Starring Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey, Fellow Travelers (adapted from Thomas Mallon’s novel of the same name) chronicles a decades-long gay love story set deep in the heart of McCarthy-era Washington, D.C. Told in dual timelines (the 1950s story is interspersed with flash-forward sequences from the early days of the AIDS crisis), the eight-episode limited series sees timid, idealistic, and painfully catholic Tim (Bailey) quickly fall for the charming, Don Draper-esque Hawk (Bomer) in a romance that’s as passionate as it is doomed.
Equal parts D.C. walk-and-talk politics, steamy queer romance, and paranoia-ridden espionage thriller, Fellow Travelers takes a fascinating, tragedy-ridden dark spot in United States history and makes it the backdrop for an intoxicating love story. With flash-forward sequences in the opening moments of the series establishing that Hawk is married with children in the “present” day, there’s a constant sense of doomed tragedy surrounding Tim and Hawk’s romance—but that’s what makes it so gripping.
As Tim, Bailey is intensely endearing—shy and twitchy, but with a steely resolve and a sincere heart that make him an easy mark (at least, at first) for the smooth-talking and always-put-together Hawk. From the early days of their relationship, it’s clear that Tim and Hawk come from entirely different worlds and want entirely different things—but despite the culture clash, the undeniable chemistry between the two of them keeps their relationship (and the series as a whole) full of fiery passion.
Though grounded in real-world politics, Fellow Travelers doesn’t feel like a mere regurgitation of other period dramas about the AIDS crisis, or a morality piece about the cruelty of McCarthy’s government toward the LGBTQ+ community. There’s a very real, very compelling romance at the heart of this series, fostered by writer/creator Ron Nyswaner and made tangible through Bailey and Bomer’s complementary but starkly different performances.
The series shares a remarkable narrative and thematic similarity to last year’s My Policeman, albeit executed with markedly more insight, artistry, and deftness. From the mesmerizing title sequence to the score and the 50s costuming, Fellow Travelers is an essential piece of queer history (and literature) brought to life with clear affection and artistry. TV-MA, eight hour-long episodes.
