Breaking LGBTQ+ Ground in the 2020s: The Impactful Love Story of Fellow Travelers
When Fellow Travelers creator Ron Nyswaner reflects on the filming of the series, he gets emotional. Tears well up in his eyes as he remembers being on set and creating a groundbreaking series with four openly gay actors portraying gay characters, supported by four LGBTQ executive producers working behind the scenes.
“There was a purpose to what we were doing on Fellow Travelers,” Nyswaner shares with The Hollywood Reporter. “We wanted to do justice to those who suffered and were persecuted during the Lavender Scare, as well as those who lost their lives to AIDS, to honor and remember them. It was a profound experience.
“[Jonathan Bailey] expressed it to the crew on his final night of filming. It still brings tears to my eyes,” Nyswaner reveals, his eyes welling up. “He said, ‘It’ll never be the same again.’ And that sentiment resonated with all of us.”
In Fellow Travelers, Bailey and Matt Bomer play the roles of Tim and Hawk, two male political staffers who fall in love in the 1950s during a time when being gay was considered a national security risk and tied to communist sympathies. Jelani Alladin portrays reporter Marcus Gaines and Noah J. Ricketts plays drag performer Frankie Hines. Nyswaner, Bomer, Daniel Minahan, and Robbie Rogers serve as executive producers on the Showtime series, which has also been streamed on Paramount+. The series has received critical acclaim and garnered three Emmy nominations, including acting nods for Bomer and Bailey, with Nyswaner being nominated for outstanding writing for a limited series or movie.
“[Tim and Hawk] may be one of the first gay couples portrayed on television by two openly gay actors, and to see them embraced by audiences on social media and now at the Emmys is incredibly impactful,” he explains.
Nyswaner, known for his Oscar-nominated work on 1993’s Philadelphia, began working on Fellow Travelers in 2012 when he transitioned into the television industry in Los Angeles. After working on shows like Homeland and Ray Donovan, he spent the last four years dedicated to completing his passion project, which premiered late last year.
Here, Nyswaner delves into his personal connection to the Emmy-nominated series, the potential for a spinoff, and his deleted cameo appearance.
The series has sparked significant discussions and dialogues. What feedback have you received from viewers and fans?
I have had remarkable conversations with individuals who felt that the series resonated with their personal experiences in ways they had never encountered before. For instance, someone shared with me how she struggled to forgive her father for leaving her mother for another man, and how she now wishes he were still alive because she now understands him better. These interactions are deeply moving, as people are willing to open up about their lives and how the show has inspired them to do so.
Did you anticipate that Jelani and Noah’s Black gay love story would have the impact it did?
I was committed to representing Black characters in Fellow Travelers, even though they were not part of the original source material by Thomas Mallon. My research into the 1950s era highlighted the significant role of Black journalism, inspiring the inclusion of a Black journalist character. Additionally, figures like Stormé DeLarverie, a renowned drag performer, motivated me to create the character of Frankie. It was crucial for me to showcase this cultural diversity in the series.
I did have concerns about authentically portraying these characters as a non-Black creator, but I made a concerted effort to collaborate with Black individuals in the industry, such as writers, directors, crew members, and actors. Jelani’s journaling exercise in Marcus’ voice and our recognition from the African American Film Critics Association for Social Impact reinforces the significance of this representation in our show.
Kurt Iswarienko/SHOWTIME
Could Jelani and Noah’s characters receive a spinoff?
We are actively pitching a spinoff involving Jelani and Noah’s characters, and we encourage fans to reach out to Paramount to express their interest. While nothing is confirmed yet, we are hopeful for its development.
You made a cameo appearance in Philadelphia as a priest. Did you have a cameo in Fellow Travelers?
Yes, I did have a cameo in episode five of Fellow Travelers, where I portrayed a psych patient when Hawk takes his brother-in-law to a psychiatric hospital. However, my scene was ultimately cut. Matt’s reaction upon seeing me was unexpected, as we hadn’t informed him about my cameo.
Jonathan Bailey’s iconic milk-drinking scene in the series became a standout moment. Did you anticipate its impact during the writing process?
One never knows how such moments will be received. The idea of the milk scene was either going to be a hit or a miss in the writer’s room. However, Jonathan’s input and the symbolism of Tim’s actions empowered the narrative and paved the way for his character to assert control, leading to a pivotal moment in the story.
As your memoir Blue Days, Black Nights celebrates its 20th anniversary, what emotions does that evoke?
Matt graciously contributed a touching introduction to the reissue of my memoir, and I wrote an epilogue reflecting on how Fellow Travelers connects to my past experiences during that period of my life.
Reflecting on that time in my life, it feels like a distant past. It was a moment when I nearly self-destructed due to substance abuse. The memoir also delves into a tragic love story, a theme that seems to resonate with my writing. I am grateful that I have overcome those struggles and am no longer enslaved by addiction. I look back on the young man portrayed in the book with fondness, even though I still miss him.
Would you consider adapting your memoir for TV or film?
If the right opportunity presented itself with a suitable collaborator, I would be open to exploring the adaptation of my memoir.
Your first Emmy nomination was in 2016 for Homeland. How does this nomination differ for you?
This nomination holds a special significance as Fellow Travelers draws heavily from my personal experiences and emotions. Elements of my life are woven into the narrative, and seeing those reflections on screen has been a unique and profound experience. The grief portrayed by Hawk in episode seven relates to my own responses to loss and addiction, adding layers of personal meaning to the series.