Peacock’s ‘Ponies’ Brings Cold War Espionage to Life with Emilia Clarke

A Fresh Take on Cold War Espionage

The series premiered on January 15, 2026, on Peacock, bringing a unique perspective to the spy thriller genre. The espionage term ‘Ponies’ derives from the acronym for ‘persons of no interest’, a clever premise that drives this eight-episode series into compelling territory.

‘Ponies’ is the first leading TV role for Clarke, also an executive producer, since the end of ‘Game of Thrones’ over half a decade ago. The show marks a significant departure from her fantasy roots, demonstrating her range as an actress in a contemporary setting.

Plot and Setting

Set in Moscow during the winter of 1977, two ‘PONIES,’ ‘persons of no interest’ in intelligence speak, work anonymously as secretaries in the American Embassy until their husbands are killed under mysterious circumstances in the USSR, and the pair become CIA operatives.

Bea (Clarke) is an over-educated, Russian-speaking child of Soviet immigrants. Her cohort, Twila (Richardson), is a small-town girl who is as abrasive as she is fearless. Together, they work to uncover a vast Cold War conspiracy and solve the mystery that made them widows in the first place.

Critical Reception and Performance

All eight episodes in the series were released on January 15, 2026, making the show a perfect new year binge. The show has garnered positive attention for its unique approach to the spy genre. Like a gender-swapped version of a traditional buddy cop story, the series is fun, entertaining, yet also dark and mysterious.

Critics have praised the chemistry between the two leads. Ponies is worth watching; the dynamic between the two women is hilarious because of how different they are from one another. Brought together by tragic circumstance, they grow closer.

Significance for Streaming and the Spy Genre

The series is created by David Iserson (Mr. Robot, New Girl) and Susanna Fogel (The Flight Attendant, The Spy Who Dumped Me), who both are executive producers and writers. Fogel also directs, while Iserson serves as showrunner with Mike Daniels (Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, The Village).

For Peacock subscribers and spy thriller enthusiasts, ‘Ponies’ represents a fresh addition to the streaming landscape. The show’s premise of overlooked women becoming unlikely heroes in the male-dominated world of Cold War espionage offers both entertainment value and thoughtful commentary. With all episodes available for immediate viewing, it provides an accessible entry point for audiences seeking compelling winter viewing in early 2026.