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[Cornballer]

After a great freshman season, The Americans returns for a 13-episode second season on Wednesday, February 26th at 10pm on FX. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys star as two KGB spies posing as Americans in Washington D.C. in the 1980's. The cast also includes Noah Emmerich, and Margo Martindale will be guest-starring again this season. Joe Weisberg is serving as showrunner with a few other EP's, including Graham Yost, helping out. The S1 dvd/blu-ray are out in stores now, and you can also watch on Amazon Prime if you're interested in catching up on the series.

The Americans is a period drama about the complex marriage of two KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington D.C. shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected President. The arranged marriage of "Philip" (Matthew Rhys) and "Elizabeth Jennings" (Keri Russell), who have two children – 14-year-old "Paige" (Holly Taylor) and 11-year-old "Henry" (Keidrich Sellati), who know nothing about their parents’ true identity – grows more passionate and genuine by the day, but is constantly tested by the escalation of the Cold War and the intimate, dangerous and darkly funny relationships they must maintain with a network of spies and informants under their control. Their neighbor, "FBI Agent Stan Beeman" (Noah Emmerich) has already come dangerously close to discovering their secret, but was thwarted by "Nina" (Annet Mahendru), his KGB mole and paramour. Torn between his wife "Sandra" (Susan Misner) and his deepening feelings for Nina, Stan is completely unaware that the beautiful Russian is actually a double agent, reporting on him to the KGB. Philip has been more successful handling his mole within the FBI, "Martha" (Alison Wright), assistant to Stan’s boss, "Special Agent Gaad" (Richard Thomas). Romancing Martha under the guise of one of his cover identities, an FBI bureaucrat named "Clark," Philip has secured her unquestioning loyalty…by marrying her. Meanwhile, in the Jennings’ house, Paige has become increasingly suspicious that her parents are hiding something.

Cast:

• Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings
• Matthew Rhys as Phillip Jennings
• Noah Emmerich as Agent Stan Beeman
• Holly Taylor as Paige Jennings
• Keidrich Sellati as Henry Jennings
• Annet Mahendru as Nina
• Susan Misner as Sandra Beeman
• Alison Wright as Martha Hanson
• Richard Thomas as Special Agent Frank Gaad

Videos (please spoiler tag discussion of promotional material)

• "Danger" trailer
• "Paige & Henry" trailer
• "Rules" teaser trailer
• "Hidden" teaser
• "Dinner Table" teaser
• "Stripes" teaser
• "Free Flag" teaser
• "Kiss" teaser
• "Bed" teaser
• Inside the Secrets: First Look - Season 2 (youtube, clips & cast/crew interviews)

Links

• FX official site
• IMDB
• Wiki
• Facebook
• Twitter
• NeoGAF Season 1 Thread

News:

• Mahendru & Wright Elevated to Series Regulars on 'The Americans'
• Margo Martindale Returning as Claudia in Season 2
• THR: 'The Americans' Casts Cartoon Network Alum for Season 2
• EW: 'The Americans' season 2: Six scoops on the new season *some spoilers*
• HitFix: Press Tour: More sexy spy action in 'The Americans' season 2 *some spoilers*
• GQ: House of Spies: The Americans' Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys
• Men's Journal: The Ex-Spy Behind 'The Americans'
• Onion A|V Club: The Americans’ producers walk us through their first-season storylines
• Chicago Reader: Without le Carré, would we have The Americans?
• HitFix: An epic interview with Noah Emmerich on 'The Americans,' 'Jane's Got A Gun' and more (stuff on The Americans starts at the bottom of page 2)
• EW.com Interview: Matthew Rhys on the challenge of playing a knit-wearing, suburban spy
• HitFix: Keri Russell talks Margo Martindale and 'The Americans' season 2
• Deadline: ‘The Americans’ At NY PaleyFest: Suspicions, Family Secrets And Series Creator’s CIA Regrets
• highlights from the Paley Center panel from last weekend.
• In 2013, no show used pop music better than The Americans

Promotional pictures: (click to enlarge)

​

Reviews & Comments

Really liked “The Americans” in S1, but starting to feel evangelical based on early S2 episode. SO good.

