The magnetic on-screen connection between Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys in The Americans was no accident; it blossomed from a remarkable real-life love story, marked by a forgotten first encounter, a decade-long wait, and a powerful partnership that has captivated fans and industry peers alike.
For fans of intense drama and undeniable chemistry, the relationship between Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys has been nothing short of captivating. Their on-screen portrayal of married KGB spies Elizabeth and Philip Jennings in the acclaimed FX series The Americans was legendary, but their real-life journey together is even more compelling. It’s a tale that proves that sometimes, life truly does imitate art, albeit with a humorous beginning and a long, patient build-up.
An Unconventional First Encounter: 2002
Years before they would become one of Hollywood’s most beloved power couples, Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys had a memorable, though initially unrequited, first meeting. In 2002, they crossed paths at a kickball party hosted by actress Jennifer Grey. A youthful, “drunkenly” confident Rhys, then a “young, single slip of a thing,” as he later described her, asked for Russell’s phone number in a “very romantic” parking lot after she asked him to open her beer. He followed up with a voicemail that Russell, however, never returned. She would later admit she had completely erased the encounter from her memory until Rhys reminded her years later.
Rhys recounted this charming mishap during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in 2017, confirming the quirky start to their eventual romance.
Reconnection and Sparks on Set: 2012
A decade after their initial meeting, fate brought Russell and Rhys together again as co-stars on the FX drama series The Americans. It was during a lunch break on set that Rhys gently reminded Russell of their previous encounter. “At a lunch, you said, ‘You know, we’ve met before,’ I said, ‘No, we haven’t.’ You said, ‘Yeah, 10 years ago at a kickball party,'” Russell recalled. “As soon as you said that, I went, ‘Of course I remember that!'”
Playing a married couple embroiled in espionage, their on-screen chemistry was palpable, and soon, their attraction spilled into real life. When asked if they fell in love on the show, Rhys definitively answered, “Yes, absolutely.” At the time, Russell was still married to her ex-husband, Shane Deary, whom she separated from in early 2013.
Dating Whispers Turn into Confirmation: 2013-2014
By December 2013, rumors of a romance between the co-stars began to circulate. They were spotted looking “touchy-feely, drinking and laughing” at ABC Kitchen, as reported by Page Six. The rumors intensified in January 2014 when they appeared in a steamy photoshoot for GQ, showcasing their undeniable connection.
In April 2014, People magazine officially confirmed their relationship after they were seen enjoying a cozy date at the Public Theater in New York City.
Growing Their Family: May 2016
In January 2016, it was rumored that the couple was expecting their first child together, a fact later confirmed by People. Russell, who was already a mother to River and Willa with her ex-husband, spoke to The New York Times in March 2016 about how The Americans cleverly hid her pregnancy with costume changes, jokingly mentioning “a lot of winter-coat wearing” and holding “giant salad bowls.”
The couple welcomed their son, Sam, in May 2016. Russell publicly announced his name and gender during an appearance on the Today show in July 2016, describing him as “big and fat and nice.”
Public Displays of Affection and Support: 2017-2018
Their bond was often on display, charming fans and media alike. In September 2017, Rhys adorably fixed Russell’s windswept hair on the red carpet at the New York City Ballet’s Fall Fashion Gala, a moment that quickly went viral.
In September 2018, Rhys won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in The Americans. During his acceptance speech, he gave a heartfelt and humorous shoutout to Russell, crediting her for his win and jokingly referencing her warning against a public proposal: “And finally, to the woman who truly got me this award, who just stands in front of me every day and just puts up with me. She said, ‘If you propose to me, I will punch you clean in the mouth.’”
Rhys also shared with The Irish News in November 2018 that he makes an effort to connect their son, Sam, with his Welsh heritage, speaking to him “solely in Welsh.”
Balancing Career and Family Life: 2019-2021
As their careers continued to thrive, Russell and Rhys openly discussed the challenges and joys of balancing their demanding professions with family life. At the 2019 Golden Globes, where both were nominated for The Americans, they humorously joked about breaking up if only one of them won.
In a 2020 interview with Shape, Russell shared her philosophy on juggling work and home: “They say you can have everything—just not all at once. There are times when you’re living for your career and times when you get to make cakes.” Rhys further elaborated on their family dynamics in a May 2021 Deadline interview, explaining Sam understands Welsh when he speaks it, though he typically responds in English.
Continued Collaborations and Red Carpet Appearances: 2023-2025
Their professional paths intertwined again in March 2023 when they both starred in Elizabeth Banks’s film Cocaine Bear. Rhys humorously admitted to The A.V. Club that he “unashamedly jumped on [Russell’s] coattails” to be part of the project. In April 2023, Rhys also reflected on the inherent risks of a workplace romance, telling Page Six that they approached their relationship “with caution and a great deal of trepidation,” adding, “thank God it worked.”
The couple frequently graces red carpet events, showcasing their enduring partnership. They attended the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2024, where Russell was nominated, and Rhys proudly highlighted her previous win for Felicity 25 years prior, telling People he was “incredibly proud.”
In May 2024, they attended a reading of Dear Mr. Thomas: A New Play for Voices. Reflecting on their journey in October 2024, Russell told Variety about falling “hot and heavy in love” with Matthew while filming The Americans. She also discussed their arrangement for her new show, The Diplomat, where Rhys took on more family responsibilities, acknowledging it was challenging but necessary. Their public appearances continued with the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards in February 2025, the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2025, and the 2025 Brooklyn Bridge Park Gala in October 2025, where they were photographed with Paul Rudd.
The Enduring Appeal of Keri & Matthew
The love story of Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys is a testament to patience, professional respect, and genuine affection. What began with a forgotten kickball party and a drunken voicemail evolved into a profound partnership, both creatively and personally. Their ability to navigate high-profile careers, raise a family, and maintain a visible, loving relationship makes them a true inspiration for fans who first adored them as television’s most dangerous, yet devoted, spy couple.
