The intriguing world of espionage and wig work on The Americans may be stylish and cinematic, but it’s definitely drawn from reality.
Set in the early 80s during the Cold War, the FX series follows a pair of married KGB agents (Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys) posing as all-American suburbanites. While they spend their nights coning, seducing, and killing their way to government secrets, they struggle to discern whether their loyalties lie with Mother Russia or with the very real family they’ve created.
In the brand new feaurette titled “Operation Ghost Stories – Real World Events,” which will be found on the upcoming Blu-Ray release and can be seen in the above video, the stars, creator Joe Weisberg and executive producer Joel Fields discuss the true (and shockingly recent) stories that inspired the acclaimed series. This includes the 2010 arrest of Anna Chapman and nine others who were caught operating a spy ring in the U.S. on behalf of the Russian government.
Season 3 of The Americans is set to premiere on January 28th. While you wait, check out the bonus feature clip above and be sure to pick up the Blu-Ray as it’s now available in stores!