About The Americans

Released in 2013, 'The Americans' is a period spy thriller that takes its audience deep into the secretive world of Cold War-era espionage. Created by former CIA agent Joe Weisberg, the drama follows the complex lives of two KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington D.C. shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected President.

Making / Production

The series is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions. Each episode captured the tension and threat of discovery that was a constant part of life for these undercover operatives, along with the personal and moral issues that this duplicitous lifestyle created.

Actors

• Keri Russell as 'Elizabeth Jennings': Russell plays a no-nonsense KGB spy who exudes intensity and dedication. She brings subtlety to a tough character.
• Matthew Rhys as 'Phillip Jennings': Rhys encapsulates a man torn between his loyalty to his homeland and his emerging love for his American life.
• Noah Emmerich as 'Stan Beeman': Stan is an FBI agent and the Jennings' neighbor. Emmerich perfectly portrays Stan's growing suspicions and his moral struggles with his job.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series was created by Joe Weisberg, a former CIA spy, to represent Cold War espionage accurately.
• In order to maintain accuracy, the show hired former spies as consultants.
• Stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys became a couple in real life during the making of the show.

Awards

The Americans received critical acclaim throughout its run, earning numerous awards including Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Matthew Rhys, and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg for the series finale, “START”.

Quotes

• "It’s not easy but nothing in life that’s worth anything is easy." - Elizabeth Jennings
• "I’ve got disguises: half-assed and full." - Philip Jennings
• "All these secrets, Philip...they just...they want out." - Stan Beeman

Music, Soundtrack

• Nathan Barr composed the original music for the series, creating a sound that authentically represented the time period.
• Several episodes made notable use of music from the 1980s, including tracks by artists like Phil Collins, Roxy Music, and Fleetwood Mac.