Season 2 is just as brainy and twisty and kinky [as season 1], and it ratchets up the suspense by making the threats to our "heroes" even more personal.

Schedule

• Ep 201 - Comrades - Feb 26
• Ep 202 - Cardinal - Mar 5
• Ep 203 - The Walk In - Mar 12
• Ep 204 - A Little Night Music - Mar 19
• Ep 205 - The Deal - Mar 26
• Ep 206 - Behind the Red Door - Apr 2
• Ep 207 - ARPANET - Apr 9
• Ep 208 - New Car - Apr 16
• Ep 209 - Apr 23
• Ep 210 - Yousaf - Apr 30
• Ep 211 - Stealth - May 7
• Ep 212 - May 14
• Ep 213 - May 21

Episode 201 | Season Premiere - Comrades

Spoiler

Elizabeth comes back from her injury and straight into what should have been a routine mission — but it goes awry, leaving her and Philip in fear not only for themselves but for their whole network… and family. Paige's suspicions have only grown in her mother's absence. Meanwhile, Stan continues to fall for the Russian agent who has started to play him...

GIFs

 

[lazybones18]

For Mother Russia!

 

[ultron87]

I'm ready for even more advances in KGB wig technology.

 

[Niraj]

Nice work as usual Cornballer. Looking forward to the new season. Still need to get around to finishing my rewatch (just the finale left :/).

 

[metsallica]

I am excite. Killer op, CB.

 

[Grizzlyjin]

Season 1 was a great ride, so I'm definitely down for more. Last year was fantastic for freshmen shows coming out of the gate strong. Arrow, The Americans, The Bridge, Hannibal. FX has been leading the pack with quality programming for me.

 

[maquiladora]

Yes! One of the best shows of last year. Hyped.

 

[Funky Papa]

In for more wigs.

 

[ivysaur12]

Why don't we use this gif more often?!

Also, TUSK TUSK TUSK TUSK!

 

[Tucah]

I need to catch up on the first season. I really liked what I saw of it.

 

[shadyspace]

I need to catch up on the first season. I really liked what I saw of it.

I fell off too, not out of disinterest. Not gonna bother tho. Just gonna jump on with season 2 again. That Sepinwall quote in the OP's got me hype.

EDIT: Shit S1 free on Prime huh. Maybe I will do a rewatch.

 

[Cornballer]

Why don't we use this gif more often?!

We really should. It's so strange and hilarious.

Also, TUSK TUSK TUSK TUSK!

The Americans tribute video featuring Tusk? Yes, indeed.

I fell off too, not out of disinterest. Not gonna bother tho. Just gonna jump on with season 2 again. That Sepinwall quote in the OP's got me hype.

FWIW, it's well worth watching all of S1 if you're enjoying the series. Also note that they're replaying the S1 finale "The Colonel" at 9pm before the premiere next Wednesday.

 

[ivysaur12]

We really should. It's so strange and hilarious.

Someone should put BANNED over it once he gets tazered. It's too perfect.

 

[A Serious Man]

Came for Keri Russell, stayed for the wigs.

 

[Mattlikewhoa]

Ugh, I switched providers, and I have to see if Bell has FX (or if there's another channel that broadcasts FX shows).

 

[bunbun777]

Oh good my favorite spy family is back.

 

[Cornballer]

- Fast Company on the soundtrack selections: Listen Closely: FX's "The Americans" Will Send You Straight Back To 1982

 

[Real Hero]

I fell off too, not out of disinterest. Not gonna bother tho. Just gonna jump on with season 2 again. That Sepinwall quote in the OP's got me hype.

arghh how can you watch good tv shows like this

 

[Battle Born]

I really liked the first season so I hope that it gets even better as Sepinwall said.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Honestly great first season. My anticipation is off the charts for the second season.

