‘Really Liberating’: Fellow Travelers Stars Matt Bomer And Jonathan Bailey Discuss Their Intimate Scenes

As a dedicated follower of quality television and a staunch advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, I find myself deeply moved by Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey’s performances in Fellow Travelers. Their portrayal of two closeted men navigating power dynamics in the 1950s is not only sensational but also serves a greater purpose in shedding light on the repressed sexuality of that era.


Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey’s intense, on-screen moments in Fellow Travelers garnered significant attention during its airing on Showtime. Yet, these scenes weren’t merely for shock value; they served a crucial role within the narrative of two secretive men. The actors convincingly conveyed the suppressed sexuality through their performances, which was facilitated by the creators who were willing to delve deeper and portray such scenes more fully.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly’s Awardist podcast, Bomer thanked the network and production company Fremantle for their supportive role. He explained that from the start, they provided suggestions that were not restrictive but rather very freeing.

The actor disclosed that they gave him and Bailey freedom to explore and perform sexually explicit scenes as far as they dared, without fear of shame. He further explained that this level of consent seemed to seep into their acting performances on set, as it originated from those in authority who had the ability to make such decisions.

In the story Fellow Travelers, characters Hawk Fuller, a State Department official, and Tim Laughlin, a congressional staffer, are two powerful men hiding their true identities as gay men. This hidden aspect of their lives creates a fascinating exploration of power dynamics, both privately within them and publicly on the surface.

The actor from Bridgerton expressed gratitude for being given a gay character in the series, stating that such roles were less common in the past and that he might have played a straight lead earlier if this production had been made five or ten years ago. He found it remarkable to say this.

However, that doesn’t mean he’s belittling the straight actors who have dared to “mix” it up and play homosexual characters.  “I would never for a second wish that I hadn’t seen Brokeback Mountain or Gus Van Sant’s Milk and Cate Blanchett playing Carol,” he added. Bailey noted that those characters are equally “rich” and “complicated” and exactly the type of story the world needed. 

In a revealing statement, the actor known as The Wicked admitted to feeling a profound dread when performing his final scene, where his character succumbs to AIDS-related complications. This resonated deeply with Bailey, reminding him of the continuing struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community today. “It was an overwhelming and distressing experience,” he shared, reflecting on that moment.

Fellow Travelers season 1 is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. 

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2024-08-22 20:39