In this HBO drama, creator Daniel Knauf paints a fantastical, often bizarre, but ultimately compelling world of nomads and entertainers at a traveling carnival, all of whom must struggle to survive in the tough economic times of the 1930s. Led by manager Samson (Michael J. Anderson) the troupe includes reluctant carnie Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl), fortune-teller Sophie (Clea DuVall) and reckless drunk Professor Lodz (Patrick Bauchau).