HBO's The Time Traveler's Wife features a stellar cast including Theo James and Rose Leslie. Based on the popular novel by Audrey Niffenegger, The Time Traveler's Wife is a love story unlike any other. The book and its multiple adaptions follow Henry DeTamble, a time traveler who has precious little control over his abilities, yet finds himself crossing paths with a woman named Clare, who he swiftly realizes he is destined to marry.
Audrey Niffenegger's debut novel was published in 2003. The author was frustrated with her own love life, and the complicated emotions found their way into the story of Henry and Clare, drawing readers into a complex and intriguing narrative. Although it was only published by a small firm, The Time Traveler's Wife drew both popular and critical acclaim, becoming a hit in large part due to praise from Scott Turow on The Today Show. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema acquired the film and TV rights, leading to a 2009 film adaptation of The Time Traveler's Wife by Robert Schwentke, starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. The story had a massive impact on Steven Moffat, best known for shows like Doctor Who and Sherlock, and inspired his popular character River Song - the Doctor's wife. In 2018 Moffat signed on to produce the TV series for HBO.
The Time Traveler's Wife strives to be a faithful adaptation of the original book, although naturally it's been dramatized for effect. Like the book and the 2009 film, the new HBO series is centered around the lives and experiences of Henry and Clare. Other characters appear only as they dip in and out of the main characters' personal worlds—sometimes out of sequence.
Theo James Stars As Henry DeTamble
British actor Theo James stars as most versions of Henry DeTamble, the titular time traveler. Henry is a haunted man whose time travel essentially means he lacks any free will, as he begins to learn when he comes face-to-face with Clare. In philosophical terms, The Time Traveler's Wife is the story of how he chooses to let go of the past and future, and instead chooses to live in the moment. The part was played by Eric Bana in the 2009 movie. The young Henry is played by Jason David. Lead actor Theo James is previously known for his roles in Divergent, Underworld: Blood Wars, Castlevania and Sanditon.
Rose Leslie is Clare Abshire
Scottish actress Rose Leslie plays the eponymous time traveler's wife, Clare Abshire. She is best known as the Free Folk character Ygritte on HBO's Game of Thrones, and has also appeared in Downton Abbey and The Good Fight. The book of The Time Traveler's Wife is centered upon Clare, exploring her complicated emotions as she finds so much of her life spent waiting for her husband to return from places she cannot go. From Clare's perspective, the two first met when she was only a child, and she has formed her own character around him. There's more to Clare than just time travel, however, because she has developed into an artist and a sculptor, channeling her maelstrom of emotions into her art. The part was played by Rachel McAdams in the 2009 movie. Younger iterations of Clare Abshire are played by Everleigh McDonell and Caitlin Shorey.
The Time Traveler's Wife Supporting Cast & Characters
Kate Siegel as Annette DeTable - Henry's mother Anette DeTable was Henry's mother was a celebrated opera singer under the stage name of Annette Lyn Robinson, but she died in a car crash when Henry was six years old. Kate Siegel is best known for The Haunting of Hill House, but also appeared in Midnight Mass and The Fall of the House of Usher. Anette DeTable was played by Michelle Nolden in the movie.
Josh Stamberg as Richard DeTable - Originally played by Arliss Howard in the film, Richard DeTable is a violinist who became an alcoholic after his wife's death. Stamberg recently played Director Hayward in WandaVision, but is also known for Minx and Magnum P.I.
Michael Park as Phillip - Clare's father Philip is a blunt and forthright man who has never really cultivated a strong relationship with the members of his family. He was played by Philip Craig in the original movie. Michael Park is best known for Tales of the City, Stranger Things, and Hightown.
Jaime Ray Newman as Lucille - Clare's mother Lucille, played by Fiona Reid in the 2009 film, is an emotionally aloof poet who struggles with severe depression. She has a background presence throughout the story in the book, with Clare tragically only coming to fully understand their relationship after her mother's death. Newman has previously appeared in Midnight, Texas, Deputy, and Little Fires Everywhere.
Peter Graham as Mark - Clare's blunt-speaking older brother Mark takes after their father in many ways, and as a result, he and Clare have never been especially close. He's understandably surprised when Clare suddenly winds up in a relationship after all these years insisting she was saving herself. The part was played by Brian Bisson in the movie.
Taylor Richardson as Alicia Abshire - Clare's younger sister Alicia, who was played by Maggie Castle in 2009, is desperate to earn their father's approval. There's also a glimpse of a younger Alicia at one point in the TV series, with the part played by newcomer Adeline Turco. Taylor Richardson has previously appeared in Rise, God Friended Me, and The Gilded Age.
Desmin Borges & Natasha Lopez as Gomez & Charisse - Clare's best friends Gomez and Charisse were played by Ron Livingston and Jane McLean in the original film. In the new HBO series The Time Traveler's Wife, they are played by Desmin Borges, best known for You're The Worst and Utopia, as well as Natasha Lopez of Runner Runner and Law & Order: SVU. The relationship between Clare and Gomez in particular forms an interesting backdrop to the main romance, because his own feelings for Clare complicate everything.