Matthew Rhys Says Partner Keri Russell Is 'a Very Shy Person' — to the Extent That Even the Doorbell Wigs Her Out

Mar. 15, 2025

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys attend Netflix’s 2024 Golden Globe After Party at Spago on January 07, 2024.Photo:Emma McIntyre/Getty

Emma McIntyre/Getty

Keri Russellmay be a well-known actress, but her partnerMatthew Rhysexplains that she is “naturally a very shy person. “Rhys, 49,who met Russell while costarring in FX’sThe Americansfrom 2013 to 2018, shared in aVarietyprofile about the actress that being in front of the camera is one of her least favorite things.“It’s rare that she’s enthusiastic about acting. I mean, there’s a genuine — it’s not so much a ‘dislike’; that’s too strong a word — it’s a discomfort, I think,” he told the outlet in an interview published on Wednesday, Oct. 16.Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell attend a reading of the play “Dear Mr. Thomas: A New Play for Voices” at 92nd Street Y on May 14, 2024 in New York City.Gary Gershoff/Getty"She is naturally a very shy person, and to expose herself in that way day after day, I think she finds both taxing and challenging. But she is a mind, and she loves being challenged, and she loves words — books are her biggest passion,” continued Rhys. “Words and narrative are her great love.“The actor told the publication that Russell, who now stars in the hit Netflix political thrillerThe Diplomat, is so shy that she won’t answer the doorbell and will get stressed about Zoom calls — something she doesn’t deny.Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys attend the HBO/ HBO Max Post Emmys Reception at San Vicente Bungalows on September 19, 2021.Christopher Polk/FilmMagic for HBO/HBO Max"I hate being watched. Oh my God, it’s the worst. I had to do two photo shoots last week, so I had to drink a beer,” Russell, 48, toldVariety. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God, they’re gonna be watching me.’ It’s my nightmare.”The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!The actress credited this as a reason she doesn’t automatically say yes to acting projects.Keri Russell attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024.Frazer Harrison/Getty"I never want to work. So it takes me a lot to get to the point of saying yes,” she told the outlet. “And what usually is the unshakable thing that moves me out of the comfort zone is that it’s just a story I can’t stop thinking about.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Season 2 ofThe Diplomatarrives on Netflix on Thursday, Oct. 31.

Keri Russellmay be a well-known actress, but her partnerMatthew Rhysexplains that she is “naturally a very shy person. "

Rhys, 49,who met Russell while costarring in FX’sThe Americansfrom 2013 to 2018, shared in aVarietyprofile about the actress that being in front of the camera is one of her least favorite things.

“It’s rare that she’s enthusiastic about acting. I mean, there’s a genuine — it’s not so much a ‘dislike’; that’s too strong a word — it’s a discomfort, I think,” he told the outlet in an interview published on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell attend a reading of the play “Dear Mr. Thomas: A New Play for Voices” at 92nd Street Y on May 14, 2024 in New York City.Gary Gershoff/Getty

Gary Gershoff/Getty

“She is naturally a very shy person, and to expose herself in that way day after day, I think she finds both taxing and challenging. But she is a mind, and she loves being challenged, and she loves words — books are her biggest passion,” continued Rhys. “Words and narrative are her great love.”

The actor told the publication that Russell, who now stars in the hit Netflix political thrillerThe Diplomat, is so shy that she won’t answer the doorbell and will get stressed about Zoom calls — something she doesn’t deny.

Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys attend the HBO/ HBO Max Post Emmys Reception at San Vicente Bungalows on September 19, 2021.Christopher Polk/FilmMagic for HBO/HBO Max

“I hate being watched. Oh my God, it’s the worst. I had to do two photo shoots last week, so I had to drink a beer,” Russell, 48, toldVariety. “I’m like, ‘Oh my God, they’re gonna be watching me.’ It’s my nightmare.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

The actress credited this as a reason she doesn’t automatically say yes to acting projects.

Keri Russell attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024.Frazer Harrison/Getty

Frazer Harrison/Getty

“I never want to work. So it takes me a lot to get to the point of saying yes,” she told the outlet. “And what usually is the unshakable thing that moves me out of the comfort zone is that it’s just a story I can’t stop thinking about.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Season 2 ofThe Diplomatarrives on Netflix on Thursday, Oct. 31.

source: people.com