The Time Traveler’s Wife series is one of the most anticipated projects coming to HBO Max this May. Before it was a TV show, it was adapted into a movie based on Audrey Niffenegger’s best-selling book. The 2009 movie may have been a commercial success, but as a series there is an opportunity to explore aspects the movie was unable to dive into.
The Time Traveler’s Wife is about Henry (Theo James), a man that has a rare genetic disorder that allows him to travel through time. Henry has no control over his abilities, meaning that he often gets transported at inopportune times and into dangerous situations. At some point, he meets Clare (Rose Leslie), thinking that this is the first time meeting her when they’ve actually met before. The love story that then unfolds is often out of order and incredibly complicated, but that doesn’t stop them from trying to be together. The series is backed up by a star-studded cast and producer, with the lead actors coming from big projects such as Divergent and Game of Thrones.
Steven Moffat, who is famously known for his work on Doctor Who, is the show’s writer and executive producer and was so inspired by the book that it led him to this project. When it came to the movie, it was critiqued for moving too quickly and not allowing the romance to flourish. The premise and the cast drew audiences in, but they weren’t enough to save the film from its shortcomings. With the story now moving over to television, it has the chance to address these issues and give it the attention it truly deserves.
Henry’s genetic disorder affects many aspects of his everyday life, often getting in the way of tasks and time spent with Clare. This can leave anyone feeling worried and neglected from having their partner randomly disappear and not knowing if they’re okay. These feelings did not come across very well in the movie but might get addressed better in the series. It also appears to be fixing another issue from the movie where the two started sleeping together when she was 18 while he was 41. Henry already looks much younger when they start dating in the series.
Henry’s feelings toward his ability also seem to be touched on more in the series. He says, “It’s not a superpower. It’s a disability. It’s what’s wrong with me.” This longer format offers the chance to see how this power affects him personally. Every time he jumps, he doesn’t know where he is going, having learned how to stay alive by running, fighting and stealing. The sheer horror on his face when he jumps into new situations shows how exhausting and terrifying it must be for him, raising the question of how this impacts his life in the long run.
It also seems as if more people in their lives will be aware of his ability. While Henry and Clare are having a dinner party, another version of him crashes it, to the shock and surprise of their guests. This may lead to friction with their friends, one of whom does not appear to be very supportive of their relationship. Ultimately, it is supposed to be a sweeping romance that just so happens to be affected by extraordinary events. The Time Traveler’s Wife as a series now has the chance to take its time and explore the intricacies of such a grand and complex love.
The Time Traveler’s Wife premieres May 15 on HBO Max.
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