This February will see the debut of the second and final season ofCarnival Rowon Prime Video. The series has had a long and rocky road to the small screen, from its origins as a highly sought-after screenplay to a number of behind the scenes creative changes. And as if that wasn’t enough, the COVID-19 pandemic kneecapped the second season’s production, leading to a major delay in between seasons. Honestly, it’s a miracle thatCarnival Rowstill exists.
The Show Started Life As A Feature Film Screenplay
Carnival Rowdidn’t originally start out as a prestige show for a streaming service. In fact, it was actually meant to be a feature film. Series co-creatorTravis Beachaminitially conceived the world ofCarnival Rowin his spec screenplayA Killing on Carnival Rowin 2005. The script, which centered on detective Rycroft Philostrate (Orlando Bloom) and his investigation of a series of grisly murders in a fantasy-inspired Victorian setting, immediately earned a place on the Black List. This was a major deal because the Black List is often heralded as the number one place to find movies to develop; films includingJunoandSlumdog Millionairehave landed on the list and even gone on to win critical praise as well as awards.
And while Beacham’s original script does feature elements that would make it into the final version ofCarnival Row, the end result is far different. For starters, Philo isn’t in a relationship with Vignette Stonemoss (Cara Delevingne) but rather with her friend Tourmaline Larou (Karla Crome). Simultaneously, the elements featuring the culture clash between Fae and humanity were rather downplayed. And Beacham took the chance to put in more fantasy creatures, including werewolves and lizard men rather appropriately titled “Komodos.”
The Dawn of Guillermo del Toro
Eventually, Amazon would snap upA Killing on Carnival Rowfor development as a series. The streamer was backed by none other thanGuillermo del Torohimself, who even had a history with Beacham. Del Toro had turned Beacham’s spec scriptPacific Riminto a unique blockbuster experience, and the mixing of historical elements with fantasy was right up his alley. He was even slated to co-write and executive produce the series, as well as direct the first episode.
However, del Toro’s film schedule eventually got in the way, and he departedCarnival Row.It joined a long list of projectshe was attached to that never got off the ground, but the series still marched forward with Beacham andRene Echeverriaacting as showrunners. Del Toro’s departure was only the start of the series' creative shakeups.
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A Revolving Door Of Creatives
Paul McGuigan(Sherlock,Victor Frankenstein) was tapped to helm the series in del Toro’s absence. However, he was soon replaced byJon Amiel(The Tudors,Hemlock Grove)…who was then replaced byThor Freudenthal. Freudenthal’s involvement was more than likely due to his connection withMarc Guggenheim, who boarded the series as an executive producer; Freudenthal had directedPercy Jackson: Sea of Monstersand episodes ofArrow, which Guggenheim writing for both projects. Amiel would eventually direct the last two episodes of the first season.
Despite the creative turmoil, the series eventually filmed its first season and made its debut in 2019. Production on Season 2 began in early 2020, but soon halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And as if that wasn’t an issue,Beacham eventually departed the series, withErik Olesonboarding as showrunner in his place. Even with all the creative overhaul it encountered,Carnival Row’s existence proves that even creative differences aren’t enough to kill a good idea.
