The faeries of Tirnanoc have been forced to flee their home due to an invasion by a more ruthless species of fae called the Pact. The Burgue at first fought on the side of the Tirnanoc faeries, but ultimately abandoned the fight and went home, leaving Tirnanoc to the ravages of the Pact. During the war, a faerie called Vignette Stonemoss (Cara Delevingne) met a human soldier called Rycroft Philostrate (Orlando Bloom), and the two of them fell in love - only to be separated during a battle, with Vignette believing that Philo had died.
Several years later, Vignette joins the rest of the refugees in The Burgue, where she discovers that Philo is alive and well and serving as a detective with The Burgue’s police force. Alongside these two star-crossed lovers, The Burgue is populated by a diverse and magical mix of characters - faeries, pucks, and humans. Here’s a guide to who’s who in Carnival Row.
Cara Delevingne as Vignette Stonemoss - Originally the guardian of an ancient fae library, Vignette took on a very different role after The Burgue retreated from the war: helping fae refugees to escape Tirnanoc. Though some view her as a hero for saving so many from the Pact, Vignette feels guilt over the fact that she effectively helped sell them into indentured servitude to humans.
Orlando Bloom as Rycroft Philostrate - A war veteran turned police officer, Philo is one of the few members of The Burgue’s constabulary who is sympathetic to the fae and actually willing to investigate when one of them is murdered. This doesn’t make him popular among his colleagues, but his connections to the fae make him uniquely skilled at unravelling difficult cases.
Karla Crome as Tourmaline Larou - An old friend and lover of Vignette’s who escaped Tirnanoc and now works in a brothel, providing services to customers who enjoy the unique qualities of faerie sex.
Jared Harris as Absalom Breakspear - A member of the Commonwealth Party in The Burgue’s Parliament, who is fighting for the rights of the so-called “critch” to remain as refugees in the city. However, Absalom’s political influence is threatened by the scandalous antics of his spoiled son.
Indira Varma as Piety Breakspear - On the surface a supportive wife to Absalom, Piety Breakspear has her own agenda in The Burgue, and connections to the fae that can help her to achieve it.
Arty Froushan as Jonah Breakspear - Absalom and Piety’s only son and the shame of the Absalom family, Jonah spends most of his time getting drunk and having fun in faerie brothels on Carnival Row, and is one of Tourmaline’s clients.
Andrew Gower as Ezra Spurnrose - The young head of the wealthy and snooty Spurnrose household, Ezra owns the ship that’s used to transport fae refugees from Tirnanoc to The Burgue. He’s hit with financial disaster when the ship sinks in a storm, and claims Vignette’s indentured servitude as recompense.
Tamzin Merchant as Imogen Spurnrose - Ezra’s sister, a beautiful socialite who looks down on the fae, and pucks especially. Needless to say, Imogen is horrified when a puck moves into the neighborhood.
David Gyasi as Agreus Astrayon - The Spurnrose’s newest neighbor, a wealthy and mysterious puck who appears unphased by Imogen’s efforts to make him feel unwelcome.
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