Keri Russell has opened up about the passionate beginnings of her relationship with Matthew Rhys, recalling how the pair fell in love while filming the spy drama The Americans. The actress revealed that their romance included secret encounters on set, sometimes while wearing the elaborate disguises their characters used.
Speaking on Chelsea Handler's Dear Chelsea podcast on 8 October, Russell also explained why she and Rhys have no plans to marry, despite being together for more than a decade and sharing a son. From her views on financial independence to their decision to keep certain aspects of their relationship private, the actress made it clear that she does not believe a wedding is necessary to prove their commitment.
Keri Russell Recalls Secret Encounters With Matthew Rhys
Russell, 50, and Rhys, 51, developed a relationship while starring in The Americans, which followed two Soviet KGB intelligence officers posing as a married American couple. The FX series ran for six seasons and ended in 2018, while the actors' on-screen partnership became a real-life romance.
Looking back on their early days together, Russell recalled how they would stay up late and enjoy their time together away from the cameras. 'We were falling in love and staying up all night and having sex all the time and just wearing disguises, like, I'm f—ing [in] crazy wigs and wearing pearls,' she said during the podcast.
The actress also joked about the unusual combination of costumes and intimate moments, recalling encounters in trailers and other places on set. Rather than describing the experience as embarrassing, Russell looked back on it with affection. 'It was so fun and sneaky, and sexy, and so good,' she said.
Her comments offered a glimpse into the playful side of a relationship that began while the pair were working closely together. Their characters' secret identities provided an unusual backdrop to their romance, although Russell's recollections made clear that the excitement was personal rather than simply part of the show's storyline.
Why Russell and Rhys Do Not Need to Get Married
Russell and Rhys began dating in late 2013, following her separation from her former husband, Shane Deary. Russell was previously married to Deary for nearly seven years, and they share two children. She and Rhys have a son together, Sam.
Despite their long-term partnership, Russell said she sees no reason to have another wedding. During her conversation with Handler, she acknowledged that marriage carries different meanings for different people, but explained that she has already experienced the occasion.
'I've had a big party, you know. I get to dress up all the time, and I know for a lot of people, marriage is something different,' she said. She also challenged the idea that marriage is necessary for practical reasons, pointing to how much has changed for women over the years.
'People used to be married to have a credit card. We can have credit cards now. I don't need my last name to go away,' Russell added.
Her comments were personal rather than a criticism of couples who choose to marry. For the actress, a legal ceremony and a change of surname are not essential parts of building a lasting relationship. She and Rhys have instead continued their life together without feeling obliged to follow a conventional timeline.
Russell Explains Why Rhys Did Not Thank Her at the Emmys
Russell also addressed discussion surrounding Rhys' two wins at the 2026 Emmy Awards, where he received lead acting honours for The Beast in Me and Widow's Bay. Some viewers had questioned why he did not thank her during his acceptance speeches.
According to Russell, the decision had been discussed before the ceremony. She said Rhys was nervous about speaking publicly, so she reassured him that he did not need to worry about acknowledging her in his allotted time.
'I looked at him a few days before, and I said, 'OK, well, can you articulate what you're most nervous about?' she recalled. After he identified public speaking as his main concern, she told him: 'Take me off your plate. Like, you don't have to thank me. I know you love me.'
Russell added that he was free to thank whoever he wished, explaining that an acceptance speech should not become another source of pressure. 'That's your minute. That's your 45 seconds,' she said. Her explanation made it clear that the absence of a public thank-you was not, in her account, a sign of trouble between them.
Russell's reflections on their early romance and their decision not to marry point to the same idea: she and Rhys are comfortable defining their relationship on their own terms. For the couple, a lasting partnership does not need a wedding or a public declaration to make it meaningful.
