'My Life Is Crazy And Chaotic- And Couldn't Be Better'

Keri Russell, who plays an enigmatic spy in the Emmy-nominated TV drama The Americans, talks to us about being an Audrey Hepburn fan, guilty pleasures and her on-screen, off-screen husband

- Stephanie Van Der Plank

Golden Globe-winning actress Keri Russell, 41, grew up in California with her mom Stephanie, dad David, and siblings Todd and Julie. The family moved around a lot, but eventually settled in Florida after Keri landed a spot on the All New Mickey Mouse Club. After a few years on the show, she moved to LA to pursue acting. Her first major role was as Mandy Park in the 1992 comedy Honey, I Blew Up the Kid, but Keri really launched into our hearts as the charming Felicity Porter in the TV series

Felicity, which ran from 1998 to 2002. She went on to act in blockbusters like Mission: Impossible III, and now stars as KGB agent Elizabeth Jennings in TV spy-drama The Americans. She has two children – River, 10, and Willa Lou, five – from a previous marriage; and a son, Sam, one, from her current relationship with The Americans co-star Matthew Rhys, 42. The couple live in Brooklyn with the three kids.

ON THE AMERICANS

When we heard about our Emmy nominations for the show this year, Matthew and I celebrated with beers and a cheese quesadilla. 

We weren’t expecting it at all! You get so used to being the underdog for so long that you’re comfortable in that place – no pressure, no expectations. So, for three minutes we thought, “This is fantastic!” and then it turned into “Oh no, now people will watch”. And we were nervous again.

I’d just had my second child, Willa, when the script for The Americans first landed on my doorstep.

Obviously, at that time, work was the farthest thing from my mind, but reading such a great story changed that. Plus, they were filming two minutes away from my home in Brooklyn, so I could walk to work if I wanted to – not that I did that!

When the network CEO asked me to take the part, I was stunned.