Haley Lu Richardson felt a spark with ‘Ponies’: ‘Oh, my God, this is me’

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Haley Lu Richardson has had two experiences reading a script where she instantly knew she had to take the role. The first was the 2017 independent film “Columbus,” which helped launch her acting career. The second is her new series, “Ponies,” now available on Peacock, where she stars as a CIA spy in Cold War Russia with Emilia Clarke.

Richardson, 30, says she frequently reads screenplays and often feels discouraged when she gets about ten pages in and realizes the story isn’t grabbing her attention or sparking any inspiration. Speaking from her home in Phoenix in December, she explained that last year was incredibly busy with filming “Ponies” and two other movies, and she’s still adjusting to a quieter, everyday life after being constantly stimulated on set.

She explains that finding a story that truly resonates is unusual, but she felt that connection immediately when she encountered the character of Twila.

The new TV series “Ponies,” created by Susanna Fogel and David Iserson, follows Bea and Twila, two secretaries at the American Embassy in Moscow in 1977. After their husbands – both CIA agents – unexpectedly die, Bea and Twila are recruited to become spies themselves. Though they start with no experience, they bravely take on the challenge and form a surprising friendship along the way. The show is full of action and suspense, but it also focuses on real human emotions and relationships. Actress Richardson was particularly drawn to the show’s complex and well-developed characters.

She feels fortunate to have played diverse characters, though she often ends up portraying the more reserved half of a pair. Personally, she describes herself as outgoing, boisterous, and sometimes a bit much – very expressive and sensitive. Because of this, she’s often had to consciously dial back her natural energy when acting.

Twila is a different story. She’s running from a difficult past in the United States and is a boisterous, sometimes unpredictable character, but she’s incredibly charming. Unlike Bea, Twila didn’t go to college and isn’t as refined, which actually helps her in some situations. The actor worked closely with the costume and makeup teams to create a striking look for Twila – she loves fur, bright colors, and a deliberately messy hairstyle (it’s her real hair, not a wig).

Richardson explains that she often struggles to connect with her characters. However, when she read about Twila, she immediately felt a strong connection, thinking, ‘This character is me.’ This was unusual for her, as she typically spends time figuring out how to make her characters distinct from herself.

I recently spoke with Clarke, and she shared some really insightful thoughts on working with the actress who played Haley. She explained that while the character was already well-defined on the page, the actress naturally brought so much more to the role – filling in the nuances and details. Clarke emphasized how wonderful it was to collaborate with someone so dedicated to truly understanding and championing her character. It was a beautiful performance, and you could really see that dedication shining through.

Review

‘Ponies’ elevates a Cold War spy story with emotional depth and female friendship

In Peacock’s new series, two embassy wives—portrayed by Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson—secretly become spies and take on the KGB, embracing their seemingly ordinary lives as a cover.

Several years ago, while casting her 2024 film “Winner,” Fogel met Richardson. Although Richardson wasn’t ultimately cast in the movie, Fogel remembered her. Fogel was impressed by Richardson’s emotional range and intuition, noting that her talent hadn’t been fully showcased in her previous teen roles. Fogel believed Richardson was prepared to take on a more mature part.

Clarke was involved with the show from the beginning, helping to choose the actors. She recalls a strong feeling of destiny when Haley Richardson’s name came up. Clarke says they immediately stopped considering anyone else. She felt an instant connection with Richardson, describing it as meeting a sister, and believes she’s unlike anyone she’s ever known.

Honestly, you could just feel the connection between everyone on that Zoom call! Richardson said it was the most joyful one she’d ever been on, and she’s hoping the show lasts for fifty seasons just so she can keep working with Emilia day after day. It’s so sweet – you can tell they really enjoy each other’s company!

Haley Lu Richardson describes herself as a very expressive, sometimes loud and even inappropriate person, who is also deeply sensitive. (David Urbanke / For The Times)

In January 2024, actress Richardson relocated to Budapest – which served as the filming location for scenes set in Moscow – and spent half a year there working on “Ponies.” While she had previously lived in Sicily while filming season two of “The White Lotus,” this was a new level of long-term commitment. It required a complete life change and a sustained focus on a single character, which could be demanding at times.

Richardson recalls a grueling shoot with constantly shifting schedules between daytime and nighttime filming. Both she and Emilia Clarke got sick repeatedly – first Richardson, then Clarke, leading to scenes being filmed with only one of them when the other was unwell, and sometimes they were both ill simultaneously. They were working incredibly long days, often lasting eighteen hours straight, and the demanding conditions were relentless.

Even though the role was challenging, Richardson loved playing Twila. She felt completely immersed in the character – a woman known for her bold personality and willingness to jump into situations without worrying about the risks. Whether it was starting a fire to distract the KGB or confidently approaching potentially dangerous contacts, Twila acted first and thought later. This made her very different from the more cautious Bea. But Richardson also understood the insecurity hidden beneath Twila’s bravado, likely because it resonated with her own life experiences. Twila is unapologetically herself, a quality Richardson explored in her recent poetry collection, “I’m Sad and Horny,” even if that meant not everyone would understand her.

