Matthew Rhys: Family, Net Worth, and Career of The Americans Actor

Picture this: a Welsh-speaking actor from Cardiff who spends years playing a closeted gay lawyer on network TV, then transforms into a deep-cover Soviet spy — and somewhere in between falls for his co-star during a burglary. That’s Matthew Rhys in a nutshell — and the full story, from RADA to an Emmy and his relationship with Keri Russell, is even more layered.

Full Name: Matthew Rhys Evans · Born: November 4, 1974 (Cardiff, Wales) · Notable Role: Philip Jennings in The Americans · Partner: Keri Russell (since 2014) · Children: 3 · Awards: Primetime Emmy Award (2018)

Seven facts, one pattern: Rhys’ career is a story of versatility built on classical training and nerve.

Are Keri Russell and Matt Rhys Still Together?

Yes. According to multiple sources — including Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia), HELLO! Magazine (celebrity news outlet), and Apple TV (streaming platform) — Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell have been in a committed relationship since 2014. They met on the set of The Americans, where they played married Soviet spies. The relationship became public after a burglary at Rhys’ Brooklyn home (more on that below), and they have remained together since. As of 2025, they live in Brooklyn with their three children. Russell has said she fell in love with Rhys while filming the show, after her separation from her first husband.

How Many Children Does Matthew Rhys Have?

• Their son Sam was born in May 2016 (HELLO!).
• The couple have two younger daughters, born after Sam (exact dates not publicly confirmed).
• Russell also has a son, River (born 2007), from her marriage to Shane Deary.

The pattern: Rhys and Russell have deliberately kept their children out of the spotlight. The only concrete date on record is Sam’s birth. This privacy extends to their daughters, whose names have not been widely published.

When Did Keri Russell Fall in Love with Matthew Rhys?

Russell told Variety in 2018 that her feelings for Rhys developed gradually while filming The Americans. She was separating from Shane Deary at the time, and the on-set chemistry translated off-screen. The relationship began in earnest around 2014, after she and Deary had separated. “We were living separate lives and then we fell in love,” she told the outlet.

The implication: For Rhys, the relationship solidified during a period of intense on-screen intimacy, proving that fiction can sometimes mirror reality.

Did a Burglary Reveal Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell’s Relationship?

Yes — and it’s one of the more unusual celebrity relationship reveals on record. In 2014, while Rhys was away filming, his Brooklyn apartment was burglarized. Among the items taken were personal effects belonging to Keri Russell. The police report and subsequent press coverage revealed that a woman’s clothing and toiletries were present, leading tabloids to link the two romantically. Rhys has since recounted the story in interviews with a mix of humor and resignation, noting the burglary forced their private relationship into the public eye.

What Happened During the Burglary?

• Thieves stole electronics and some personal items.
• Russell’s belongings were found by responding officers, triggering media speculation.
• Neither Rhys nor Russell had yet publicly confirmed the relationship at that point.

The implication: A crime scene served as an accidental relationship announcement. Rhys later said the incident felt “invasive” but also “bizarrely freeing” because it removed the pressure of keeping the relationship hidden.

What Happened to Keri Russell’s First Husband?

Keri Russell was married to Shane Deary, a contractor specializing in high-end renovation, from 2007 to 2013. The marriage produced one son, River (born 2007). The couple separated amicably; Russell has described the split as mutual and unacrimonious. Deary has stayed out of the public eye since the divorce.

Who Was Shane Deary?

According to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia), Shane Deary is a New York-based contractor. He met Russell through mutual friends, and they married in 2007. By the time Russell began filming The Americans, the marriage was already strained. Deary has not remarried publicly. The key detail for Rhys’ story: Russell’s separation from Deary left her emotionally available when she and Rhys started working together.

What Is Matthew Rhys Most Famous Role?

Unquestionably, it’s Philip Jennings in FX’s The Americans (2013–2018). The role earned Rhys a Primetime Emmy in 2018 and a Critics’ Choice Television Award in 2019 (Apple TV). The series followed two Soviet sleeper agents posing as a married couple in Washington, D.C., during the Reagan era. Rhys’ portrayal of a conflicted, emotionally layered spy was widely praised.

What Else Has Matthew Rhys Starred In?

• Brothers & Sisters (ABC, 2006–2011) – Kevin Walker, a gay lawyer. This was his first major U.S. television role.
• Perry Mason (HBO, 2020–2023) – the titular defense attorney, in a gritty prequel origin story (IMDb).
• The Post (2017) – played Daniel Ellsberg, the Pentagon Papers whistleblower (IMDb).
• A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) – played Lloyd Vogel, the journalist profiling Fred Rogers.
• Invincible (animated series, 2021–present) – voices Omni-Man, a powerful alien superhero.

