Keri Russell has made a surprising confession about her relationship with longtime partner Matthew Rhys, revealing why the couple have no plans to marry after nearly 13 years together.
The Diplomat actress, 50, opened up about her unconventional approach to romance during an appearance on Chelsea Handler's Dear Chelsea podcast on Thursday, October 8 2026, explaining that she sees no reason to walk down the aisle again.
"To me, [marriage] is antiquated," she admitted, adding that she and Matthew, 51, are already committed to one another through their family.
© Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W MKeri, who was previously married to carpenter Shane Deary from 2007 to 2014, explained that having experienced a wedding once, she doesn't feel the need to do it again.
The actress also pointed out that women no longer need marriage for financial independence and said she was perfectly happy keeping her own surname.
She went on to explain that she values the freedom of choosing to remain together rather than feeling obligated to do so because of a marriage certificate.
© Getty ImagesKeri and Matthew famously fell in love while playing married Soviet spies on the hit series The Americans, with their off-screen romance beginning in late 2013.
The couple welcomed their son Sam, now ten, in May 2016. Keri is also mom to son River, 19, and daughter Willa, 13, from her previous marriage.
During the candid conversation, Keri also addressed speculation surrounding Matthew's acceptance speeches at the Emmy Awards in September, when he won two trophies but failed to mention her in either speech.
© Getty ImagesThe actress revealed that she had actually encouraged him to leave her out, knowing how nervous he was about speaking in front of the star-studded audience.
"You don't have to thank me. I know you love me," she recalled telling him, explaining that she wanted to take some of the pressure off her partner.
The revelations came as Keri also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, where she shared a hilarious story about a romantic gesture from Matthew that didn't quite go according to plan.
© LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIXThe Welsh actor had organised a special three-day countryside getaway with some of Keri's closest friends to celebrate her milestone 50th birthday in March, while she was overseas filming The Diplomat.
However, after several days of what she described as "excessive drinking", the celebrations finally caught up with her.
Keri revealed that after enjoying dinner on her actual birthday, she began feeling unwell and decided to lie down, only to fall asleep and miss the rest of her own party.
© Getty ImagesHer friends were left to sing Happy Birthday without her, sending the actress a video of the festivities afterwards.
Despite the mishap, Keri insisted she was thoroughly enjoying her new decade, telling Jimmy: "50's good."
The actress is currently promoting the fourth season of Netflix's political drama The Diplomat, which premieres on October 15.
