'The Americans': FX Orders Cold War Spy Series Starring Keri Russell

FX Orders Cold War Spy Series Starring Keri Russell
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Actress Keri Russell attends the 'Running Wilde' Premiere during the 6th Annual New York Television Festival at the School of Visual Arts Theater on September 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Actress Keri Russell attends the 'Running Wilde' Premiere during the 6th Annual New York Television Festival at the School of Visual Arts Theater on September 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Keri Russell is heading back to TV in FX's Cold War spy series "The Americans."

"The Americans," starring Russell, Matthew Rhys and Noah Emmerich, hails from Joe Weisberg with Graham Yost, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank attached as executive producers. The pilot, which is scheduled to air in early 2013, will be directed by Gavin O'Connor. Production begins in October.

“For the last two years, I've worked with the incredible people at FX, FTVS, DreamWorks, and my personal television guru Graham Yost on this project," Weisberg said in a statement. "More recently, Gavin O'Connor joined our team, and turned the script we'd been working on for so long into a beautiful pilot. Keri Russell, Matthew Rhys, Noah Emmerich, and Max Hernandez were sensational in it, and a joy to be around. To have all of this come to fruition has been indescribably exciting. Really, I'm a writer, and I can't describe it. It's a great privilege and opportunity to get to make this television show. I can't wait to get to work on it."

The new series is a period drama about the marriage of KGB spies posing as Americans in suburban Washington DC. Set during the Reagan presidency, the show follows Phillip (Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Russell), two spies who are in an arranged marriage. The couple have two children who know nothing about their parents true identity. Phillip and Elizabeth must balance their relationship, along with the network of spies and informants that are under their control. Emmerich will play an FBI agent -- and new neighbor -- who works in counter intelligence. The first season will be 13 episodes.

“We're proud to welcome 'The Americans,' a taut series that crackles with incredible performances rooted in character perspectives never explored on a U.S. television series, to FX's line up of quality dramas,” John Landgraf, president of FX, said in a statement. "We're equally excited to welcome Graham Yost’s talented young Padawan Joe Weisberg as creator/showrunner. He joins a long line of gifted writer/producers who have taken their first shot at greatness on FX.”

"The Americans" Season 2

The Americans

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