Check out our definitive list of the best series to binge watch of the year, see which show we ranked as #3.
3. The Americans (FX – 2013 to 2018): Ponch 10/10 – The Best Series To Binge Watch Of The Year
The rundown
“The Americans” is an American “Cold War” spy drama set in the 1980’s. Philip (Mathews Rhys) and Elizabeth Jennings (Keri Russell) are two Soviet KGB spies in an arranged marriage who are posing as Americans in suburban Washington, D.C., shortly after Ronald Reagan is elected President. They have a family. A teenage son and daughter, neither of which knows their parents are Russian spies. They tell Paige (Holy Taylor) their daughter, after some time has passed. Philip begins to warm up to America’s values and way of life; Elizabeth does not share his feelings.
Plenty of accolades
As the Cold War escalates, their marriage and family core are tested, and they have tough decisions to make. Further complicating things is their new neighbor, FBI agent Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich), who is part of a new division of the agency tasked with fighting foreign agents on U.S. soil. The drama series was created by a former CIA agent Joe Weisberg. Nominated for 18 Emmys, winning four with Rhys finally taking home the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2018, and Margo Martindale winning twice for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, “The Americans” is criminally underrated.
Deep plot and well thought out
This was the best dramatic acting on cable TV of the decade. The love story has a wealth of incredible emotional layers, but the emphasis is always on spying and the cold war. It is a little slower paced and nuanced than most shows, but with a much deeper plot and story. The interaction between Jennings family is surreal. “The Americans” was well thought out and planned, unlike most shows it knew exactly where it was going.
Underrated until now
FX dominated the decade with all of their original programming, but this show was the best drama they had to offer. With each season we get more and more out of Rhys and Russell as they go deeper and deeper into their mission. There are so many perfect intricacies to this series, but it’s Phillip’s internal struggle regarding his family and Elisabeth’s dedication to their mission that drive the drama. Russell especially is so captivating, and Rhys was so underrated until they finally recognized him for his work in the final season. They both should have been nominated for Emmy’s every year. The show’s final season was quite possibly it’s best, people will be talking about this show as one of the best dramas ever made for years to come and it will keep gaining more fans in retrospect. “The Americans” is the rare show, much like “The Wire” that will be more appreciated as time goes on and more people watch it. The series will age well and stay relevant. It will keep inching up critics and viewers best of all time lists year after year, easily landing in the top 10 of most people’s list.
IMDB 8.4/10 – RT 96% – Metacritic 89%
Streaming On: Amazon Prime Subscription
The Americans – The Best Series To Binge Watch Of The Year
There are six seasons total.
All of ‘The Americans’ Is Now On Amazon Prime Video. While the sixth and final season of The Americans came to a close on FX in May, you can now watch seasons 1-6 of the spy drama on Amazon Prime Video
The Americans premiered in the United States on January 30, 2013, and concluded on May 30, 2018, after six seasons.
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