Keri Russell on Partner Matthew Rhys and Her Views on Marriage

Keri Russell recently spoke about her early days with longtime partner Matthew Rhys during an appearance on the “Dear Chelsea” podcast. The 50-year-old actress reflected on their relationship while filming “The Americans.” Russell described their time together as intriguing and thrilling, sharing, “We were falling in love, staying up all night, and it was all so fun and sneaky.”

Russell and Rhys first crossed paths briefly before working together again in 2012 on “The Americans,” where their relationship began. They made it public in April 2014. They have a son, Sam, born in May 2016; Russell also has two children, River and Willa, from a previous marriage.

Discussing marriage, Russell told Chelsea Handler she doesn’t see the need to marry Rhys. “I’ve had a big party. I get to dress up all the time,” she said, referring to her experience with marriage. Russell feels marriage is unnecessary now, saying, “If you wanna be here, be here. If you don’t, that’s cool too.”

Russell plays Kate Wyler in the fourth season of “The Diplomat” on Netflix. She described her character as “fun to play,” noting her intelligence and humor. “I love her frankness and bossiness,” she added.

Recently, Matthew Rhys didn’t thank Russell in his Emmy speeches for “Widow’s Bay” and “The Beast In Me,” but she reassured him he didn’t have to. “I know you love me,” Russell said, encouraging Rhys to focus on those he deemed necessary to thank.