Episodes
June Thomas talks with Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys about their feelings about the series finale. Then Noah Emmerich and Brandon J. Dirden discuss their reactions to Stan Beeman's and Dennis Aderholt's behavior in Episode 610. Finally, Russell, Rhys, Emmerich, Dirden, and Costa Ronin share their strongest memories from their time on the show.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode.
Published 05/31/18
Published 05/31/18
June Thomas talks with showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields about about a hunter becoming a protector, Elizabeth’s flashbacks, and Claudia’s disappointment with the illegals. Then we hear from actor Costa Ronin, who plays Oleg Burov, about his response to his character’s fate. Spycraft expert H. Keith Melton explains the ins and outs of cyanide guns, and director Chris Long talks us through that spectacular scene involving young Elizabeth, a horse, and a motorcycle. And finally, Brandon...
Published 05/24/18
June Thomas talks with showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields about Philip’s truth-telling, an unusual act of kindness on Elizabeth’s part, and why the characters on The Americans watch so much television. Then we hear from Alyssa Monks, the artist who created Erica Haskard’s paintings, about how she felt when she learned that Elizabeth was going to burn a piece of art that holds special significance for her. Finally, The Americans’ design team—production designer Dan Davis, set decorator...
Published 05/17/18
June Thomas talks with Sarah Nolen, who wrote Episode 607, “Harvest,” about why she sees Philip's actions in the garage as "romantic"; why Philip and Elizabeth involved a day laborer in the Chicago operation; and Nolen's career path from assistant to writer. Then we hear snippets from conversations with Noah Emmerich, H. Keith Melton, and Ian McLaughlin about key moments in this episode.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes...
Published 05/10/18
June Thomas talks with Stephen Schiff and Justin Weinberger, who wrote Episode 606, “Rififi,” about how distance has helped Henry see family dynamics more clearly; why Stan is mad at Agent Aderholt, and why Philip decides to join Elizabeth on an out-of-town adventure. Then Amanda Pollack, who has been an editor on The Americans since Season 1, explains how she pieces the show together. Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes...
Published 05/03/18
June Thomas talks with Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys about Elizabeth’s loneliness, Philip’s failures as a businessman, and the significance of the fight between Philip and Paige. She then chats with showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields about Paige’s youthful rebellion, whether Elizabeth honey-trapped Philip, and why Philip changed the nature of his relationship with Kimmy. Finally, the show’s stunt coordinator, Ian McLaughlin, talks about the characters’ fighting styles.Note: This podcast...
Published 04/26/18
June Thomas talks with showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields about Episode 604 of The Americans, "Mr. & Mrs. Teacup." She then chats with actor Costa Ronin, who plays Oleg Burov, about his Season 6 beard and other important issues. Finally, she talks with H. Keith Melton, who advises the creative team about intelligence-gathering techniques and technology and supplies many of the show’s spy gadgets from his personal collection, about KGB attitudes to hardware updates, Elizabeth’s...
Published 04/19/18
June Thomas talks with showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields about Episode 603 of The Americans, "Urban Transport Planning." She then chats with actor Noah Emmerich, who plays Stan Beeman, about how Stan is doing in 1987 and what it has been like to tackle a multi-season role for the first time. Finally, editor Katie Ennis, who has been responsible for many of the "previously on" teasers that precede each episode, explains how they're made.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant...
Published 04/12/18
June Thomas talks with showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields about Episode 602 of The Americans, "Tchaikovsky." She then chats with Brooklyn artist Alyssa Monks about her experience creating the art for the character of Erica Haskard. Finally, set decorator Mila Khalevich and art director Tim Goodmanson talk about the special challenges of creating a set that looks like the home of an artist.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New...
