Bigger challenges in keeping CIA at bay and difficult decisions involving their family are what's ahead for Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) in "The Americans" season 3.
So, to make sure everything will go smoothly, the KGB couple disguised as an ordinary American family needs to be always on the same page. However, that wasn't the case so far. In fact, the couple always argue whenever its just them in the same room. One thing they argue about is the decision on what to do with their daughter Paige (Holly Taylor) who the Center from Russia wants to recruit.
In the past two seasons of the FX spy series, Philip and Elizabeth tried to do everything to arrange their life as a couple. The struggle they've been through made them realize that they love each other and they are not together because mother Russia wants them to. However, in "The Americans" season 3, their feelings for each other seems to be fading as the Paige situation gets tougher. Are they still in love with each other?
For Matthew Rhys, Philip isn't really sold on the motives of his wife. While Pgilip wants to protect their daughter from the hazards of being a KGB agent, Elizabeth wants Paige to find a purpose. This difference in view makes Rhys think that Philip does not trust Elizabeth.
"No, not truly. In season one, there was an element of betrayal, when she was informing the Center about Phillip," Rhys said in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter ahead of "The Americans" season 3 episode four titled "Dimebag."
Rhys continued: "I think that has stayed with him. It's like Gabriel Garcia Marquez said, "All human beings have three lives: public, private, and secret." So he doesn't trust her fully. I think it's clear that there's great suspicion."
As for the controversial storyline wherein his character has to hook up with a teen that is the same age as Paige, Rhys says it is one tough Philip disguise to portray.
"Jim is a tough character to pull off. He's a challenge for me because sometimes you're presented with a character that has to do some unsavory things, but you can't attack it from a judgmental point of view, as much as you find it hard, you have to find a justification as to why people do these things. There's a very clear justification, but in the execution, it's devious."
For more scoop on "The Americans" Season 3 and Matthew Rhys, read the Hollywood Reporter interview here.
