The Americans has quietly become one of the more dependable crime dramas currently available in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Hulu. Every one of its 6 seasons holds up. 1,075 viewers have already rated it on TMDB — the kind of consensus that does not happen by accident. Keri Russell leads a cast that carries the story without ever feeling mechanical. Put it on tonight on Disney Plus and see for yourself.

The Americans is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. At its heart, The Americans understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. Set during the Cold War period in the 1980s, The Americans is the story of Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet KGB officers posing as an American married couple in the suburbs of Washington D.C. And their neighbor, Stan Beeman, an FBI Counterintelligence agent. Credit to Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys for grounding it — this is a cast that earns the twists. It ran for 6 seasons (2013–2018), and the writing holds up across every one of them. What distinguishes the best crime dramas from the rest is whether the character work can carry scenes where the mystery takes a breath — The Americans passes that test consistently. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

Crime and mystery fans will find exactly what they are after in The Americans. PONIES is the obvious comparison, but The Americans earns its own place alongside it. 6 seasons in, there is no shortage of material once you get started. Keri Russell anchors it, but the writing does the real work. If you are going to commit to one crime drama this month, make it this one.

The Americans wrapped up in 2018, created by Joe Weisberg — and 6 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.