Logo for HistoryGap

Characters Characters

Stephen Hawking

Historic
Brilliant physicist, witty, physically declining

Based on the renowned theoretical physicist. The film accurately portrays his groundbreaking work, his diagnosis and progressive struggle with motor neuron disease (ALS), and his personal relationships, earning praise from Hawking himself.

Jane Wilde Hawking

Historic
Stephen's determined, supportive first wife

Based on Stephen's real first wife, whose memoir Travelling to Infinity was the basis for the film. Her portrayal accurately reflects her perspective on their life together, challenges, and separation.

Jonathan Hellyer Jones

Historic
Kind choirmaster, friend and helper to the Hawkings

Jonathan Hellyer Jones is the real choirmaster who befriended the Hawkings, helped Jane care for Stephen, and later married Jane after her separation from Stephen. His relationship with Jane is depicted accurately.

Dennis Sciama

Historic
Stephen's supportive doctoral supervisor

Dennis Sciama was Stephen Hawking's real PhD supervisor at Cambridge. The film accurately portrays him as an influential mentor figure during Hawking's early academic career and diagnosis.

Frank Hawking

Historic
Stephen's pragmatic father

Frank Hawking was Stephen's real father, a medical researcher. His character reflects the family's response to Stephen's illness and academic life.

Isobel Hawking

Historic
Stephen's supportive mother

Isobel Hawking was Stephen's real mother. Her portrayal shows her support for her son and family through his illness and career.

More characters

Brian

Partly historic
Stephen's Cambridge friend/roommate

Brian appears to be a composite character representing Stephen Hawking's close friends during his time at Cambridge University, embodying the camaraderie and student life of that period.

Elaine Mason

Historic
Stephen's nurse and second wife

Elaine Mason was Stephen Hawking's real nurse who later became his second wife. The film depicts the beginning of their relationship towards the end of his marriage to Jane.

Beryl Wilde

Historic
Jane's mother

Beryl Wilde was Jane Hawking's real mother.

George Wilde

Historic
Jane's father

George Wilde was Jane Hawking's real father.

Robert Hawking

Historic
Stephen and Jane's eldest son

Robert is the real eldest child of Stephen and Jane Hawking, depicted at various stages of his life during the film's timeline.

Lucy Hawking

Historic
Stephen and Jane's daughter

Lucy is the real daughter of Stephen and Jane Hawking, shown growing up within the family narrative.

Timothy Hawking

Historic
Stephen and Jane's youngest son

Timothy is the real youngest child of Stephen and Jane Hawking, born later in their marriage.

Story Story

Stephen Hawking's ALS diagnosis

True

The film accurately depicts Stephen Hawking's diagnosis with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) at a young age, a pivotal event in his life and career.

His early life and studies

Average depiction

The film provides a general overview of Hawking's early life as a student at Oxford and his initial research interests, but it simplifies and dramatizes some aspects for narrative purposes.

His relationship with Jane Wilde

Partly true

The film portrays the development of Hawking's relationship with Jane Wilde, their marriage, and the challenges they faced due to his illness. However, it's a dramatized version of their complex relationship, with some events and motivations potentially fictionalized or simplified.

The progression of his illness

Good depiction

The film realistically shows the gradual progression of Hawking's ALS, from initial difficulties with movement to his increasing reliance on a wheelchair and his eventual loss of speech.

His scientific work

Average depiction

The film touches upon Hawking's groundbreaking work in cosmology and theoretical physics, but it simplifies complex scientific concepts for a general audience. It doesn't go into great scientific detail.

His sense of humor

Good depiction

The film captures Hawking's well-known sense of humor and wit, even in the face of his debilitating illness.

His use of a speech synthesizer

True

The film accurately portrays Hawking's adoption of a speech synthesizer as his ability to speak deteriorated, a key part of his public persona and communication.

His relationship with Elaine Mason

Partly true

The film depicts Hawking's relationship with his second wife, Elaine Mason, and the complexities of their situation. As with his first marriage, it simplifies and dramatizes a complex dynamic.

The impact of his illness on his family

Good depiction

The film highlights the significant impact of Hawking's illness on his family, particularly Jane and their children, showing the challenges of caregiving and the emotional toll it took.

His international recognition

Good depiction

The film acknowledges Hawking's growing international recognition and acclaim for his scientific contributions.

His book 'A Brief History of Time'

True

The film mentions the publication and success of Hawking's popular science book, 'A Brief History of Time,' which made him a global celebrity.

The portrayal of religion

Partly true

The film hints at the differences in religious beliefs between Stephen and Jane, but it does not delve deeply into the topic. It simplifies what was likely a more complex and nuanced dynamic.

The depiction of his children

Average depiction

While the film includes Hawking's children, their characters are not fully developed, and their experiences are somewhat secondary to the central narrative of Stephen and Jane's relationship.