The Diplomat season two has premiered on Netflix, and fans are eager to learn more about Keri Russell’s life.
It’s been over a year since the political drama last aired, with season two picking up where the explosive season one cliffhanger left off, leaving Hal Wyler’s (played by Rufus Sewell) life in jeopardy.
With all six episodes now available on the streaming platform as of Friday, November 1, here’s a rundown of Keri Russell’s life.
Early beginnings
Born in March 1976 in California, Russell is the middle child of three siblings to parents Stephanie Stephens and David Russell, a Nissan Motors executive.
Her first role was in the 1992 family film Honey, I Blew Up The Kid, where she played babysitter Mandy Park.
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The 48 year old went on to appear in Emerald Cove, Daddy’s Girls, Married With Children, Malibu Shores, Roar, and 7th Heaven, as well as the 1994 Bon Jovi music video for Always.
Mental health struggles
Russell’s breakthrough role came when she played the lead character Felicity Porter in the WB drama Felicity.
The show ran for four years, earning numerous awards, but Russell initially struggled with the pressures of fame.
She took a two-year break from acting to return to a “normal life”. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the star opened up about her experiences of fame before social media.
She said: “I honestly do not know how you guys all do it, because I’m a nervous, anxious person anyway.
“I remember what it was like moving to New York when I was young and having photographers wait on certain blocks in the West Village where I was living. You feel hunted.
“I was affected by my tiny version of that, and it made me really retreat and not want to be in crowds and not want to go to really fun things.
“Luckily, I think what saved me was, after Felicity, I had worked so hard for those years in my 20s that I didn’t really want to act anymore.
“I took a big long break for almost two years, maybe a year and a half, and I just lived in New York and saw my girlfriends.
“I think that helped me survive that transition, and it helped me stay in the business, actually, because I don’t think I would still be here if I burned myself out at that age.”
Romance
Regarding her personal life, Russell’s former marriage to contractor Shane Deary is mentioned; they met in 2006, married shortly thereafter, and have two children River born in 2007 and Willa in 2012 before their 2013 separation.
Now, she finds happiness with Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who became her husband after reconnecting on the set of The Americans, having first met in 2002 and welcomed their son Sam in 2016.
In addition to The Americans, Rhys has starred in Perry Marson, The Edge Of Love and Brothers And Sisters, among others.
Despite being together for ten years and living in Brooklyn, the couple have yet to reveal any wedding plans.
The Diplomat is available to watch on Netflix.