‘The Americans’ Season 2: Most Killable Characters Upped to Series Regular

FX's 'The Americans' has proven a somewhat divisive, if successful series in its inaugural run, which wrapped up a few weeks ago in the nail-biting closer of "The Colonel." The Cold War drama had already been renewed for a second season, to debut in 2014, but is the series about to throw a major curveball at two characters most viewers assumed were cannon fodder? Get the latest on 'The Americans' season 2 inside!

Across the board, fans of 'The Americans' first season went into the finale, "The Colonel," assuming that at least one of two peripheral characters would bite the dust, that of outed triple agent Nina (Annet Mahendru) or perhaps the hapless newly married Martha (Alison Wright). Producers surprised fans with both characters' survival, without any real endangerment to boot, though now things may grow even more complicated for Nina and Martha.

According to FX, Mahendru and Wright have officially been upgraded to series regulars for season 2, joining the similarly elevated Susan Misner. “Annet Mahendru has been a revelation as Nina, bringing the character to life with a rich and subtle depth that keeps you guessing as to what's really percolating under the surface,” said executive producers Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields. “And Alison Wright's portrayal of Martha is heartbreakingly real at every turn. We are thrilled to add them to our outstanding company of actors.”

Still uncertain is the involvement of recurring star Margo Martindale, who remains attached to CBS' untitled Greg Garcia pilot featuring 'Arrested Development's' Will Arnett. We'll find out in the next few weeks if CBS opts to go through with the pilot, but Weisberg and Fields previously expressed their optimism that Martindale could at least appear in some capacity.

Well, what say you? Are you surprised 'The Americans' has upgraded two characters initially thought to have targets on their backs? What new secrets will season 2 unlock when it premieres in 2014?