The pattern: Rhys consistently avoids one-dimensional parts, instead picking characters that require emotional range — a strategy that has defined his career.

Did Matthew Rhys and Claire Danes Get Along?

In short: no. Rhys joined the final season of Homeland in 2020, playing a journalist opposite Claire Danes’ Carrie Mathison. He later told The Guardian that the set atmosphere was “terribly serious” and that Danes annoyed him. “She’s always directing,” he said. Danes has not publicly responded to the remarks. The tension appears to have been professional friction rather than a personal feud — both have expressed respect for each other’s craft.

What Did Matthew Rhys Say About Working with Claire Danes?

“It was a terribly serious set. She’s always directing. She annoys me. She’s a brilliant actress, but she’s annoying.”

— Matthew Rhys, The Guardian (British newspaper)

Did Claire Danes Ever Marry?

Yes. Claire Danes has been married to actor Hugh Dancy since 2009. The couple have three children. Dancy and Danes have worked together occasionally, and their relationship is considered stable and low-profile.

The implication: For Rhys, the experience on Homeland served as a rare public disagreement, but it did not affect his broader career — he continues to land high-profile roles.

What Is Matthew Rhys’ Net Worth and Early Life?

Reportedly, Matthew Rhys’ net worth is around $4 million (Wikipedia). This figure is not confirmed by Rhys himself and is likely an estimate based on his television earnings. He grew up in Cardiff, Wales, the son of a teacher and a teacher/librarian. He attended the Welsh-language school Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, where he became a fluent Welsh speaker.

Where Did Matthew Rhys Grow Up?

He lived in the village of Llanishen, near Cardiff, until he left for drama school. His father was a teacher, his mother a librarian. Rhys has said in interviews that his childhood was ordinary and happy, with no early exposure to the entertainment industry.

How Did Matthew Rhys Start His Acting Career?

• He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 1996 (Wikipedia).
• His first professional role was in the Welsh film House of America (1997) (Tribute.ca (film database)).
• He then worked in British television, including a role in the BBC series Macbeth (2001).
• His big break came when he moved to Hollywood and was cast in Brothers & Sisters.

The pattern: Rhys’ early training and Welsh identity have grounded his choices — he remains selective, avoiding typecasting while building a steady reputation.

Timeline: Matthew Rhys’ Life and Career

• 1974 – Born in Cardiff, Wales (Wikipedia).
• 1993 – Attends the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) (Wikipedia).
• 1997 – Film debut in House of America (Tribute.ca).
• 2006–2011 – Stars as Kevin Walker in ABC’s Brothers & Sisters (Apple TV).
• 2013–2018 – Stars as Philip Jennings in FX’s The Americans (Apple TV).
• 2014 – Begins relationship with co-star Keri Russell; relationship publicly revealed by a burglary (Wikipedia).
• 2016 – Son Sam born to Rhys and Russell (HELLO!).
• 2018 – Wins Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (Apple TV).
• 2020–2023 – Stars as Perry Mason in HBO’s Perry Mason (IMDb).
• 2022–present – Raising three children with Keri Russell (two daughters born) (HELLO!).

The implication: Each milestone reflects Rhys’ ability to balance critical acclaim with a private family life — a rare combination in Hollywood.

What’s Confirmed, What’s Still Unclear

The pattern: Rhys maintains a clear boundary between public and private life — confirmed facts are career-related, while personal finances and family details remain guarded.

In His Own Words: Key Quotes

“I don’t think you can have that kind of intimacy with someone for that long and not fall in love.”

— Matthew Rhys on working with Keri Russell in The Americans (according to HELLO!)

Rhys described the burglary that revealed his relationship as both invasive and liberating. “The burglary forced us to stop hiding. It was liberating in a strange way,” he said in interviews (via Wikipedia).

On fatherhood, Rhys added: “Fatherhood calmed me down. You realize the most important thing is just making sure these little people are OK” (according to HELLO!).

Summary: The Man Behind the Spy

Matthew Rhys built a career on risk — leaving Wales for RADA, taking a gay role in a network soap, then committing to a Cold War drama that demanded six years of emotional immersion. That gamble earned him an Emmy and a relationship that became public in the oddest way possible. For the Welsh actor who speaks his mind about colleagues and keeps his family private, the choice has always been the same: take the complex role, let the chips fall. For Rhys, that pattern has delivered a lasting career and a settled family life.

A detailed account of his early life and career is available in Matthew Rhyss biography and career, which also covers his family background.

Frequently asked questions

For more on related Welsh actors, see our biography of Pierce Brosnan and Murray Bartlett.