This undated publicity photo released by FX shows Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings, left, and Matthew Rhys as Phillip Jennings in a scene from "The Americans." The new FX drama, airing Wednesday at 10 p.m. EST on FX, focuses on two KGB spies posing as an ordinary American couple shortly after Ronald Reagan was elected president. (AP Photo/FX, Craig Blankenhorn)
Russell and Rhys play Russian spies in the 'burbs
This undated publicity photo released by FX shows Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings, left, and Matthew Rhys as Phillip Jennings in a scene from "The Americans." The new FX drama, airing Wednesday at 10 p.m. EST on FX, focuses on two KGB spies posing as an ordinary American couple shortly after Ronald Reagan was elected president. (AP Photo/FX, Craig Blankenhorn)
By FRAZIER MOORE
AP Television Writer /
February 11, 2013
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‘‘Basically, there’s a slap in that scene,’’ Russell adds. ‘‘But when the first guy came in, I didn’t do it.’’
Then it was Rhys’ turn. ‘‘The director said, ‘Slap him.’ So I went for it.’’
Rhys picks up the story: ‘‘Strange as it may sound, she slaps incredibly well. In the same place every time, and never near your eye. The swing of her arm was incredibly violent, but her wrist remained soft, so there wasn’t much force behind it.’’
Clearly, he and Russell connected.
‘‘And now it’s become this ongoing joke,’’ he says. ‘‘Keri will slap me — not hard — just before a take, just to see how I react. I feel like Inspector Clouseau and she’s Cato. It’s a surreal feeling to have the demure, angelic Keri Russell wallop you across the chops at any moment. But it’s great!’’
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Online:
http://www.fxnetworks.com
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Frazier Moore is a national television columnist for The Associated Press. He can be reached at fmoore(at)ap.org and at http://www.twitter.com/tvfrazier
© Copyright 2013 Globe Newspaper Company.
