Matthew Rhys Discusses Whether Keri Russell Will Appear in Widow’s Bay
Matthew Rhys shared his thoughts on the possibility of collaborating with Keri Russell on Widow’s Bay or any upcoming projects following their cherished partnership on The Americans.
“Well, Keri and I have talked about that. Then I also mentioned joining The Diplomat and playing Tom Loftis, which usually gets a quiet response,” Rhys, 51, humorously remarked during an exclusive chat with Us at the Brooklyn Bridge Marina on Tuesday, August 18, for the Brunswick Boat Group Event.
Rhys is enthusiastic about the possibility of appearing alongside Russell, 50, once more.
“However, there’s a risk if you try to replicate something,” he told Us regarding their desire to work together only if it aligns well creatively for both. “If the right project comes along that makes sense for both of us, then it could be great. There’s always that thought of, ‘Oh, you know why they’re doing it.’”
Rhys continued: “If it made sense, I’d absolutely love to.”
The Americans, which aired from 2013 to 2018, depicted the lives of Elizabeth (Russell) and Philip Jennings (Rhys), two Soviet KGB agents secretly living as an American couple in a Virginia suburb near Washington, D.C.
Rhys and Russell met while working on the acclaimed FX series and have remained together since. Both have explored various roles post-The Americans, with Russell receiving a nomination for her role in The Diplomat and Rhys being recognized for his performance in Widow’s Bay.
“I was fortunate enough to produce on Widow’s Bay, and they graciously included me,” Rhys shared with Us about his involvement behind the scenes. “I cherish that inclusion, it feels like being invited to the adults’ table. Plus, I love the surprise of reading the script and thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, that was unexpected.’”
While Rhys remains uncertain about what lies ahead after Widow’s Bay secured a season 2 renewal and received 19 Emmy nominations, he is not opposed to wild speculation.
“The biggest question I keep asking [creator] Katie [Dippold] is, ‘What is the curse? The monster? The island? What is it?’” he noted. “I’m really curious to discover whether it’s something physical that we can address or something within us. I have no clue. All I know is I’m glad I’m not the one writing it.”
He continued: “Part of me wishes Hamish Linklater’s character, Richard, would return. I envision that he could be the curse, always knocking at my door and I’m like, ‘What?’ He’S a constant presence, and I think there could be a lot of fun in that.”
As Rhys waits for the scripts for season 2, he is staying busy collaborating with Brunswick Corporation, celebrating the company’s latest advancements in boating, propulsion, navigation, and marine technology.
“I remember thinking how peaceful it was. The calmness of the water struck me, and I thought, ‘Oh, what a delightful way to spend time,’” Rhys reminisced about his love for boating. “You’re just gazing at the water.”
He added: “After a busy day, there’s nothing I prefer more than visiting Brooklyn Bridge Park and ultimately Brooklyn Bridge Marina to just gaze at the water. I think that is the true treasure we have as New Yorkers; being so near to the water is such a great asset and incredibly soothing.”
Rhys spoke with Us while enjoying the scenery on the NAVAN C30. Brunswick also offers a variety of other options such as the Boston Whaler 405 Conquest, 210 Guardian, and 330 Outrage, the Sea Ray SLX 360, the Elite, the Mercury Racing x MTI 440X Catamaran, the Textron TSUNAMI 25′, and more.
“I’m not sure why, but I had the wild idea of owning a boat, which is ridiculous. What you really need are friends with boats. That’s the ultimate goal,” Rhys chuckled. “Or what we attempt to provide with Brunswick is access to the water without the need for boat ownership, which is a much more sensible option.”
