns she abhors her father's politics, but cannot afford to alienate his supporters. She tells him they are very much alike, but he is still under his parents' thumb. Philo tells Portia he is a half-blood and she ends their relationship and kicks him out. Vignette discovers her library is on display at a Burguish museum. Enraged, she accosts the patrons and is arrested for trespassing. During a procession, Quill witnesses a fellow Puck being beaten by an abusive foreman which Cabal offers as proof humans will never accept the Fae. Imogen accompanies Agreus to a charity auction where he impresses her with his wit and humiliates a haughty couple who insult her. Constable Dombey forces Portia to reveal Philo's secret. Berwick tries to explain Philo's theory about the Darkasher, which Dombey and the Magistrate are convinced Philo made up to disguise the killings. Runyon tells Philo that the late Mr. Spurnrose, an admirer of Aisling, let her stay at his house to give birth safely. Philo is taken into police custody. | ||||||||
| 7 | 7 | "The World to Come" | Jon Amiel | Story by : René Echevarria Teleplay by : Peter Cameron | August 30, 2019 | |||
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Dombey hopes Philo will be killed by human prisoners. Vignette warns him and he fights them off. The witch warns Piety that she will die soon and that the police have the wrong man. Guilt-stricken, Portia tells the police she lied about Philo. The Magistrate offers to free Philo if he swears he is a man, but Philo admits he is half-fae. Dombey plots to have Philo murdered before trial. Hired as Jonah’s tutor, Runyon lambasts him for his lack of purpose, driving Jonah to accept Sophie’s offer to force his father from power. Furious to learn his father sheltered Aisling, Ezra tells Imogen that Agreus will cast her aside. She visits Agreus where they confess their mutual feelings and have sex. Cabal inducts Quill into his society by having him kill the foreman. Philo and Vignette reconcile and realize the killer is Philo's father who wants to rid himself of his half-blood son and has been killing those close to him to learn his identity. Philo is removed from his cell by Dombey, having been warned by Berwick of his plans. Instead of being killed, Philo is taken to a rural estate to meet his biological father: Absalom. | ||||||||
| 8 | 8 | "The Gloaming" | Jon Amiel | Travis Beacham | August 30, 2019 | |||
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Season 2 (2023)
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| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 1 | "Fight or Flight" | Thor Freudenthal | Story by : Erik Oleson and Travis Beacham & Marc Guggenheim Teleplay by : Erik Oleson | February 17, 2023 | |||
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| 10 | 2 | "New Dawn" | Thor Freudenthal | Sarah Byrd | February 17, 2023 | |||
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Imogen and Agreus are forced by the Pact to make port at Ragusa. Imogene is taken into the city and is surprised by what she finds while Agreus is arrested as a class traitor. Philo and Vignette argue over next steps. An ambassador from the Pact named Anrep negotiates with Jonah to purchase rifles and gunpowder to fight the New Dawn. Secretly, Jonah and Sophie plot to arm both the Pact and the New Dawn in order to retain their seats and reclaim Tirnanoc. Sophie sneaks into a storage room and reunites with Jenila, a faun servant she is hiding. They discuss finances, Jenila's brother, and a secret plan. Philo's reward from the fight in the first episode is releasing Darius who recounts his experience in captivity and how the people in his prison found out about his Marrok condition. Tourmaline continues to have visions and discovers Aoife Tsigani passed her the sight when she died. Imogen and Agreus are reunited as she tells him she met with Leonora, a faun with a broken horn. Philo sneaks into the Chancellor's dinner with assistance from Millworthy. As he is about to make his claim, members of the Black Raven break in through the ceiling. Millworthy and Philo are caught exchanging a look by Ambassador Anrep as everyone flees. | ||||||||
| 11 | 3 | "The Martyr's Hand" | Wendey Stanzler | Wesley Strick | February 24, 2023 | |||
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Tourmaline continues to have visions. The Heads and wings of Black Ravens appear on the wall, but the police refuses to investigate. Millworthy asks Philo to wait; with the chancellor humiliated, he may topple from power without Philo having to reveal himself. Millworthy has a plan, but doesn't want Philo involved. Sophie visits the Row in a well received publicity stunt. Tourmaline confides in Philo about her visions. Millworthy meets with Major Vir offering arms to fight the New Dawn, but Vir is suspicious. Philo intends to investigate the deaths, and blackmails Boz Ghaidos to get a message to Berwick. Sophie proposes to reopen Carnival Row with restrictions, to put workers back in the factories. The Chancellor is warned that Sophie is only proposing so because she has been buying up factories. Philo and Berwick take Tourmaline to find the Black Raven's bodies, using one to help Tourmaline have another vision, hoping to find their killer. But Tourmaline instead sees her own death. She returns to the house of the Haruspex and finds Darius, where Philo hid him. Ezra persuades Agreus' man Fergus for information on his and Imogen's whereabouts, then kills him. The Black Ravens plan to attack the police, Philo tries to talk them out of it, and Vignette forces him to make a choice. | ||||||||
