Jonathan Bailey has reacted to his Fellow Travelers Emmy nomination, and it’s absolutely adorable.
On 17 July, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences unveiled its new batch of nominees for the upcoming 76th Primetime Emmy Awards.
Unlike previous years, queer talent and stories dominated the categories, with Fellow Travelers star Bailey scoring a nomination for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie’.
In response to the incredible achievement, the Wicked star took to his Instagram account to share a heartwarming statement.
“Playing Tim Laughlin was the experience of a lifetime, and I will carry him with me always,” he wrote.
“For this experience to be recognised in this way, and alongside ultimate leader Matt Bomer and the brilliant Ron Nyswaner is truly beyond measure.
“It is not lost on me that this sort of recognition is rare. I’ve grown up savouring the minimal queer television and film on offer whilst battling problematic media and societal criticism of queer life.”
Bailey then reflected on the importance of his and Bomer’s nominations for LGBTQIA+ representation both in front of and behind the camera.
“I have loved so many award-winning dramatic performances of gay characters, but for Matt and I to be nominated together as gay actors feels like the sort of progress that would have made the world an easier place to grow up in,” he explained.
“For that, I am grateful and so unbelievably proud. Thank you to the TV Academy for this opportunity.”
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It didn’t take long for fans to inundate Bailey’s comment section with congratulatory messages.
One person wrote: “Congratulations Jonny!!! You all deserve it so much!!”
Another fan added: “Deserved beyond measure! Tim had so many layers and nuances to his character throughout the decades and you played him to perfection. I think a lot of us will carry a little piece of Tim around with us forever due to that.”
The Crashing star also received praise from an array of his industry peers, like his Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo, who commented, “So fucking proud, my love!!”
Bomer also sent some love by uploading a string of heart emojis.
TV audiences were first treated to Fellow Travelers and Bailey’s critically acclaimed performance in October 2023.
Based on Thomas Mallon’s novel of the same name, the show follows the volatile romance of Tim Laughlin (Bailey) and Hawkins Fuller (Bomer), two very different men who meet in the shadow of McCarthy-era Washington.
In addition to the show’s its stellar acting performances and heartwrenching subject matter, the eight-episode miniseries turned heads for its graphic and steamy sex scenes.
From toe-sucking and oral sex to unbridled threesomes and intense cruising moments, the show held nothing back when exploring the different facets of gay sex.
Back in November 2023, showrunner Ron Nyswaner opened up to GAY TIMES about the inspiration behind the series’ sexual content.
Jonathan Bailey in Fellow Travelers
“For me, when I came out in the 70s, those were the celebratory days of the gay experience. It was pre-AIDS, and we were released,” he explained.
“That connection that I got to have with other gay men, whether it was one night or a little bit longer, it was very powerful to me, and it gave me joy…. We wanted the sex to be powerful in Fellow Travelers, because I believe it is a really powerful part of the gay experience.”
All eight episodes of Fellow Travelers are now available on Paramount Plus in the UK and US.
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