The Americans star Matthew Rhys has spoken about his secret relationship with his The Americans co-star Keri Russell, explaining they went to great pains to keep it under wraps.
That is until a crime exposed them to everyone on the set of the hit TV show.
Rhys told The Times they were sleeping at Russell’s New York apartment when they heard burglars break in.
READ MORE: Hughesy ‘grew up in fear’ due to his father
This happened during the early stage of their relationship and Rhys said his first thought upon hearing the crime taking place was how his choice of action would colour Russell’s perception of him.
”It was very early in the relationship,” he said.
“I remember thinking stupidly, ‘My next course of action will define how Keri sees me for the rest of my life.’ So if I say, ‘Let’s lock ourselves in the bathroom and call the police,’ she’ll think I’m a coward.
READ MORE: Beloved Aussie treat disappears from supermarket shelves
“The bedroom had a fireplace so I grabbed a poker and I made my way out, as dumb as you like. What was I thinking?”
The burglars fled upon hearing him but not before stuffing several items into Rhys’ backpack which was at the residence.
When police arrived they recognised the couple from the TV show. The burglars were eventually found and the officers asked to return the items to the couple on the set of the The Americans.
It didn’t take long for those on set to realise Rhys and Russell had been together that night.
They knew the break in had taken place at Russell’s home and yet the stolen items being returned belonged to Rhys, including his backpack and his watch.
He said “everyone started piecing it together”.
READ MORE: Our honest review of the Bose QuietComfort SC headphones
Rhys told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live they were able to keep their relationship a secret for “a solid year” during their time on the series, adding that they fell in love on the show.
He said he and Russell had met a decade earlier when they were in their early 20s and Russell had just finished starring in Felicity.
Hollywood couples on their very first red carpet together
“We went to a kick ball party hosted by Jennifer Grey,” he said, adding that he asked for Russell’s number then. She gave it to him and he left a “very inebriated message” on her phone.
Russell didn’t return the call.
They met again on the set of The Americans and fell in love on set.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
Rhys explained producers are wary of co-stars dating in case of relationship turmoil and breakups that could impact their time on set. Thankfully this didn’t happen for them.
By season four the couple were well and truly together and they were expecting their first child together.
They have now been together for just over a decade and live in Brooklyn, New York, with Russell’s two children from a previous relationship aged 17 and 13 and their eight-year-old son.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
