Mickey Mouse

Keri Russell has been a recognisable face on TV screens since the 90s – and she has a famous partner

Netflix’s The Diplomat is back with a third season, featuring Kate Wyler (portrayed by Keri Russell) in an unexpected new role.

Keri Russell, a 49 year old American actress, has been celebrated for her television roles since the 90s.

Born and raised in California, she has an older brother and a younger sister, and due to her father’s job as a Nissan Motors executive, the family moved around frequently.

In 1999, she bagged a Golden Globe Award for her performance in the drama Felicity, and has received four additional nominations for her roles in The Americans and The Diplomat.

In recognition of her contributions to television, she was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.

READ MORE: The Diplomat season 4 explored as fans keen for more after finale bombshellREAD MORE: The Diplomat season 3 release date, cast and trailer as new stars join series

One of her earliest roles was at the tender age of 15, when she featured in the Disney Channel’s revival of The Mickey Mouse Club.

Her dancing skills, honed during her middle school and high school years, helped her secure a spot on the show.

She was a regular cast member from 1991 to 1994, and during this period, she made her film debut in Honey, I Blew Up the Kid.

From 2013 to 2018, she starred opposite Matthew Rhys in the series The Americans, where he played her character’s husband.

The on-screen couple became real-life partners during this period.

Who is Keri Russell’s famous partner?

The Diplomat star was previously married to Shane Deary, a Brooklyn-based contractor whom she met through mutual friends.

They tied the knot in 2007 and have two children – a son and a daughter.

The pair parted ways in 2014 and since then, she’s been romantically linked with Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, famed for his roles in Brothers and Sisters and Perry Mason.

They share a son and despite affectionately referring to each other as husband and wife, they haven’t tied the knot.

The duo have voiced their eagerness to collaborate professionally once more, with Russell suggesting to People that her partner could “totally” join the cast of The Diplomat.

“I think that would probably be more in his court,” she added, indicating their mutual desire to work together again.

“But he’s pretty busy doing a million other things. He’s got, like, five other jobs or something,” she quipped.

The Diplomat airs on Netflix

here are 6 blunders that an expert encourages visitors to avoid when going to Disneyland.

A travel agent who specialises in Disneyland has shared the ultimate no-nos for Brits jetting off to meet Mickey at the happiest place on Earth.

A Disney getaway represents a significant financial commitment, and for many families, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Therefore the important thing to do is pre-prepare so that all of the wonderful opportunities available are not missed.

Hannah Westphal from byHannah Vacations is a travel agent to specialises in Disneyland and Disney World. She says on her website: “The Most Magical Place on Earth will be the most stressful vacation planning you’ve ever done.”

So to that end, here are 6 blunders that the expert encourages visitors to avoid . . .

1. Dressing inappropriately

Hannah warns against impractical clothing choices, stating: “It’s easy to forget, but comfortable shoes are essential for a fantastic Disneyland trip. High heels, flip-flops, and brand-new shoes might not be the best choice after a day of exploring rides and soaking up the magic.”

2. Lingering too long over meals

Additionally, don’t spend ages dining when you could be enjoying attractions. Whilst Disney offers an incredible array of dining options, Hannah advises striking a balance between eating and entertainment

She explained: “If you’re tight for time exploring the parks, a long, leisurely meal might not be the best way to spend your day.

“It’s a shame to see visitors feeling deflated after a lovely meal, only to find they’ve squeezed themselves out of time for their top ride.”

The specialist recommends that guests should either set aside sufficient time for dining or choose swift bite-sized options to maximise their park experience. For those curious about food budgeting, Disneyland has published comprehensive details of all its dining establishments online, including pricing brackets and full menus.

3. Failing to utilise the Disneyland app

To elevate your enchanting adventure, visitors can download the Disneyland app, which the specialist describes as a “fantastic tool” for your trip. Yet countless guests fail to harness its full potential.

“The app provides everything you need to know, from current ride wait times to character meet-and-greets and show schedules,” Hannah explained.

Visitors can also browse their PhotoPass snaps and attraction photos, store their park tickets conveniently on the app, and pre-order meals to avoid lengthy queues.

The specialist recommends downloading the app and establishing your profile well in advance. This approach allows you to familiarise yourself with its capabilities before arrival, preserving valuable park hours for what truly matters – soaking up the enchantment.