| 12 | 4 | "An Unkindness of Ravens" | Wendey Stanzler | Dylan Gallagher & Mateja Božičević | February 24, 2023 | |||
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Agreus and Imogen are expected to do factory work in Ragusa, a shock to both of them. After work, Leonora asks for Imogen. Leonora urges Imogen to embrace her new life with Agreus, but she warns her that if Agreus continues to be stubborn, they will both suffer. Later, Ezra comes to Leonora with a report the Pact is buying Burgish rifles to use against New Dawn. Philo and Darius go to Dombey's home to warn him of the Black Raven's attempt on his life, and to get his help finding the Raven leader's killer. The Ravens come and Philo tries to talk them down while Darius and Dombey escape out the back door. During the chase, Darius gets hit with a blow dart and transforms. Philo keeps Dombey from shooting Vignette. They escape through the sewers. Vignette calls off the attack, and Philo is arrested. Dombey has Berwick escort Philo back to the Row. Tourmaline goes to a Mima for help with her visions. She's given a recipe to "Purge the darkness". As she reads it, a marrok attacks, then goes to the back room and transforms back into Darius. Philo and Vignette try to convince each other to run, but both refuse. They decide to stop their relationship. The police raid the Row looking for Ravens. Vignette goes to warn them, while Philo protects the civilian fae. Vignette turns herself in to stop the violence. | ||||||||
| 13 | 5 | "Reckoning" | Julian Holmes | Tania Lotia | March 3, 2023 | |||
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Philo returns home after the raid, where he is attacked by Kaine, a Raven. Philo fends him off, then recruits him to save Vignette, who is sentenced to die. Jonah is shown evidence that Sophie owns a considerable stake in the armament factories. She falls under suspicion of intending to buy parliament seats and make herself chancellor. Sophie, now the richest person in the Burgue, has orchestrated some of the fae to be allowed to leave the Row and work in her factories, helping her maid find her brother in the process. Major Vir remains suspicious of Millworthy. Tourmaline uses her sight to make sure Vignette will be alright, against Darius' warnings. Jonah attempts to accept Sophie's earlier marriage proposal, but Sophie demurs until after the next election. Sophie is arrested for treason by Jonah. Tourmaline tells Philo and Kaine that Vignette will be killed that night instead of after her trial. They plan to break her out of the fortress that night. Sophie is taken to the same fortress and jailed across from Vignette. Jonah also has Millworthy arrested. Philo and Kaine attempt to enter the fortress and find Vignette. Jonah tries to have Sophie sign a confession, but she refuses. He has her, Millworthy and Vignette taken to the guillotine. Sophie is executed. Before Vignette can be killed, a grotesque creature appears and slaughters the guards and Jonah. Philo and the Raven rush in during the ensuing breakout to find Millworthy in shock and Vignette gone. The creature escapes and they are arrested. | ||||||||
| 14 | 6 | "Original Sins" | Julian Holmes | Jim Dunn | March 3, 2023 | |||
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During the anniversary of the revolution, Imogen and Argeus plan to escape. Argeus is taken to see Leonora, who has taken Ezra captive. Argeus spares him, and Ezra becomes his and Imogen's responsibility. During the war, Philo remembers seeing a creature like what had attacked the fortress. It shapeshifts into a human, sparing him due to being part pix. It is identified as a Sparas, a type of monster believed to have died out centuries ago. Philo is ordered to burn their valley to stop the Pact advance. In the present, Philo is interrogated in prison, while Vignette hides with Tourmaline during the police raid on the Row. Philo questions his decisions. Tourmaline believes the Sparas is coming to kill her, but refuses to run away with Vignette. Millworthy is cleared of all charges, but is asked to be part of the interim government. After Major Vir informs him of growing anti-fae sentiment, he accepts. Berwick guesses that the Sparas is behind the killings, to exacerbate the hate between the fae and humans. The Black Ravens come to get Vignette, but she wants to be done with them. She returns to Tourmaline. Dombey comes to take Philo out of prison, as long as he helps them catch the Sparas. | ||||||||
| 15 | 7 | "Kindred" | Andy Goddard | Sam Ernst | March 10, 2023 | |||
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During the festivities in Ragusa, Imogen and Argeus plan to escape, only to have the Pact attack. Vignette goes to Boz to buy passage out of the Burgue for herself and Tourmaline, but he's more interested in the price on her head. They escape and hear that the Pact pulled its armies out of Tirnanoc to fight the New Dawn. Philo, loathing himself for having to hide being half-fae, goes to get drunk, and is nearly robbed until Darius saves him. Philo asks Dombey to see Millworthy. He gets Millworthy to arrange for passage for the fae to go to Tirnanoc. Tourmaline invites Darius to come with the fae, but he refuses. Vignette disguises herself as a puck nurse to get on a ship. She meets Philo and wants him to come to Tirnanoc with the rest of the fae. The fae are harassed by humans to the ships. Berwick can't believe Philo is leaving. Black Ravens attack and burn the ships. Then the Sparas appears, killing all human guards. Pix try to fly away, causing guards to shoot them down, frightening the rest of the fae into a stampede. The Sparas kills Berwick. | ||||||||
