Watch Carnival Row

Carnival Row is a fantasy thriller television series created by Travis Beacham and René Echevarria, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in August 2019. The show is set in a Victorian-inspired world where mythical creatures and humans coexist, but not always peacefully. It stars Orlando Bloom as Rycroft Philostrate, a human detective, and Cara Delevingne as Vignette Stonemoss, a faerie, who both become embroiled in a string of murders that threatens to expose the fragile balance between the species.

The show takes place in the city of Burgue, a bustling metropolis that serves as a melting pot for humans and creatures alike. However, tensions flare up when a series of gruesome murders take place that echo a shared history of war and trauma between the two groups. Philostrate, who has a secret past with Vignette, is tasked with solving the murders, which lead him down a dangerous path of deceit, corruption, and betrayal.

Vignette, a former soldier in the faerie army, finds herself in Burgue after fleeing her homeland during the war. She works as a waitress in a faerie brothel, trying to make a life for herself despite the discrimination and violence that faeries face in Burgue. She soon becomes involved with a group of faerie rebels who are plotting a revolution against the oppressive human government.

Meanwhile, Philostrate must navigate his complicated relationship with Vignette while also dealing with the growing tension between humans and faeries in the city. He is aided by his colleague, Lieutenant Berwick (played by David Gyasi), who shares his determination to solve the murder case at all costs. However, their investigation leads them to some dark places, including the seedy underbelly of Burgue's criminal underworld and a powerful political dynasty with their own agenda.

The show also features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Tamzin Merchant as Imogen Spurnrose, a wealthy human socialite who becomes entangled in the murder case; Andrew Gower as Ezra Spurnrose, Imogen's conniving brother who has his own secrets; Karla Crome as Tourmaline Larou, a faerie poet who forms a close bond with Vignette; Jared Harris as Absalom Breakspear, the powerful Chancellor of Burgue who is determined to preserve the status quo; and Indira Varma as Piety Breakspear, Absalom's manipulative and ambitious wife.

In addition to the sprawling world-building and intricate storyline, Carnival Row also stands out for its stunning production design, which brings the gritty, otherworldly atmosphere of Burgue to life. From the intricate faerie costumes to the bustling streets of the city, the show immerses viewers in a richly detailed and fully realized world that feels both fantastical and grounded in reality.

Overall, Carnival Row is a gripping, complex, and visually stunning show that explores timely themes of discrimination, inequality, and political corruption through the lens of a dark and fantastical world. It's a must-watch for fans of both fantasy and thriller genres, and offers plenty of suspense, intrigue, and heart to keep viewers invested throughout its run.

Carnival Row is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between August 30, 2019 and on Amazon