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Season 1 – Carnival Row

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2:02

2019

Drama

Fantasy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

69 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

A growing population of mythological immigrant creatures struggles to coexist with humans after the creatures' exotic homelands are invaded by the empires of man. The creatures are forbidden to live, love or fly with freedom, but hope lives in darkness. Human detective Rycroft "Philo" Philostrate and a refugee faerie, Vignette Stonemoss, rekindle a dangerous affair despite being in an increasingly intolerant society. Vignette has a secret that endangers Philo's world during his most important case yet -- a string of gruesome murders threatening the uneasy peace of the Row.

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Critics Consensus

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.

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Scott Bryan

BBC.com

A lot of it is just Amazon going: 'Look we've got money. Look how much money we've spent.'

Jul 15, 2020

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John Doyle

Globe and Mail

It's recommended; a period costume drama on acid, and as strangely carnal as it is solidly and politically aware.

Sep 26, 2019

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Steve Greene

IndieWire

Despite those momentary bright spots in an ongoing bleak collection of fates, Carnival Row largely meanders through the world of its own making.

Rated: C

Sep 3, 2019

Full Review

Samantha Puc

The Beat

Fantasy series [seem] to believe that it’s unrealistic to center people of color in stories that metaphorically pick apart their lived experiences. Any poignancy achieved in Carnival Row‘s commentary falls apart under scrutiny.

Jul 9, 2024

Full Review

Collier Jennings

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Even if its message is somewhat heavy-handed, Carnival Row will draw viewers in with its complex characters, timely parallels to current events, and a universe rich with detail and history.

Rated: 8

Jun 25, 2021

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Shah Shahid

Blank Page Beatdown

There's substance in Carnival Row for those looking for it, while it can also just be a fluff genre piece for others.

Nov 18, 2020

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Rohit R

Very underrated. Has a compelling storyline and the fantasy world it is based on has many of the same problems confronting humans. Orlando Bloom is somber and restrained. Highly recommend!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/25

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Jeff o

This show isnt perfect.. but its by far one of my favorites.. i think the story and characters are very well done

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

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Juan R

Excelente trama de misterio y fantasía, así como un excelente manejo de la narrativa y los diálogos, increíble guion y espectaculares actuaciones, todo en torno de una buena historia.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/24

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Gracen E

Sometimes critics don’t support anything novel, interesting, or different from what we’ve seen before. Other times they just support the monotonous creations of age old franchises. It’s easy for them to just lackadaisically support the status quo and check out; another day’s handiwork properly sorted. At least some of them hit the mark. Amazon is the problem, not the show itself.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/22/24

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Craig B

The Critics consensus says ‘unfortunately its story of haves and have nots simply has too much going on.' If it didn't have enough going on, the critics would be saying it's poorly put together with a lack of depth. Well lead by Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne, Carnival Row is an impressive show for fans of fantasy based on a solid foundation of a plethora of interesting characters and wonderful worlds. A worthwhile and rewarding adventure particularly for those who can keep up with ‘too much going on'.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/24

Full Review

boethius61

I love everything about Carnival Row. Superbly acted with Bloom displaying an ever growing maturity, Delevingne is wonderful and all the supporting cast are fantastic, especially Jamie Harris. It's amazingly shot with beautiful and complex sets. There is a lore to the world that hints at a vastness and history left to our imaginations. Unlike most fantasy out there Carnival Row forgoes the tried and true quasi-medieval backdrop in favor of a Victorian-era London. It works brilliantly! The politics are deep and complicated without the shallow black and white, good-vs-evil simplification that pervades far too much literature and cinema. Numerous factions, all of which are deeply flawed, jokey and struggle, making mistakes along the way. In all of this Carnival Row is an honest political commentary seeing the darkness inside every ideology. And all the while, there is a mystery and adventure playing over the surface. Played out in the lives of trouble characters in troubled relationships. It's a must see. Loved it. Sad it is over.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/16/23

Full Review

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Orlando Bloom

Rycroft "Philo" Philostrate

Cara Delevingne

Vignette Stonemoss

David Gyasi

Agreus

Karla Crome

Tourmaline

Indira Varma

Piety Breakspear

Tamzin Merchant

Imogen Spurnrose

Episode 1

Aired Aug 30, 2019

Some Dark God Wakes

Philo investigates a mysterious assailant with a grudge against the fae; Vignette arrives in the Burgue seeking a fresh start; Imogen meets her new neighbor; in Parliament, the fight over the critch heats up.

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Episode 2

Aired Aug 30, 2019

Aisling

Philo investigates a mysterious fae's murder; Tourmaline introduces Vignette to a new group of faeries; Imogen tries to have Agreus removed from the neighborhood; Jonah disappears.

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Episode 3

Aired Aug 30, 2019

Kingdoms of the Moon

Philo, as a Burguish soldier, was once tasked with protecting faerish mimasery; as the Pact bears down on them, Philo meets Vignette and finds love in the most unlikely of places.

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Episode 4

Aired Aug 30, 2019

The Joining of Unlike Things

Philo investigates his childhood headmaster's murder; Vignette ingratiates herself into the Black Raven; Imogen hatches a plan to help her brother; Breakspear goes on the offensive with Longerbane.

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Episode 5

Aired Aug 30, 2019

Grieve No More

Philo consults a Haruspex in an attempt to find clues about the killer; Vignette grows closer with her newfound family; a new player makes a splash in Parliament; Imogen brings Agreus into her circle.

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Episode 6

Aired Aug 30, 2019

Unaccompanied Fae

The pieces of the puzzle begin to come together for Philo; Vignette finds home in a place she never expected; Jonah sneaks off to see someone he shouldn't; Imogen takes a costly risk.

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Episode 7

Aired Aug 30, 2019

The World to Come

Philo is thrown into jail, where he finds unexpected help from Vignette; elsewhere, Ezra disapproves of Imogen's new lifestyle; Sophie offers Jonah a deal.

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Episode 8

Aired Aug 30, 2019

The Gloaming

As tensions rise on Carnival Row, Philo must confront both darkness incarnate and the evil that controls it; Vignette gleans the true nature of the Burgue; Imogen makes a choice she cannot take back; Breakspear's secrets catch up to him.

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