Fans of period dramas are devouring 'The Americans,' a series hailed as a masterpiece spy thriller, with many admitting to staying up late to binge-watch all six seasons. The show, which earned Matthew Rhys an Emmy, is available to stream on Disney+.
Plot and Setting
The Americans is a period drama centered on two KGB spies posing as a married American couple in suburban Washington D.C. during the Reagan administration in the 1980s. Their arranged marriage gradually evolves into a genuine relationship, but the pressures of their mission take a personal toll, especially regarding their American-born children, Paige and Henry. They also face constant threat from their neighbor and friend, FBI agent Stan Beeman, who is tasked with uncovering Soviet operatives.
Critical and Fan Reception
The series, which aired from 2013 to 2018, is critically acclaimed, boasting a 96% overall rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with season three achieving a perfect 100% score. Fans have shared their enthusiasm online, with one stating, 'I simply devoured this series.' Another commented, 'I genuinely think this is up there with the best things ever created on TV.' A third viewer added, 'One of the greatest series of all time. Action, suspense, thought provoking drama and politics are all combined in what I think is the best spy series I've ever seen.'
Binge-Watching Behavior
Many fans confess to binge-watching the show rapidly. One viewer said, 'The Americans is one of the best spy shows ever created. Just go watch it, but make sure you give yourself a lot of time because you're going to want to binge it as fast as you can.' Another admitted, 'We probably stayed up way later than we should have watching episode after episode many nights in a row, but we couldn't stop.'
Comparisons to Other Spy Series
Some fans compare it favorably to other spy dramas. One noted, 'Homeland is the best, the king of spy series. Well, that's what I thought before. The Americans is better.' Another added, 'There's a reason that The Americans is one of the best reviewed shows and that's because it's fantastic! It's easily one of the two or three most thrilling spy shows ever created!'
Streaming Availability
The Americans is currently streaming on Disney+, allowing new audiences to discover this acclaimed series.
