Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer are making waves in the entertainment industry with their new show “Fellow Travelers,” a political thriller with a profound romantic storyline set over several decades. The show, premiering on October 27, 2023, on Showtime, delves into the relationship between Bomer’s character, a D.C. fixer named Hawkins Fuller, and Bailey’s character, an up-and-coming staffer named Tim Laughlin. Their story, rooted in the McCarthy era, unfolds over four decades, highlighting significant historical events and cultural shifts, particularly in queer culture.
“Fellow Travelers” is an adaptation of Thomas Mallon’s book and takes its viewers on a journey from the monochrome tones of the 1950s through to the neon pop of color in the 1980s. It not only captures the essence of each era through its meticulous costuming, makeup, and production design but also shines a light on the evolving landscape of queer culture and identity.
The series also features Allison Williams in the role of Lucy Smith, Hawkins’ increasingly suspicious partner. An interesting aspect of the show is the contrast it provides with another queer couple in the storyline, played by Jelani Alladin and Noah J. Ricketts, who face additional scrutiny and challenges due to their race and profession, with Ricketts’ character being a drag performer.
Both Bailey and Bomer, who are openly gay in real life, have expressed the significance of this series in terms of representing queer history and culture. They emphasize the relevance of such stories not just in understanding the past but also in how they resonate with ongoing themes and challenges in the present day.
Their collaboration and exploration of such deep and complex themes in “Fellow Travelers” undoubtedly mark a significant moment in contemporary television, offering a blend of historical context and emotional depth that promises to captivate audiences.
