Fellow Travelers: A Comprehensive Guide to the Cast and Characters
Fellow Travelers showcases an exceptional ensemble cast, featuring Matt Bomer as the captivating Howard 'Hawk' Fuller, Jonathan Bailey as the charismatic Tim Laughlin, and Allison Williams as the enchanting Lucy Smith With Chris Bauer as the formidable Senator Joseph R McCarthy, Jelani Alladin as the compelling Marcus Gaines, and Noah J Ricketts as the talented Frankie Hines, this remarkable supporting cast brings depth and authenticity to this enthralling production
Summary
The new Showtime series "Fellow Travelers" follows a secretive romantic affair set during McCarthyism in 1950s America, based on a 2007 novel by Thomas Mallon.
Chronicling the clandestine love story between Howard Fuller (played by Matt Bomer) and Tim Laughlin (played by Jonathan Bailey), this series spans multiple decades and delves into significant historical moments including the Vietnam War protests and the AIDS crisis.
Joining the ensemble of skilled actors are Allison Williams, Chris Bauer, Jelani Alladin, Noah J. Ricketts, and others who bring their own unique talents and experiences to their characters in the show.
Content of the Better Way:
Premiering on October 27, 2023, Fellow Travelers is an exciting new Showtime series based on the 2007 novel by Thomas Mallon. Set during the height of McCarthyism in 1950s America, this romantic political thriller follows the fictional characters Howard Fuller and Tim Laughlin as they embark on a secretive and passionate decade-spanning affair.
Over the course of the series, viewers will witness Fuller and Laughlin's hidden romance unfold amidst the backdrop of various historical events. From the Vietnam War protests in the 1960s to the disco era of the 1970s and the devastating AIDS crisis of the 1980s, their love story navigates through challenging times.
Leading the cast are Matt Bomer, known for his roles in "White Collar" and "The Normal Heart," as Howard 'Hawk' Fuller, and Jonathan Bailey, famous for his performances in "Bridgerton" and "Crashing," as Tim Laughlin. Together, they bring to life two characters who must maintain double lives in order to preserve their forbidden love. The series will consist of eight episodes and will conclude on December 15, 2023. Fans can look forward to watching Fellow Travelers on both Showtime and Paramount+.
Matt Bomer As Howard 'Hawk' Fuller
Matt Bomer, known for his roles in Flightplan, In Time, and Magic Mike, takes on the lead role in Fellow Travelers. Playing Howard 'Hawk' Fuller, a charming man who is steadfast in avoiding emotional connections, Bomer's character unexpectedly becomes entangled with the sincere Tim Laughlin. With notable appearances in The Nice Guys alongside Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe and multiple appearances in various American Horror Story seasons, Bomer's acting career continues to flourish. Adding to his impressive repertoire, Bomer has an upcoming role in Maestro, directed by Bradley Cooper.
Jonathan Bailey As Tim Laughlin
In addition to his role as Lord Anthony Bridgerton on Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey has generated a significant following for his highly-anticipated portrayal of Fiyero Tigelaar in the upcoming Wicked films. Bailey is set to embody the character Tim Laughlin in Fellow Travelers, where he encounters Bomer's Fuller as a young and optimistic college graduate within the series. Prior to his breakthrough on Broadchurch as Olly Stevens, this talented English actor showcased his skills in Phoebe Waller-Bridge's 2016 series Crashing. Notably, Bailey is also an accomplished stage performer and recipient of the prestigious Oliver Award in 2019.
Allison Williams As Lucy Smith
Allison Williams, the daughter of news anchor Brian Williams, is known for her role as Lucy Smith in Fellow Travelers. She gained fame for portraying Marnie Michaels in Lena Dunham's HBO series Girls, and also starred in Jordan Peele's critically acclaimed horror film Get Out in 2017 and the recent horror movie M3GAN. In addition, she appeared as Kit Snicket in Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events alongside Neil Patrick Harris. Following her performance in Fellow Travelers, Williams is set to return as Gemma in M3GAN 2.0, scheduled for release in 2025.
