What Happened to The Americans?
The Americans was a critically acclaimed FX spy drama series that ran for six seasons from 2013 to 2018, chronicling the complex lives of two deep-cover KGB agents, Philip and Elizabeth Jennings, posing as an American couple in the 1980s. The series concluded with a highly praised finale, and its legacy continues to be felt in television, with a South Korean reimagining, 'The Koreans,' beginning production in 2026.
Quick Answer
The Americans concluded its six-season run on FX in May 2018, earning widespread critical acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of Cold War espionage and its compelling characters. The series is currently available for streaming on Hulu. As of 2026, its influence persists, with a South Korean reimagining titled 'The Koreans' commencing production in March 2026, and its lead actors, Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, continuing to receive accolades for their work in other projects.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline10 events
Series Premiere Date Announced
FX officially announced that 'The Americans' would premiere on January 30, 2013, starring Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as undercover KGB spies.
The Americans Premieres on FX
The first season of 'The Americans' debuted on FX, introducing audiences to the Jennings family and their secret lives as Soviet agents in the 1980s.
FX Announces Final Two Seasons
FX renewed 'The Americans' for a fifth season (13 episodes) and a sixth and final season (10 episodes), allowing the creators to plan a definitive conclusion.
Series Finale Airs ('START')
The Americans concluded its run with the critically acclaimed series finale, 'START,' which brought the Jennings' story to a bittersweet and ambiguous end.
Matthew Rhys Wins Emmy for Lead Actor
Matthew Rhys won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his performance as Philip Jennings in the final season.
Wins Golden Globe for Best TV Series – Drama
The Americans was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards, solidifying its critical acclaim.
Production Begins on 'The Koreans' Remake
Disney+ announced that production had commenced on 'The Koreans,' a South Korean reimagining of 'The Americans,' set in the early 1990s and starring Lee Byung-hun and Han Jimin.
Matthew Rhys Stars in Apple TV+'s 'Widow's Bay'
Matthew Rhys, known for his role as Philip Jennings, stars in the new 10-episode horror-comedy series 'Widow's Bay,' which premiered on Apple TV+.
Matthew Rhys Cast in BBC Drama 'Dragon Slayers'
It was announced that Matthew Rhys is set to star in a new six-part BBC factual drama series titled 'Dragon Slayers,' exploring the life of newspaper giant Sir Harry Evans.
The Americans' Influence and Cast Emmy Nominations Noted
An article highlighted the enduring influence of 'The Americans' on current TV dramas and noted Keri Russell's Emmy nomination for 'The Diplomat' and Matthew Rhys's nominations for 'The Beast In Me' and 'Widow's Bay.'
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Americans, created by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg, premiered on FX on January 30, 2013, quickly establishing itself as a standout in the era of prestige television. The series centered on Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell), two Soviet KGB Directorate S officers living as an American married couple with their unsuspecting children, Paige and Henry, in suburban Washington D.C. during the 1980s Cold War. The show was lauded for its intricate plotting, character development, and its exploration of identity, loyalty, and the personal toll of espionage.
The series ran for six seasons, concluding on May 30, 2018, with its 75th episode, 'START.' The decision to end the series after six seasons was announced by FX in May 2016, allowing creators Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg to craft a definitive conclusion to the Jennings' story. The finale was particularly praised for its bittersweet and ambiguous ending, which saw Philip and Elizabeth escape back to Russia, leaving their daughter Paige behind, while their son Henry remained oblivious to their true identities.
Throughout its run, The Americans garnered numerous accolades. Matthew Rhys won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2018 for the final season, and Weisberg and Fields won for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for the finale. The series also received a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama in 2019 and was named an AFI TV Program of the Year for five consecutive seasons. It also earned a rare second Peabody Award for its conclusion.
As of September 2026, The Americans continues to be recognized for its enduring influence on television drama. The complete series is available to stream on Hulu. In a significant development, Disney+ announced in March 2026 that it had begun production on 'The Koreans,' a South Korean reimagining of the series. This new adaptation, set in the early 1990s, follows North Korean spies posing as a middle-class family in South Korea, starring Lee Byung-hun and Han Jimin. Original creators Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields gave their approval but are not actively involved in the remake.
Meanwhile, the careers of its lead actors have continued to flourish. Keri Russell has been nominated for Emmys for her role in 'The Diplomat,' and Matthew Rhys has been active in projects like Netflix's 'The Beast in Me,' Apple TV+'s horror-comedy 'Widow's Bay' (which premiered in April 2026), and is set to star in the BBC drama 'Dragon Slayers' in May 2026. The ongoing success and recognition of its cast, coupled with the international remake, underscore the lasting impact and relevance of 'The Americans' in the television landscape.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The Americans made different choices?