4. Standing in line for treats

Few things prove more frustrating than developing an appetite whilst trapped in an endless queue for refreshments at Disneyland (or whilst awaiting an attraction). Thankfully for visitors, there’s a clever strategy to sidestep those interminable waits – pre-ordering your snacks.

Disneyland has come a long way from the days of our childhood, now offering a host of conveniences to its visitors. One such convenience is the ability to pre-order food and drinks via the Disneyland app, allowing guests to bypass queues and spend more time enjoying the attractions.

Hannah explained: “Simply place your order and pay through the app. Once you get a notification that your food’s ready to collect, you can swing by and grab it.”

5. Watching fireworks inside the park

When it comes to the nightly fireworks display, a favourite among park-goers, Hannah cautioned about the typically large crowds that gather to watch.

“While the fireworks are stunning from within the park, you might find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed by the crowds,” she revealed. “For a more relaxed experience, you might want to consider alternative viewing spots outside the park.

6. Not exploring beyond the rides

Hannah also highlighted that there’s more to Disney parks than just the rides; they’re brimming with amazing performances by talented cast members.

She encourages visitors not to overlook these experiences simply because the thrill rides seem like the main attraction.

Hannah advised: “The way I see it, it wouldn’t be a good idea to miss out on a fantastic show just for the sake of a short ride with a lengthy wait.”.

She recommends guests make the most of the parades, spectacular evening shows, and captivating daily events that only Disney parks can provide.

A mum has warned parents thinking of taking their kids to Disney theme parks this year to avoid saying one phrase to their children – as it might cause a ‘meltdown’ in the hotel

If you’re thinking of surprising your children with a Disney-themed getaway this summer, you may want to heed this warning. Disney is a huge part of growing up for many children, and getting the chance to visit one of the company’s theme parks can be an unforgettable experience they remember for the rest of their lives.

But one mum has urged other parents to think carefully about how they tell their children the exciting news, as certain phrases could lead to a “meltdown” at the hotel. In a video on TikTok, the mum and travel agent told parents they should never use one common phrase, as it could give your child unrealistic expectations.

When surprising their child with a Disney trip, parents often say something like: “We’re going to see Mickey Mouse“.

But according to the travel expert, you should never say this – as it will just confuse children when they’re not greeted by the Disney mascot as soon as they get off the plane or enter the park.

She said: “When you tell your young children that you’re going to Walt Disney World, do not, under any circumstances, use the words ‘We’re going to see Mickey Mouse’. Every Disney cast member who works in a hotel lobby knows exactly where I’m going with this.

“I cannot count the number of times I have been in one of those hotel lobbies and a family with a kid who is four or five says ‘It’s time for us to go to our room’, and the kid loses it. Through tears, they scream something like: ‘You promised we were going to see Mickey’.

“What you meant when you told them that was at some point on this vacation, you will get to meet Mickey Mouse. But what your child heard was, as soon as we get out of the car or off the plane, Mickey Mouse will be there to give me a giant hug.”

The mum said she understands why parents use the Mickey Mouse phrase, as she knows young children have “no frame of reference” for what Disney World is, so wouldn’t understand if they were told exactly where they were going.

However, she advised parents to try to get their kids excited for the things that are actually happening on that day. For example, try to make the plane journey exciting or talk about using the swimming pool at the hotel.

The travel agent also said that setting expectations like this is “especially helpful” for children with autism, as it gives them a sense of what they’re walking into ahead of time without overwhelming them with information.

She added: “By design, Disney World is an overstimulating experience, regardless of age. The more you can do to take things one step at a time and slow down the pace, the more fun everyone’s going to have.”

Commenters on the post thanked the mum for her helpful advice. Some even shared stories from their childhood about their own experience with going to a Disney park as a young child.

One person said: “Also, TELL YOUR KID YOU’RE GOING. My parents took me out of school a few days early for a Disney surprise trip when I was six. I thought we were ‘going on a trip’ just for a few hours before school. I had a meltdown in the parking lot because I read the parking sign and realised I would miss presenting my book report.”

Another added: “No, I’m still salty because my parents were going to take me to Disney World in kindergarten, but when they asked me, ‘Do you want to go see Mickey Mouse?’ I said no, so they cancelled the trip.”