 

[Cornballer]

- Joel Fields answers fan questions over at SpoilerTV.com (I don't see many spoilers here, just a few vague hints)

 

[ivysaur12]

Let's all remember how great the opening credits are

 

[Frost_Ace]

Wanted to catch up on this before this season started but oh well

still watching HoC ATM and I should finish Rectify.

 

[Cornballer]

Courtesy of the WSJ, a bunch of short videos from a Weisberg, Fields, and Emmerich Q&A yesterday:

- How 'The Americans' Recreates the Cold War
- On 'The Americans,' Who Is the Enemy?
- ‘The Americans’: The Secret Life of Stan
- ‘The Americans’ and Nuclear Launch Codes
- 'The Americans' Gears Up for a Second Season
- Designing Spycraft for ‘The Americans’

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Nice thread! I look forward to more Claudia!

Let's all remember how great the opening credits are

Oh how I love them.

 

[Rehynn]

Can't freaking wait.

Also hoping to hear some great '80s music again!

 

[Silkworm]

Woo! Justified will be back next week along with Archer and now the start of the second season of The Americans. Looking forward to it!

 

[AngmarsKing701]

Hype

 

[ambientmystic]

Subscribed.

I had a blast with the first season, they're getting most, if not all of the nuances of the 80s down pat and being a child of that era, watching this show has been one big, nostalgic romp for me.

 

[Kadayi]

Welcome return of Nina to our screens.

Subbed.

 

[Funky Papa]

Subscribed.

I had a blast with the first season, they're getting most, if not all of the nuances of the 80s down pat and being a child of that era, watching this show has been one big, nostalgic romp for me.

I'm in love with the ugly ass furniture and upholstery.

Brown everywhere.

 

[Funky Papa]

Turns out my beautiful Nina just made it to Esquire (slightly NSFW).

 

[Guileless]

My gawd Felicity.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

Turns out my beautiful Nina just made it to Esquire (slightly NSFW).

Wow.

 

[Burt]

Can't wait. Keri has my avatar once True Detective has its run.

 

[ivysaur12]

Nice thread! I look forward to more Claudia!



Oh how I love them.

DID SOMEONE SAY CLAUDIA?!

 

[AwesomeSauce]

Loved what I saw of Season 1, but didn't finish since my stupid DVR stopped recording the rest of the series. Now is a good time to catch up in time for the new season.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

DID SOMEONE SAY CLAUDIA?!

#GiveClaudiaMoreWigs

 

[Funky Papa]

Philip is this show's secret scumbucket, BTW.

 

[Niraj]

Turns out my beautiful Nina just made it to Esquire (slightly NSFW).

 

[Cornballer]

Keri Russell is going to be on The Late Show with David Letterman tonight.

 

[xxracerxx]

Turns out my beautiful Nina just made it to Esquire (slightly NSFW).

She lives(d) in the same building as a friend of mine. When I was down in LA a year ago we ran into her, she was beautiful in person as well.

 

[Silkworm]

Turns out my beautiful Nina just made it to Esquire (slightly NSFW).

Wonder how long she survives having already burned the KGB once.

 

[sant]

Can't wait

 

[bodyboarder]

Nice OT. Really enjoyed the first season.

 

[~Devil Trigger~]

reporting for duty

 

[TripOpt55]

So excited for this. Kind of snuck up on me. Didn't realize the premiere was so soon.

 

[Cornballer]

- One short clip from Keri Russell's appearance on Letterman tonight

 

[Silkworm]

- One short clip from Keri Russell's appearance on Letterman tonight

Glad she was okay (and that her kids weren't in the house at the time). Too bad she didn't use her Russian spy skills to give that intruder a rude welcome but it probably wouldn't have turned out too well. Also nice that the police found all of her stolen stuff

 

[demolitio]

Can't wait for this to come back. The Cold War and spying in general is a subject I could read about for days so it's nice having a drama based around it.

I hope some of the intentional leaks are brought up this year. Some crazy stuff.

Bring on the 80's music!