Ron Nyswaner's Fellow Travelers debuted on October 29, 2023, with the first episode written by Nyswaner himself. The historical-romance-turned-political thriller recounts the connection between two closeted males at the height of the Lavender Scare and the Red Scare, which were on the rise in the 1950s.
Matt Bomer stars in the series as Hawkins Fuller, a World War II veteran and highly regarded State Department officer. Timothy Laughlin, the deuteragonist, is played by Jonathan Bailey and is described as a young and enthusiastic congressional aide.
Tim and Hawk's lives become intertwined after their encounter, leading them on a bittersweet journey where, in addition to their romantic entanglement, they face the harsh truths of the world.
As audiences immerse themselves in this powerful narrative, the question arises: Is “Fellow Travelers” based on a true story? Continue reading to learn more!
Is the story of fellow travelers based on a true story?
In a nutshell, Fellow Travelers is partially based on real historical events and seen through the eyes of the two main protagonists, Timothy Laughlin and Hawkins Fuller, fictional characters from Thomas Mallon's book of the same name.
The series is based on genuine events and includes historical figures such as Senator Joseph McCarthy, Roy Cohn, David Schine, and others. On the other hand, a few original characters were created just for the series, such as Jelani Aladdin's Marcus Hooks.
Prior to the series adaptation, Nyswaner conducted extensive research, in addition to following the plot in Thomas Mallon's Fellow Travelers. For starters, to correctly define the scenario, Nyswaner had read some of the most popular literature of the time.
This investigation sought to create a vivid portrayal of the developing environments that have changed with each passing year since the 1950s.
Here are some of the books that helped Nyswaner create the universe of Fellow Travelers:
Giovanni's Room, by James Baldwin, Another Country by James Baldwin, Eric Cervini's “The Deviant's War: The Homosexual Vs. The United States of America” “The City and the Pillar” by Gore Vidal
Furthermore, to be accurate about the events surrounding the Red Scare and the Lavender Scare, the formation of the M Unit, and communist penetration at Fort Monmouth, Nyswaner meticulously examined Senator McCarthy's and Roy Cohn's genuine public utterances.
It was also revealed that the production business engaged a researcher, who then compiled thorough notes and references for each show. Aside from the political implications of the plot, the series was largely concerned with emphasizing the difficulties experienced by gay men who had spent their entire lives in a closet.
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The series also goes into important issues such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic, a horrific disaster that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. As a proud gay man, Nyswaner witnessed the discrimination that was common at the time he came of age in the 1960s, and several portions of the series' storyline were personally impacted by what he saw.
Overall, the series expertly integrates historical events with a fictitious romance, creating a story that speaks to the spectator by conveying the reality of the time. The unfulfilled love story keeps everyone on the edge of their seats, enthralled and intrigued.