The prospect of Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys reuniting on screen in Netflix’s hit political drama, The Diplomat, is generating immense excitement. Russell recently confirmed her eagerness for her partner and former The Americans co-star to join the series, a move that would delight fans who have long admired their undeniable on-screen chemistry and real-life partnership.
For fans of sophisticated drama and compelling on-screen partnerships, the idea of Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys working together again is a dream come true. The duo, celebrated for their complex portrayal of Russian spies on FX’s critically acclaimed series The Americans, has left an indelible mark on television history. Now, with Russell leading the charge in Netflix’s political thriller The Diplomat, the question of a reunion has once again taken center stage, fueling fervent speculation among their dedicated fanbase.
From Cold War Spies to Diplomatic Intrigue: Their Journey
Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys’s professional and personal relationship blossomed during their time on The Americans, a show that demanded intense commitment over its six highly acclaimed seasons. Their nuanced performances as KGB agents Elizabeth and Philip Jennings earned them widespread critical praise and solidified their status as one of television’s most dynamic duos. Their real-life relationship, confirmed by People in 2014, and the birth of their son, Sam, around May 2016, added another layer to their public story, evolving from co-stars to co-parents. Russell also has two older children, River and Willa, from a previous marriage, while Sam is Rhys’s first child, as reported by Entertainment Tonight.
After such an intensive experience, Russell initially sought shorter-term, less emotionally draining work. “I definitely wasn’t looking to do another series,” she admitted in a Vanity Fair interview. However, the script for The Diplomat, penned by veteran political TV writer Debora Cahn, proved irresistible. Despite planning a cross-country move with her family and the seemingly unfeasible commitment of seven months of shooting in Europe, Russell found herself unable to stop thinking about the role of Kate Wyler.
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Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys attend the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards, consistently showcasing their support for each other’s careers and shared life.
Keri Russell’s Diplomatic Triumph
In The Diplomat, Russell plays Kate Wyler, the unexpected new U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, tasked with averting international crises. The show blends high-stakes political drama, reminiscent of Homeland and The West Wing, with sharp, human-centric humor akin to Veep. Cahn conceived the idea after observing real-life diplomats, who often appear unassuming while managing global catastrophes.
Russell’s portrayal of Kate, a brilliant crisis manager who eschews the spotlight, has been widely lauded. Kate’s brusque demeanor, plain attire, and preference for behind-the-scenes work resonated with Russell personally. “Please let someone else wear the pretty dress and the makeup—it’s always more fun to be the normal person,” Russell shared, acknowledging a key storyline in the show’s pilot where Kate resists wearing a “pretty dress.” This authentic connection to her character’s neuroses and frustrations makes Russell’s performance particularly vivacious and dynamic.
Filming in Europe’s grand, centuries-old mansions presented its own set of challenges, both for Kate Wyler navigating British customs and for Russell managing her family logistics. She described the experience as “crazy town,” involving moving homes, transitioning kids out of school, and flying in family for support. Despite the logistical “circus,” Russell found immense joy in the role, expressing a strong desire to continue, stating, “It’s a really fun world to live in. I would love to do it again.”
The Long-Awaited Reunion: Matthew Rhys on The Diplomat?
The question of Matthew Rhys joining The Diplomat is not new, but Russell’s latest comments have ignited fan hopes. At the premiere for The Diplomat season 3, Russell was joined by Rhys on the red carpet, as reported by Just Jared. In a recent exclusive with People, Russell, 49, addressed the possibility directly when asked if Rhys, 50, could join the series: “Totally,” she affirmed, adding that she “would love to” work with him again. She noted, however, that the decision would likely be “more in his court,” given Rhys’s busy schedule, with “five other jobs or something” and “two new things coming out.”
Rhys has echoed this sentiment in the past, emphasizing that any future collaboration would need to be as special as their time on The Americans. “We definitely would work together [again], we’ve said that before,” Rhys told People last year. “We always said The Americans was so special, it would have to be something akin that we’re both so excited to do. It shouldn’t just be anything.” The nuanced political landscape and intricate character dynamics of The Diplomat certainly offer a compelling platform that could meet this high bar.
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Keri Russell as Kate Wyler and Rufus Sewell as Hal Wyler in ‘The Diplomat’ season 3. Their unique on-screen marriage provides much of the show’s comedic and dramatic tension.
The Road Ahead: The Diplomat Season 3 and Beyond
For now, fans can look forward to more political intrigue and sharp banter in The Diplomat season 3, which premieres October 16 on Netflix. This season sees Kate Wyler grappling with the “particular nightmare that is getting what you want.” Having accused Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney) of a terrorist plot and admitted her ambition for the VP job, Kate faces an even more chaotic reality: the President is dead, her husband Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell) may be implicated, and Grace Penn is now the leader of the free world.
The central marriage between Kate and Hal remains a cornerstone of the series, providing a sharply comic edge and rich interpersonal tension. Hal’s relentless campaigning for Kate’s vice presidency, coupled with her increasingly complicated relationships with Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison (David Gyasi) and First Gentleman Todd Penn (Bradley Whitford), promise a season full of intricate power plays and personal dilemmas. Russell loves playing Kate, praising the character’s intelligence, humor, fierceness, and her delightful tendency to “lose in a drama as a character… constantly losing and messing things up, it’s great.”
As The Diplomat continues to evolve, the possibility of Matthew Rhys making an appearance remains a tantalizing prospect. Whether in a guest role or a more permanent capacity, the addition of his talent and established chemistry with Keri Russell would undoubtedly elevate an already compelling series to new heights, delivering the kind of nuanced, powerful storytelling that their fans have come to expect and cherish.