Richardson explains that Twila is a character who discovers more about herself, acknowledges her flaws, and develops as a person throughout the show. Richardson sees a lot of similarities between Twila’s journey and her own experiences this year, particularly with writing her poetry book. She realized that being outspoken or different can sometimes lead to criticism and shame, but Twila taught her the importance of feeling comfortable being fully yourself and finding someone who will accept and love you for who you are.

According to Iserson, Richardson skillfully captured the complexities of Twila’s personality, making her ideal for the role. They considered casting someone purely for comedic effect or someone who emphasized Twila’s strength and past trauma, but Haley Richardson brought a remarkable authenticity to the character. Richardson portrayed Twila as a complete, fully realized person, someone she deeply understood and cared for.

Foley explains that Richardson was deeply committed to making every moment on stage feel authentic. She meticulously worked through each scene until it resonated with her, resulting in incredibly powerful performances. While Richardson was a perfectionist, it wasn’t obvious to the audience; her precision felt effortless and natural, creating a seamless and impressive experience.

While Twila and Bea both find new love after losing their husbands – Twila’s connection is a surprising one – the heart of the story is their friendship. The author created the characters to highlight each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They each possess qualities the other lacks, creating a strong bond even when they disagree.

Fogel explains that Bea and Twila complete each other, forming a fully realized person. However, each woman represents only part of the whole. Bea is the logical, thinking side, while Twila is driven by impulse and emotion, often acting without thinking and putting up defenses. Bea needs to find her courage, but Twila’s challenge is learning to trust others and believe she’s worthy of love and acceptance.

Clarke points out that Hollywood frequently focuses on just one female actor in a movie or show. However, “Ponies” uniquely gives both Bea and Twila equal attention, and suggests their bond makes them more powerful together.

What really sets this show apart is its focus on characters. According to Clarke, the story isn’t just about events happening; it’s about how those events affect the people we’re watching. He believes the show’s success hinges on the connection between the characters and what they experience.

Richardson and Clarke became close friends while filming, even off camera. Though the Budapest set didn’t allow much free time, they frequently talked about their roles and upcoming scenes while getting makeup done next to each other. During one holiday weekend, Richardson rented a lakeside Airbnb for the cast, and they all shared psychedelic mushrooms together.

Television

The actor discussed what makes the Marvel Cinematic Universe so appealing to top talent and also reminisced about difficult moments while working on ‘Game of Thrones.’

Richardson remembers having a fantastic night in Budapest, though he admits he doesn’t know how the drugs got there. He insists he wasn’t selling them, only using them.

Clarke also claims she isn’t to blame. She says she doesn’t recall who brought the mushrooms, but someone did, and the result was fantastic, though ultimately disastrous. She simply states, ‘It was so wonderful.’

Following the completion of “Ponies” last summer, Richardson immediately began a busy period of work. She filmed the sci-fi thriller “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die” in South Africa, calling it a thrilling and unique experience. Then, she traveled to Hong Kong to collaborate on an experimental film project with Kogonada, which he later shaped into a movie called “zi” that will debut at Sundance. All while filming, she also finished writing and published her book of poetry.

She never imagined she’d publish a book of poetry, but the process helped her become more understanding and compassionate towards herself. She discovered that sharing her work meant some people would connect with it, while others wouldn’t – and that was perfectly alright. It was a liberating and empowering experience.

Richardson describes her career approach as open-minded but selective. She doesn’t try to plan for a dream role, preferring to recognize it when she encounters the right opportunity. Currently, she doesn’t have any projects in the works, though she’s hopeful that her show, “Ponies,” will be renewed for a second season. The first season ends with a dramatic cliffhanger, featuring Bea and Twila sharing a moment of connection.

You know, I’ve been really enjoying myself lately. Acting’s been great, and I’m loving all the creative projects I’ve been involved with. Honestly, I’m not sure what I’m going to do next, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a blast!

Playing the character of Twila has deeply impacted Richardson, both as an artist and as a person. She describes the experience as transformative, allowing her to explore a new dimension of her acting abilities.

She acknowledges that acting is a form of pretending – saying lines written by others and portraying characters created by writers. It’s all ultimately seen on a screen. However, playing the character of Twila helped her understand that acting can also be a deeply real and emotional experience.

A strong sense of achievement has stayed with her since finishing “Ponies” last summer. She feels she dedicated herself completely to the project.

Richardson described feeling tired but not drained. She explained that working on the show, particularly with Twila, was a mutually beneficial experience – it energized her as much as she put into it. She also shared that every project she takes on pushes her and helps her grow more confident.

She paused, then explained that she’s dedicated to this work – to expressing herself and exploring her creativity – potentially for the rest of her life. She emphasized how deeply personal her process is, a blend of imagination and genuine emotion. She described pouring her true self – her feelings, physicality, and voice – into her creations, citing her character, Twila, as an example.

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2026-01-15 14:04