Jonathan Bailey has opened up about why he joined Showtime’s hit LGBTQIA+ drama Fellow Travelers.
Over the last few years, the beloved talent has curated an incredible career as one of the world’s most in-demand actors.
From portraying Anthony Bridgerton in Netflix’s critically acclaimed dramedy Bridgerton to his upcoming role as Fiyero in the movie adaptation of Wicked, it’s safe to say that his star is showing no signs of slowing down.
On 28 October, Bailey added another successful project to his growing acting catalogue with the release of the Showtime and Paramount Plus series Fellow Travelers.
Based on Thomas Mallon’s novel of the same name, the show chronicles the volatile romance of two very different men who meet in the shadow of McCarthy-era Washington.
Bailey plays Tim Laughlin, a “young man brimming with idealism and religious faith” who is optimistic about a post-WWII world.
His life changes when he meets Matt Bomer’s character, Hawkins Fuller, who “maintains a financially rewarding, behind-the-scenes” political career.
In a recent interview with GAY TIMES, the Chewing Gum star gave insight into why he was drawn to the LGBTQIA+ drama.
“[It] came at the right time. Someone asked me after Bridgerton, ‘What do you want to do next?’ and that is an amazing position to be in, having worked for so long to suddenly have real choice in what you do,” the openly gay talent explained.
“I knew that I wanted to do a sweeping gay love story because I hadn’t seen it, especially one that’s detailed over eight hours.”
Fortunately, Bailey wasn’t the only one enthralled with Fellow Travelers’ gripping love story.
Since its premiere, the show has received rave reviews from critics and LGBTQIA+ TV enthusiasts – with some fans even taking to the Crashing star’s Instagram DMs to express their love for the series.
“People have messaged saying, ‘I’m closeted, but watching this is helping me in a way that you might not understand.’ Someone else said it made them come out, and these are people in their 40s and 50s,” he revealed.
“There’s these lost generations that Fellow Travelers is highlighting, people who are more scared than ever to feel invalidated if they were to finally come out and speak their truth. I’m mindful of the fact that there are people of every age who are striving to live authentically.”
Directed by Oscar nominee Ron Nyswaner, Fellow Travelers also stars Jelani Alladin (The Walking Dead: World Beyond) as Marcus, Allison Williams (Get Out) as Lucy and Noah J. Ricketts (American Gods) as Frankie.
The official synopsis reads: “Over the course of four decades, we follow our five main characters – Hawk, Tim, Marcus Lucy, and Frankie – as they cross paths through the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, the drug-fueled disco hedonism of the 1970s and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, while facing obstacles in the world and in themselves.”
Fellow Travelers airs Saturdays on Paramount Plus in the UK.
Read our full interview with Jonathan Bailey here
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