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Entertainment • TV series

The Americans

The Americans is an American period spy drama television series created by Joe Weisberg for FX.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Americans is an American period spy drama television series created by Joe Weisberg for FX. It follows two Soviet KGB officers posing as a married American couple in suburban Washington, D.C., during the Cold War. The series aired for six seasons from 2013 to 2018 and received strong critical acclaim.

Premise

The Americans follows two deep-cover Soviet KGB intelligence officers, Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, who live as a suburban married couple in the United States. Their covert work is complicated by family life, especially their children and their interactions with neighbours and the FBI.

Production and broadcast

The series was created by Joe Weisberg, with Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields serving as showrunners and executive producers. It aired on FX in the United States from 2013 to 2018.

Setting and historical context

The show is set during the Cold War, primarily in the early to late 1980s. Its narrative spans events beginning after Reagan's inauguration and ending shortly before the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

Reception

The Americans received strong critical acclaim and became known for its tension, character development, and historical atmosphere. It was later recognized with major television awards, including Emmy wins for its final season.

Key facts

  • The series centres on Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, KGB officers living undercover as an American married couple.
  • Its storyline is set during the Cold War, beginning after Ronald Reagan's inauguration in 1981 and ending in 1987.
  • The Jennings family includes their children Paige and Henry, whose ordinary lives contrast with the couple's espionage work.
  • The series ran for six seasons and concluded in 2018.
  • It was widely praised by critics and is regarded as one of FX's notable drama series.
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Canadian context

The series was widely viewed in Canada through North American television and streaming distribution, and it is often discussed by Canadian viewers as a major Cold War drama from U.S. cable television.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Americans about?
It is about two Soviet KGB spies who pose as an American married couple while living in suburban Washington, D.C., during the Cold War.
Who created The Americans?
The series was created by Joe Weisberg.
When did The Americans air?
It aired from January 30, 2013, to May 30, 2018.
How many seasons does The Americans have?
The series has six seasons.
Who plays the main characters?
Keri Russell plays Elizabeth Jennings and Matthew Rhys plays Philip Jennings.
Is The Americans based on real events?
Its premise was partly inspired by real Russian sleeper agents uncovered in the United States in 2010.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Americans
    Supports: Core series details, premise, setting, run dates, creator, characters, and structure.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_americans
    Supports: Series premise, genre, and central character relationship.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2149175/
    Supports: Creator, main cast, premise, and inspiration from real sleeper-agent events.
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/70269397
    Supports: Series description, release period, genre tags, and cast.
  5. Disney+ — https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-6deba130-65fb-4816-acb1-aea5eb940f0f
    Supports: Run dates, season count, creator, and lead cast.