Published 04/05/18
June Thomas talks with showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields, costume designer Katie Irish, and producing director Chris Long about Episode 601 of The Americans, "Dead Hand." Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Wednesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 03/29/18
June Thomas talks with actors Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys, showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields, and producing director Chris Long about Episode 513, "The Soviet Division." Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 05/31/17
June Thomas talks with showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields about Episode 512, "The World Council of Churches." She then chats with producing director Chris Long about filming in Moscow.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 05/24/17
June Thomas talks with showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields about Episode 511, "Dyatkovo." She then chats with producing director Chris Long about his job and the special challenges and opportunities of Season 5.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 05/17/17
June Thomas talks with Stephen Schiff, who wrote Episode 510, "Darkroom." Later, she chats with Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys about the episode's surprising development, and prop master Daniel Fischer shares some of the show's behind-the-scenes secrets.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 05/10/17
June Thomas talks with Peter Ackerman who wrote Episode 509, "IHOP." Later, she chats with Alison Wright about how she sees her character, Martha Hanson, coping with life in Moscow.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 05/03/17
June Thomas talks with Tracey Scott Wilson who wrote Episode 508, "Immersion." Later, she chats with Costa Ronin, who plays Oleg Burov, about his character's evolution and what it was like to film in Moscow.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 04/26/17
June Thomas talks with Matthew Rhys about his experience directing Episode 507, while Keri Russell, Joe Weisberg, and Joel Fields contribute thoughts on how it fits into the season arc. Then design director Dan Davis, set dresser Mila Khalevich, and art director Tim Goodmanson discuss this season’s design challenges.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 04/19/17
June Thomas discusses "Crossbreed" with Stephen Schiff, who wrote the episode. She then learns how the visual effects team made it appear that Gabriel was visiting the Lincoln Memorial when actor Frank Langella was in New York. Finally, property master Dan Fischer explains how he finds housewares and cars that can pass for 1980s Russian.
Published 04/12/17
June Thomas joins Joe Weisberg, Joel Fields, and Noah Emmerich, who plays Stan Beeman and directed this episode, at the sound synch to discuss the latest developments. (And, yes, they explain what a sound synch involves.) Then we check in with actor Costa Ronin to find out how he sees that final scene.
Published 04/05/17
Actors Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys join showrunners Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields to discuss the state of the Jenningses' relationship. Rhys also reveals why some actors are happy when their characters are given scenes that involve food. Then Peter Ackerman, who wrote this episode, talks about the big relationship shift that was revealed this week.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 03/29/17
Writer Tracey Scott Wilson joins Slate's June Thomas to discuss the third episode of the show's penultimate season. Then costume designer Katie Irish shares her personal connections with many of the Season 5 disguises, points out a detail from Claudia's wardrobe, and talks about the dress styles of teenage boys of the 1980s.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at 10pm on FX. 
Published 03/22/17
Showrunners Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg join Slate's June Thomas to discuss the second episode of the show's penultimate season. They discuss the Jenningses' parenting skills--and whether the trick Philip and Elizabeth taught Paige at the end of the episode is actually effective. Several members of the crew talk about the challenges they faced creating the greenhouse scene, then director of photography Dan Stoloff talks about his job.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be...
Published 03/15/17
Showrunners Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg join Slate's June Thomas to discuss the premiere of the show's penultimate season. They discuss new characters Tuan and the Morozovs--and Philip and Elizabeth's new operational identities as Brad and  Dee Eckert. Then several members of the crew talk about the challenges they faced creating the episode's climactic 12-minute scene.Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Tuesdays at...
Published 03/08/17
Kerri Russell (Elizabeth) and Matthew Rhys (Philip) join June Thomas and show runners Joel Fields and Joe Weisberg to discuss the season finale. Plus Matthew Rhys's favorite on-set moments, the reason Keri Russell says she enjoys acting now more than ever, and the challenges of sculpting a season finale that sits in the sweet spot of satisfying, but not too satisfying. Note: This podcast contains spoilers and is meant to be enjoyed after you watch the episode. New episodes air Wednesdays at...
Published 06/09/16