About Carnivale

Carnivale is an American television series, which aired on HBO from 2003 to 2005. The series traces the life of a young carnival worker named Ben Hawkins and a preacher named Brother Justin, each slowly realizing that they are the embodiments of good and evil respectively. Set during the Dust Bowl era, their paths inevitably cross, setting the stage for a climactic battle between Good and Evil.

Making / Production

The series was created by Daniel Knauf, produced by Howard Klein and Robert Keyghobad, and features a detailed period re-creation of the Depression-era United States. Though it suffered from low viewership, it received critical acclaim for its unique visual style and character development.

Actors

• Nick Stahl as Ben Hawkins: A brooding and mysterious individual who possesses healing abilities.
• Clancy Brown as Brother Justin Crowe: A charismatic preacher on a path of spiritual discovery and darkness.
• Amy Madigan as Iris Crowe: Brother Justin's protective and devoted sister.
• Michael J. Anderson as Samson: The dwarf manager of the traveling carnival.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series uses an extensive amount of Christian and Gnostic symbolism, with references to biblical tales, mythology, and tarot card imagery.
• Carnivale was cancelled after only two seasons due to its high production costs, despite a dedicated fan following.
• Each episode of the series cost approximately $2 million to produce.

Awards

Carnivale has won five Primetime Emmy Awards out of fifteen nominations, and has also been nominated for a Satellite Award and a Visual Effects Society Award.

Quotes

• "Before the beginning, after the Great War between Heaven and Hell, God created the earth." - Samson, Opening Lines
• "Every prophet in his house." - Brother Justin Crowe

Music, Soundtrack

• The eerily atmospheric score for 'Carnivale' was composed by Jeff Beal.
• The song "Love Me or Leave Me" by Ruth Etting is featured in multiple episodes.