Keri Russell became a TV star on “Felicity,” playing a college student who follows her high school crush to college in New York. She then gets caught in a love triangle.
Russell, 50, is an Emmy nominee this year for her role as Kate Wyler on “The Diplomat.” She revealed the lesson she learned about acting on the ’90s romantic drama that stayed with her, along with a costar who became a long-lasting friend.
Keri Russell Learns Losing Characters Like ‘Felicity’ Have Freedom
“Felicity” had many beautiful guest stars to play love interests. Tyra Banks, Lisa Edelstein from “House,” and Jennifer Garner played love interests on the show. Russell learned that her starring role was different from theirs.
“Before I really knew what acting was, on ‘Felicity,’ I would watch the girls,” Russell told Variety. “I was like, ‘Oh, right, I don’t have to do any of that.’ I didn’t wear makeup and wore big, baggy sweaters, and there’s a real freedom to that. You get to be funny; you get to be loose. It’s hard to do the other stuff.”
She explained that she didn’t have any training besides the “Mickey Mouse Club” before the series. “The Americans” star continues to prefer imperfect characters.
“You always want to be losing,” she said. “You don’t ever want to be, like, She’s the best surgeon in the entire Northeast.“
Keri Russell and Scott Speedman Stayed Friends After ‘Felicity’
GettyRussell and Scott Speedman, who played Ben Covington, stayed friends after “Felicity” ended in 2002. They reflected on working together in a Variety interview last year. Speedman, 50, admitted he was surprised to see Russell after learning about her character.
“I remember meeting you at the read-through a couple of days later. I thought clearly you were miscast. I thought it was supposed to be this nerd. Then I was like, ‘The chick from ‘Malibu Shores’ is playing Felicity?'” the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actor said.
Felicity was known for her curly hair. That legacy continues on her latest show. “There does seem to be a lot of talk about your hair in this show as well. Is that a contractual thing, you and your hair?” Speedman joked.
“Allison Janney rips you a new one about how your character looks. She says, ‘Your hair looks like [expletive]. You could use a different bra — I’m getting headlights here.’ And then she sees a safety pin [keeping your pants up]. You must have loved doing that scene,” he said. Russell agreed that it was funny.
This is Russell’s eighth Emmy nomination, and this time it’s for leading actress in an outstanding drama series. She is still partnered with her “The Americans” costar, Matthew Rhys. Rhys is also nominated this year for lead actor in a comedy series for “Widow’s Bay.”
The 2026 Emmy Awards show is on Monday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. The show can be streamed live on Peacock.
