‘The Americans’ season 3: capturing the 80’s look, Keri Russell style and the Matthew Rhys role
While The Americans won’t return until January for their third season costume designer Jenny Gering opened up about creating the memorable characters, yet keeping the spies off of the radar screen (according to the storyline.) Meanwhile, star Matthew Rhys chimes in as well.
The Cold War drama, set in the 80’s, had a very unique feel in a unique time. “It was a decade and an administration that reveled in “society,” and as such, social events were well-documented and gave a view to certain aspects of life in DC,” Gering begins in the Washintonian interview.
Keri Russell has say in her character’s wardrobe, so here’s the run down.
“Her goal is to blend in and look as “normal” as possible. She doesn’t need to be a wallflower, but she never wants to appear unusual,” Gering says. “Keri always has a say in her costumes. Her role is very physically demanding, and she needs to be able to do stunts if necessary. She also knows what she wants to express through her characters; we work together to make that happen,” she details in the interview.
Rhys and Russell play a Soviet spy couple posing as a suburban Americans. In the line of duty, Rhys assumes numerous other personas, relying on an impressive array of wigs, facial hair and eyewear to maintain his cover.
“I’m always trying to find what’s the truth in this moment,” says Rhys.
“There’s something in Philip who’s always figuring out his place,” says Joel Fields, executive producer of The Americans to the Star.
“I sometimes wonder whether that is deeply imprinted in Matthew’s soul somehow. I can’t help but feel there is something in that Welsh upbringing, in the culture of being an outsider inside a larger country, being Welsh in Great Britain, that goes to the way he comes at acting in general and this role in particular.”
“It’s the sort we’ve never seen before, two people who’ve been together for ‘x’ amount of years and now beginning to forge a real relationship. The spy stuff was just a bonus,” Rhys explains to The Star.
Expect more news to drop as FX will head into production to make their January premiere plans.
