Can a city of refugees and humans survive a dark, brewing conspiracy of murder?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the fantasy world of Carnival Row, displaced mythological beings struggle to survive as oppressed refugees within a human city. As social tensions simmer, a detective investigates a series of brutal murders, uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the fragile peace between the human citizens and the growing immigrant population.

Created by René Echevarria and Travis Beacham, Carnival Row is based on Beacham's original unproduced film spec script, A Killing on Carnival Row. The series centers on the Republic of the Burgue, where mythological creatures have fled their war-torn homelands. These refugees face systemic oppression and social friction, creating an environment where an uneasy peace is constantly threatened by the madness of power and unresolved conflict.

The narrative follows Rycroft Philostrate, an inspector of the Burgue Constabulary played by Orlando Bloom. Philo is a veteran of the war and a half-fae passing as human, a secret that complicates his professional life and his sympathies for the fae. His investigation into a string of unsolved murders puts him at odds with colleagues like Sergeant Dombey, who harbors deep-seated racist beliefs against the fae. Philo's past is further entangled with Vignette Stonemoss, a faerie and former lover who, believing Philo dead, has joined the Black Raven, a group of fae extremists.

The series spans two seasons, with the first premiering on Amazon Prime Video on August 30, 2019. Following a renewal in July 2019, the second season debuted on February 17, 2023, and served as the conclusion to the story on March 17, 2023. Beyond the central mystery, the show explores the lives of various figures, including the wealthy faun Agreus Astrayon, who faces rejection from high society, and the political machinations of the Breakspear family, led by Chancellor Absalom Breakspear and his wife, Lady Piety. As the series progresses, revolutionary movements like the New Dawn, led by the faun Leonora, emerge to challenge the status quo, forcing characters from all walks of life to confront the reality of their divided society.

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