| 16 | 8 | "Facta Non Verba" | Andy Goddard | Jim Dunn & Sam Ernst & Erik Oleson | March 10, 2023 | |||
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Philo goes to track down the Sparas. In Ragusa, the real Argeus, Imogen and Ezra try to survive the Pact attack. They head inland away from the battle. Ezra tries to get between Argeus and Imogen, then pulls a gun on them when a Pact patrol rides by. Argeus holds him down, and weImogen holds his mouth and nose, suffocating him. Imogen, tired of being controlled, chooses freedom, even over Argeus' love if need be. They are found by Kastor and the New Dawn, and brought to a mass grave. They are told to put Ezra's body into it. Leonora says the Pact has been driven back, and wants to send them back to the Burgue along with Kastor as emissaries. She wants terms for peace between the Burgue and the New Dawn. Millworthy arranges for her to speak to parliament. Argeus and Imogen remain cold to each other. Philo tells Dombey the Sparas is male. They find Burgish marines that were hiding in the ships floating in on the tide: They were planning to retake Tirnanoc. Vignette arranges to meet with the Black Ravens. She gets knocked out and taken by the Ravens. Kaine explains to her about the troops hiding in the ships. Millworthy admits to Philo the only way he could convince the military to take the fae home was that they were going there anyway to take back the old colonies in Tirnanoc. With the Pact on the point of surrendering, the Black Ravens have allied with the New Dawn to bring revolution to the Burgue. Leonora wants Vignette to lead the Black Ravens. | ||||||||
| 17 | 9 | "Battle Lines" | Julian Holmes | Amanda Krader & Tania Lotia | March 17, 2023 | |||
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The Haruspex traps Tourmaline in a mirror and gives her more power. Philo plans to trap and kill the Sparas using Tourmaline to magically draw it to her. Leonora convinces Vignette to lead the Black Ravens. With more attacks on the way, Imogen refuses to negotiate for the New Dawn in parliament. Philo goes to Dombey for a machine gun to kill the Sparas. Imogen and Argeus convince Kastor to send a message to the New Dawn. Argeus must take it since humans are not allowed on the Row. Philo takes a Sparas tooth that Tourmaline needs from Berwick's body. Before he leaves, Argeus and Imogen repair their relationship. Vignette escorts Argeus to the New Dawn, and Leonora realizes Kastor sent not a message, but a warning about Argeus and Imogen. Millworthy convinces parliament members not to burn the Row and start a war with the fae. The Black Ravens plan an attack. Philo tries and fails to talk Vignette out of it. Leonora sends Imogen Argeus' horn as a warning to speak to parliament or else. The Black Ravens bomb a tavern the cops frequent, killing all but one, who sees them. Tourmaline has a vision to see where the Sparas is, who is revealed to be Major Vir. | ||||||||
| 18 | 10 | "Carnival Row" | Andy Goddard | Sarah Byrd & Erik Oleson | March 17, 2023 | |||
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Philo realizes the Sparas plans to attack parliament, and goes to stop them. Leonora plans an ambush for the Burgish men who will soon overrun the police and storm the Row. Philo is nearly hung by the Burgish men. Imogen realizes Major Vir is with the New Dawn. She feigns fainting to warn Millworthy. He quietly confronts Major Vir. Argeus escapes. Dombey opens the Row's gate to the mob, and they begin massacring the fae. Philo reaches parliament. Kaine and Vignette use themselves as bait and get the mob to chase them into the square used for the ambush. Philo tells Millworthy Vir is the Sparas. Vir overhears them and attacks. Tourmaline draws the Sparas to her. Kaine dies, and Leonora tries to shoot Vignette before springing the ambush. Darius in Marrok form tries to protect Tourmaline from the Sparas, who also uses her magic to defend herself and Darius. Vignette and Philo also show up to help. It grabs Philo, who shoots it from inside its grasp. Darius dies. Philo drags the Sparas' body to square, announcing that parliament is safe, and the New Dawn try to go back into hiding. Argeus finds Leonora and attempts to turn her in, but she kills herself. An off duty cop from the mob shoots Philo, who is in turn shot by Dombey. Years later, Millworthy is back to being a performer with his kobolds. Philo address parliament, turning down the chancellery in favor of a full fae chancellor. Argeus reattaches his horn with gold. He and Imogen are now married and introduce electric lights to the city. Vignette and Tourmaline return to Tirnanoc and marry. The fae and Burgish get along better. Dombey is now an inspector. Philo and Millworthy enjoy the peace on Carnival Row. | ||||||||
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Development
