Actress Keri Russell Seeks to Learn Welsh for Son

Keri Russell, a prominent actress from the television series The Diplomat, has expressed her desire to acquire the Welsh language to communicate with her son. Russell is currently in a long-term relationship with Matthew Rhys, an actor originally from Cardiff, whom she first encountered during the production of the spy drama The Americans. The 48-year-old actress mentioned that she has absorbed fundamental Welsh phrases by listening to Rhys converse with his relatives and their son, Sam. Russell informed Lucy Owen, stating: “I know bore da, nos da, I know how to count, normal liveable things. But Math speaks to Sam almost exclusively in Welsh.” Russell indicated her intention to visit Nant Gwytheyrn, a Welsh learners’ centre located in Llithfaen, Gwynedd, due to her growing fascination with Welsh culture. She remarked, “Everything about the Welsh culture from the eisteddfod, everything is surrounded by poetry and dance and art in general.” She added, “Meeting Math and learning about that, it’s just very much a part of who he is, and how cool that kids grow up performing in this ancient tradition of art and dance and singing.” In her role on The Diplomat, Russell portrays Kate Wyler, the US ambassador to the UK, a character being prepared for a potential vice presidential nomination. The second season of the series premiered on Netflix this week. Russell commented that any resemblances between the show’s narrative and current US political events, particularly the ongoing US presidential race, were unintentional. She explained that the writing and filming occurred “so long ago” but experienced interruptions and delays due to strikes by writers and actors. Russell stated, “Although this is extremely topical, we had made our show well before all of this.” She continued, “Though I will say there is a lot of vice presidential talk. There’s one pretty spicy scene where my husband’s character says some pretty disparaging things to the vice president character, and that’s taken from real life.” Russell expressed gratitude for the opportunity to portray a powerful and intelligent female character. Russell noted, “There was a time for women in this industry where you’d be almost 50 and things were kind of ending.” She concluded, “So to get the opportunity to do a project like this that is so smart and so funny, everything I want it to be, I’m beyond grateful.”