Prime Video’s “Realistic” Urban Fantasy Series Is Still a Must-Watch for Steampunk Fans

Most fantasy shows aren’t described as ‘realistic,’ but viewers often use that word to describe a fantastic Prime Video series from 2019. It’s still highly recommended for anyone who enjoys steampunk, neo-noir mysteries, crime dramas, and political thrillers. The show truly had everything, and a fantastic cast brought it all to life over two amazing seasons.

Created by René Echevarria and Travis Beacham, Carnival Row is a fantasy series that first aired on August 30, 2019. The eight-episode first season tells the story of mythical creatures struggling to survive as refugees in a human world. With a Victorian setting and themes that resonate with current events, the show tackles difficult issues like immigration, prejudice, and social inequality. Its exploration of these topics feels particularly relevant today, making it a worthwhile watch.

Featuring a talented cast including Orlando Bloom, Cara Delevingne, and Indira Varma, Carnival Row quickly gained a dedicated fanbase. However, the show faced delays, with four years passing between its first and second seasons, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, it was canceled after season two, also impacted by the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. Fortunately, the creators, Echevarria and Beacham, anticipated the cancellation and were able to craft a satisfying conclusion for viewers. Here’s a description of the series:

After their magical homelands are conquered by humans, a diverse group of mythical creatures try to build new lives alongside humanity, but face prejudice and restrictions on their freedoms. Amidst rising intolerance, human detective Rycroft Philostrate and faerie refugee Vignette Stonemoss begin a risky romance. However, Vignette is hiding a secret that could jeopardize Philo’s career and the fragile peace of the city as he investigates a series of disturbing murders.

‘Carnival Row’ Was Urban Fantasy at Its Best

Prime Video

I was really disappointed to hear Carnival Row didn’t get a full run, but what we did get was fantastic. Seriously, this show was urban fantasy done right. The attention to detail was incredible – the costumes, the sets, the way they built this whole, complex world with its own history and myths… it all felt so real and lived-in. And clearly, I wasn’t alone in thinking that! Fans on Rotten Tomatoes really loved it, giving it a solid 79% score on the Popcornmeter.

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Despite a lukewarm reception from critics – it earned a 48% ‘rotten’ rating – Carnival Row proved to be a captivating series for fantasy enthusiasts. While the pacing occasionally slowed down, these moments effectively built suspense as the intricate detective story unfolded. Many viewers found it thoroughly engaging from beginning to end, and as one put it in their review:

I absolutely love Carnival Row! It’s a show that really grabbed me from the start, mixing fantasy and mystery with these fascinating observations about society. Honestly, everything about it works – the story is so compelling, and the actors are just phenomenal. It’s truly a standout series, and I can’t recommend it enough.

2026-01-14 16:26

‘Carnival Row’ Was Urban Fantasy at Its Best

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