On January 9, 2015, Amazon signed a development deal for the series which, at the time had Guillermo del Toro on board as a co-writer, executive producer, and director. The series, set to be co-written by del Toro, Travis Beacham, and Rene Echeverria, is based on a feature film spec script written by Beacham, entitled A Killing on Carnival Row. The company ordered three scripts with the expectation that if the series went into production del Toro would direct the first episode.[5] On June 6, 2016, the production was given a pilot order with the previously announced creative team still set to be involved.[6]
On May 10, 2017, the production was given a series order with Beacham and Echeverria still executive producing, and with Echeverria expected to act as showrunner. Filmmaker Paul McGuigan was set to direct the series. By this point, del Toro had stepped away from the project, as his feature film schedule did not permit him to stay on as an executive producer as the project moved forward.[7] On November 10, 2017, filmmaker Jon Amiel replaced McGuigan as director.[8]
In July 2019, Amazon renewed the series for a second season.[9] In November 2022, Amazon announced that the second season would serve as the series's last.[10]
Casting
In August 2017, Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne were cast in the series' two lead roles.[11][12] On September 22, 2017, it was reported that David Gyasi, Karla Crome, Indira Varma, and Tamzin Merchant had joined the main cast.[13] In October 2017, it was announced that Simon McBurney, Alice Krige, and Jared Harris had been cast in recurring roles.[14][15] On November 3, 2017, it was reported Ariyon Bakare was joining the series in a recurring capacity.[16] On December 15, 2017, it was announced that Andrew Gower and Jamie Harris had been cast in recurring roles.[17] On January 30, 2018, it was reported that Scott Reid had joined the cast as a series regular.[18] On October 8, 2018, it was reported that Anna Rust had joined the cast in a recurring capacity.[19]
Filming
The series spent almost five months in pre-production before filming began. The series was shot entirely in the Czech Republic throughout 108 shooting days.[20] Principal photography began in October 2017.[21] Much of the work was done at the Barrandov Studios in Prague, while locations included the city of Liberec, the chateaux in Frýdlant and Krnsko, and at the Prachov Rocks (Prachovské skály) area.[22] Filming for the first season concluded on March 14, 2018.[20]
Production on the second season commenced in November 2019 but was halted in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. As of the first week of May, preparations for resumption of production were underway.[23][24] However, by June 2020, Amazon had yet to resume production on the series.[25] Upon production halting due to the pandemic, the production team were reportedly three weeks away from concluding filming for the season.[26] Filming for the second season continued in August 2020 in the Czech Republic.[27] In a February 2021 interview, Tamzin Merchant revealed that only five out of eight episodes were wrapped up.[28] Filming for the second season officially wrapped in September 2021.[29] Production for the second season resumed in May 2021 in the Czech Republic, mainly to film the remaining scenes which involved Orlando Bloom, who was not available in 2020 due to the birth of his child.[30][31][32]
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On June 3, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on August 30, 2019.[33] The second and final season premiered on February 17, 2023, with episodes releasing weekly in batches of two episodes.[10]
The Chicago Tribune wrote that the show is about government oppression, sexism, and elitism.[34] Travis Beacham, the original script writer and one of the executive producers, said that the show is also about class, race, and immigration. Despite the script being written 17 years before the show's production, the same issues were just as relevant by the time it aired. The show, based on a Victorian fantasy setting, served as a hypothetical space where political and social issues that reflected the real world could be safely discussed.[35]
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Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season of Carnival Row holds a 57% approval rating based on 68 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Beautiful, but bloated, Carnival Row boasts meticulously crafted mythology and luscious world building—unfortunately its story of haves and have nots simply has too much going on to create anything cohesive."[36] The second season holds a 44% approval rating based on 16 reviews.[36] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[37]
Sam Brooks of the New Zealand-based The Spinoff noted that the premise of the show is "a mish-mash of influences and inspirations, from Neil Gaiman to Mortal Engines (the novels not the film)".[38][39]
Accolades
Carnival Row was nominated for Best Genre Series at the 2020 Satellite Awards.[40]
Other media
- Carnival Row: Tangle in the Dark – An audiobook about the first meeting of Tourmaline and Vignette
- Carnival Row: From the Dark – A comic starring Rycroft
- Carnival Row: Sparrowhawk – A comic starring Vignette
- Carnival Row – A roleplaying setting for the Cypher System by Monte Cook Games
- Tales of Carnival Row – A graphic novel anthology set in the Burgue.
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