Russell discusses the mundane realities of the State Department and finding humanity in powerful people.
DEADLINE: What led you to follow upThe Americanswith this?
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KERI RUSSELL: A lot of things, I guess.
Keri Russell as Kate Wyler in ‘The Diplomat.‘Netfix
I mean, one, it has been enough time.
There was a nice break in between.
I think I just hadnt read something quite like whatDebora Cahnhad created.
From left: Kenichiro Thomson, Ato Essandoh and Russell.Alex Bailey/Netflix
This character that she created, its just fun and good.
Its as simple as that.
Its like having three more kids to sign on to a television show because its such an uphill climb.
So, you have to really love it.
I just thought it was fun.
How much of her character was written on the page versus what you brought to her?
RUSSELL: A lot of her specificity was written on the page.
Its not for everybody, but I find it very enjoyable.
I dont think one disqualifies the other.
DEADLINE: It also adds a bit of humanity to these people who are in huge positions of power.
I personally hate that.
I dont like anyone around me.
That stuff is hard.
So its fun to get to play with that.
DEADLINE: Your work withRufus Sewellis so specific.
It feels like a roller coaster at times.
How did the two of you nail that emotional turmoil in the onscreen relationship?
The ambassador tells me that youre getting divorced.
And then his response is, Have you ever been married?
I think thats the point.
But they want to kill each other too, because its a lot of energy between them.
Its not always for the best.
But how do we nail it?
Its really in the writing.
It either works or it doesnt.
I dont think its something that you’re able to work at.
From day one, we were like, Oh, this will be fine.
Hes just a total pro and hes good, and hes there to work.
He doesnt bring extra bullsh*t to it.
He is delighted in everything that I am delighted about the scripts.
So, its just like a grown-up, great working relationship.
DEADLINE: I have to ask about that scene where you tackle him in the gardens.
I was shocked,but I also was so satisfied.
RUSSELL: It definitely, at that point in episode 3, takes a real screwball turn.
Much to my delight.
It is bonkers in the best way to me.
I love watching this person who is so on top of it…
I feel like Kates entire job is to be in control and manage everyone.
Get everyone into the dinner on time.
Her whole job mom-ing everybody.
Shes like the mom to the world.
And you know what?
Moms are calm until theyre not.
And he broke her.
And then she had to break.
DEADLINE: To be fair, I think weve all had moments where we wish we could tackle someone.
RUSSELL: Whats amazing is Rufus as a person, hes a very big guy.
I am not a big person.
We just looked at each other and said, Are we just gonna do this?
OK, lets just do it.
I was just going crazy.
We were laughing our heads off.
We wanted it to be very uncool, like slapping and ridiculous and desperate and stupid.
Was that an intentional trajectory?
RUSSELL: I dont think I plot it like that at all.
I think its just whatever writing catches me.
I really believe there are way better actors in the world than me.
I dont go, Oh my gosh, Id love to be in that movie.
Just give me any part.
Theres no f*cking way Id do that.
I have to really innately know something about the character or feel like I can move around in it.
Otherwise, I would be bad.
So for me, its the writing.
DEADLINE: The end of Season 1 is pretty insane.
How did it feel leaving the audience in that place?
I was totally surprised too.
But Debora is such a veteran.
Shes been doing this forever.
Shes such a pro.
She knows what shes doing.
Im assuming she had that plan for a while, but I was completely surprised.
RUSSELL: To me, I just love all the simple stuff.
I really love the human behavior stuff.
Thats what I find the most interesting.
A show needs the bigger sweeping plot point things, but thats not what gets me going.
To me, its a really good dramatic fight scene with Rufus or a really funny scene.
I like that fun, weird stuff.
I didnt grow up wanting to be an actor.
I fell into it, and so I havent always loved it.
Im really enjoying myself on this one.