Chris Bauer As Senator Joseph R. McCarthy
Fellow Travelers features the brilliant performance of Chris Bauer as the real-life U.S. Senator Joseph R. McCarthy. Bauer, renowned for his exceptional talent on television, has been part of acclaimed shows like The Wire, True Blood, and The Deuce. In True Blood, he captivated audiences with his portrayal of Detective Andy Bellefleur across 81 episodes, while in The Wire, he skillfully portrayed Frank Sobotka for 12 episodes. Bauer's remarkable acting skills extend to the big screen with notable appearances in movies such as Face/Off (1997), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Tomorrowland (2015), and Sully (2016). Additionally, he has recently made waves with his performances in the Starz boxing drama Heels, featuring in two seasons, as well as in Apple's For All Mankind, showcased in nine episodes. Bauer's talent extends even further, as he has made memorable appearances in numerous one-episode roles on popular TV shows such as The Office, Parks & Recreation, Modern Family, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Homeland.
Jelani Alladin As Marcus Gaines
Jelani Alladin, a relatively new and inexperienced actor in Hollywood, portrays newspaper reporter Marcus Gaines in Fellow Travelers. As Gaines discovers Fuller's secret affair, Alladin captivates the audience with his exceptional performance, which gained him recognition after his Broadway debut in the 2018 musical Frozen. Prior to his stint in Fellow Travelers, Alladin showcased his talents in the Broadway musical Hercules. Notably, he made his film debut in 2021 with Respect and Tick, Tick... Boom! Additionally, Alladin has made appearances in popular television series such as FBI, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and The Walking Dead: The World Beyond.
Noah J. Ricketts As Frankie Hines
Noah J. Ricketts, who portrays Frankie Hines in Fellow Travelers, initially made his mark in the world of theater. His notable stint includes gracing the Broadway production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Before landing on the television screen in 2020 with a guest appearance on the Hulu series High Fidelity, starring Zoë Kravitz, Ricketts amassed regional credits showcasing his talent in productions such as Dreamgirls, Tarzan, and La Cage. He also left an indelible impression as Kai in the Starz series American Gods before ultimately embracing a pivotal supporting role in Fellow Travelers.
Fellow Travelers Supporting Cast & Characters
Linus Roache stars as Senator Wesley Smith, known for his recent roles in the MGM series Billy the Kid and the Netflix series The Recruit. His impressive acting repertoire includes appearances in popular series such as Vikings, Homeland, and Law & Order. Notably, in 2005, he portrayed Thomas Wayne in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins.
Erin Neufer takes on the role of Mary Johnson, recognized for her performances in noteworthy productions. She has a significant acting credit in the 2017 Netflix series Gypsy and a standout appearance in one episode of Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in 2019. Additionally, Neufer recently garnered praise for her portrayal of Marian Morash in the acclaimed MAX series Julia in 2022.
- Will Brill played the role of Noah Weissman in multiple seasons of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He also had notable appearances in 12 episodes of Netflix's The OA, as well as guest appearances in The Blacklist, The Knick, Person of Interest, and Gotham, each for one episode.
- Matt Visser portrayed David Schine, appearing in one episode of Supernatural, two episodes of Netflix's The Order, two episodes of The Detour, and one episode of A Teacher, which stars Kate Mara.
Brittany Raymond stars as Kimberly Fuller in the USA television series Dare Me and as Lola Burton in the Hulu series The Hardy Boys. She is also set to appear in the upcoming thriller Sway, currently in production.
Ben Sanders has made appearances in What We Do in the Shadows, Mayor of Kingstown, Locke & Key, In the Dark, Transplant, and Murdoch Mysteries. He portrays real-life politician Bobby Kennedy in Fellow Travelers.
Composer Andy Milne will be making his first foray into acting as Andre in the series Fellow Travelers. Alongside his five-episode appearance, Milne also lent his expertise as the musical director for the Showtime show. He has further showcased his talent as a composer, having contributed to the 2023 CBC documentary Black Life: Untold Stories and William Shatner's series, The Captains Close Up.
