Paramount+‘s mini-series Fellow Travelers, has Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer teamed up for a romance that sizzles in a politically wild era. It kicks off in 1952, the very night when Dwight D. Eisenhower clinches the presidency. Matt Bomer steps into the shoes of Hawkins Fuller, a guy who’s rolling in dough and pulling the strings in McCarthy-era D.C. politics. Hawkins, the master of keeping things uncomplicated, suddenly crosses paths with Tim Laughlin (Jonathan Bailey). Tim is like a burst of sunshine, filled with big dreams and boundless faith. Their collision sparks a love affair that’s hotter than a firecracker.
Showtime and Paramount’s Fellow Travelers series is a gripping political thriller and an epic love story that stretches across generations, with its roots firmly planted in one of the darkest periods in American history.
When and Where to Watch Fellow Travelers
Fellow Travelers series released on October 27 in the US on Showtime and on October 28 in the UK on Paramount+. Don’t miss the chance to add it to your autumn watchlist!
Check Out Trailer for The Fellow Travelers Below!
The Fellow Traveler trailer serves up some nail-biting drama! It’s all about Hawkins and Tim, two intriguing figures crossing paths in the high-stakes world of political power. It teases their hidden, potentially explosive romance with flashbacks that keep you on the edge of your seat.
What is Fellow Travelers About?
Paramount TV series revolves around Hawkins Fuller, a charismatic political insider who prefers a scandal-free life. His resolve to avoid emotional entanglements is tested when he meets Tim Laughlin, an idealistic and devout young man.
This epic love story unfolds just as Joseph McCarthy and Roy Cohn decide to stir the pot and declare an all-out war on “subversives and sexual deviants.” It’s a wild ride through a dark chapter in American history, and our lovebirds are caught right in the middle of it!
Over four decades, viewers follow five central characters – Hawk, Tim, Marcus, Lucy, and Frankie – as they cross paths during the Vietnam War protests in the 1960s, the disco-era hedonism of the 1970s, and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, all while confronting their inner and outer challenges.
“It’s so compelling to have a powerful attraction between people who view life very differently,” says Ron Nyswaner, the show’s creator and executive producer. “They are, in many ways, not suited to each other, but they are powerfully drawn together. And they’re in a very high-pressured, high stakes environment, where their attraction to each other could ruin their lives?”
Who Stars in Fellow Travelers?
Fellow Travelers, created for television by Oscar nominee Ron Nyswaner, boasts a stellar cast. Jonathan Bailey, known for Netflix‘s period drama Bridgerton, portrays Tim Laughlin. While Matt Bomer, famous for Magic Mike and White Collar plays Hawkins Fuller.
Joining them are Jelani Alladin (The Walking Dead: World Beyond) who plays Marcus Hooks, Allison Williams (Get Out) plays Lucy Smith and Noah J. Ricketts (American Gods) plays Frankie Hines. Linus Roache will play Senator Wesley Smith while Chris Bauer is Senator Joe McCarthy and Will Brill is Roy Cohn.
Reception and Impact of Fellow Travelers
Jonathan Bailey and Matt Bomer have discussed the significance of their roles in the series. They highlight the authentic and nuanced portrayal of a complicated queer relationship, focusing on power dynamics. The series breaks new ground with its intimate scenes and explores the trust and intimacy that develop in a society against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Bomer emphasizes the value of such intimacy in the face of societal opposition, stating,
“There’s a level of trust and intimacy that’s even more valuable when society is against you. You keep your secrets together.”
The link between queerness and intimacy is a vital theme, and the creators of Fellow Travelers demonstrate a deep understanding of this connection. From the very first passionate encounter between Tim and Hawk, where their bodies collide with raw intensity, to later sequences where their skin becomes one in a liquid dance on pristine white sheets, the intimacy portrayed here is nothing short of breathtaking.
What sets this series apart is its unflinching honesty in portraying queerness, making the sensual scenes truly remarkable. Episode seven, in particular, features a brief yet powerful moment where Hawk and Tim explore a gay cruising spot in the 1970s. This scene stands as a testament to the care and artistry of the show’s creators. As the pair strolls through the woods, glimmers of different bodies emerge through the trees, and the sun bathes their skin as if they’ve stepped into a divine garden.
Ending Notes
Fellow Travelers really knocks it out of the park when it comes to telling a tough, behind-closed-doors love story. It’s got this beautiful dim lighting and looks like something you’d watch in a movie theater, not on your TV. Instead of cramming everything into a super short movie, they spread it out over eight one-hour episodes. So, you get to dive into three decades of historical drama. It’s like a breath of fresh air for the LGBTQ+ crowd.
