8.4/10
80,104
327 user 51 critic

The Americans 

Tous publics | | Crime, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (2013–2018)
Trailer
1:00 | Trailer
At the height of the Cold War two Russian agents pose as your average American couple, complete with family.

Creator:

Joseph Weisberg
Reviews
Popularity
183 ( 4)

Episodes

Seasons


Years



6   5   4   3   2   1  
2018   2017   2016   2015   2014   2013  
Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 38 wins & 150 nominations. See more awards »

Videos

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Cast

Series cast summary:
Keri Russell ...  Elizabeth Jennings 75 episodes, 2013-2018
Matthew Rhys ...  Philip Jennings 75 episodes, 2013-2018
Keidrich Sellati ...  Henry Jennings 75 episodes, 2013-2018
Holly Taylor ...  Paige Jennings 75 episodes, 2013-2018
Noah Emmerich ...  Stan Beeman 75 episodes, 2013-2018
Costa Ronin ...  Oleg Burov 61 episodes, 2014-2018
Lev Gorn ...  Arkady Zotov 51 episodes, 2013-2018
Richard Thomas ...  Frank Gaad 48 episodes, 2013-2016
Alison Wright ...  Martha Hanson 47 episodes, 2013-2017
Brandon J. Dirden ...  Dennis Aderholt 43 episodes, 2015-2018
Annet Mahendru ...  Nina Krilova 42 episodes, 2013-2016
Susan Misner ...  Sandra Beeman 38 episodes, 2013-2016
Margo Martindale ...  Claudia 34 episodes, 2013-2018
Frank Langella ...  Gabriel 31 episodes, 2015-2017
Learn more

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Storyline

A pair of deep-cover Soviet spies masquerades as a typical DC couple whose children, neighbors, coworkers & friends are completely unaware of their activities. At home, they're the stereotypical parents of stereotypical kids; at work, they pose as travel agents; but at night, they weave a web of confidants, lovers, dupes, and historical figures from the Reagan-era Cold War. The startlingly realistic plot twists force the viewer to consider the real cost of an undeclared war, what it takes to protect one's beliefs, if it's worth it, and if it actually worked for either side. Written by Steve83

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

All's fair in love and cold war.


Certificate:

Tous publics | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

None of the license plates depicted on the various cars and trucks in the show are real, though somewhat authentic and follow the style of the 80s era license plates patterns of D.C. and other East Coast states. I.e. Virginia never issued black-on-white standard plates. See more »

Goofs

In one episode they put a body in the trunk of a Chrysler Imperial and when they get to their destination, it's a New Yorker. See more »

Connections

Referenced in BoJack Horseman: Head in the Clouds (2018) See more »

User Reviews

 
A star is born...
2 February 2013 | by savannahkhanSee all my reviews

It is very rare that you have a near perfect episode, especially of a series on commercial television. But FX has done it here with The Americans. It is nearly flawless. Great mind candy for the thinking person, with something to come back to after the first viewing. I credit the success of The Americans to 3 things: Great script, great music, and Matthew Rhys.

The script is adult, no-nonsense storytelling built on an original premise, the Cold War. Those of us who are old enough remember this period, a period of the Russians-are-coming hysteria that was second only to the Civil Rights movement the decade before. An era very under- represented in film and ignored on the small screen, comes to life for a new generation.

Of course this era would be nothing without the music of this time and again, The Americans is flawless. "Harden my Heart" opens the series, and how appropriate. Disguised, and ready to perform sexual acts for information, we first meet the series heroine, Elizabeth Jennings whose heart is truly hardened. Fast forward to a back alley chase and we are introduced to our hero(?) Phillip to the pulsations of "Tusk" by Fleetwood Mac. "Tusk" is appropriate here too. Just think about it.

Must mention these disguises too, which are not your silly, unrealistic mission-impossible disguises. No, the disguises in The Americans are really disguises and surprisingly, with very little disguise. What makes these disguises work for the Jennings is that the Jennings can act. With each disguise is a new personality. Elizabeth does her disguise well but the master of disguise is Phillip.

Phillip, played by Matthew Rhys, is special, or should I say, Matthew Rhys is special as Phillip. Rhys takes the art of disguise to the next stage. He is authentic, nerdy and funny in disguise talking to Martha, reminding you of a young John Ritter. And then as the kick-your-ass, baddest-ass-kicking daddy of them all over a barbecue pit, Rhys is wonderfully dangerous, stellar, and I can't get enough of him.

This series only has to live up to its pilot a little bit. The series has everything: originality, sex, espionage, suspense...did I say originality? And yes, Matthew Rhys who has the role of his life, I daresay, the role he has been waiting for, is the welcomed surprise here. Hat's off to casting. Can't wait to see what they are going to do with this.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 2013 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

The Americans See more »

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA See more »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1
See full technical specs »

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