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

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Though its title and spy theme might suggest similarities to Apple TV+’s “Slow Horses,” Peacock’s new thriller “Ponies” is quite different. Set during the Cold War in Moscow, the show blends the tense atmosphere of FX’s “The Americans” with the playful energy of the comedy film “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” creating a unique and sometimes unpredictable viewing experience.

This makes sense considering Susanna Fogel and David Iserson—the team behind the movie “The Spy Who Dumped Me” (which Fogel directed and Iserson executive produced)—also created this.

The series begins with a daring rescue mission: pulling a CIA operative out of KGB custody. Set in the American Embassy in Moscow around 1977, it vividly recreates the era with a period-appropriate soundtrack and quick shots of figures like a young George H.W. Bush and, later, Elton John.

While American agents are caught up in a typical car chase, two wives cross paths at a market. Both women are unhappy with their dull lives as the spouses of diplomats (who are actually spies introduced earlier), and the movie quickly highlights their different personalities and the amusing, if somewhat forced, connection between them.

Bea (Emilia Clarke) is a polite, rule-abiding woman who speaks Russian. She trusts her husband, Chris (Louis Boyer), when he tells her their current assignment won’t last long and she’ll eventually be able to use her college degree from Wellesley in a more fulfilling way. (And to the writer of the show’s notes: having a degree from Wellesley doesn’t mean someone is ‘over-educated.’)

Haley Lu Richardson absolutely shines as Twila, a no-nonsense, street-smart woman who isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She really pushes Bea to confront a shady Russian egg dealer – and let me tell you, the dialogue is colorful. It’s no shock, then, that her relationship with her husband, Tom (John Macmillan), is seriously strained. Their marriage is definitely on the rocks, and it’s a compelling part of the story.

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Haley Lu Richardson felt an instant bond with her character, Twila, in the new Peacock series “Ponies.” The show, which also stars Emilia Clarke, is set in Moscow in 1977.

When Bea and Twila’s husbands seemingly die in a plane crash, they are devastated. They’ve lost not only their spouses, but also their identities and purpose as wives in the foreign service.

When Bea returns to the U.S., she’s encouraged by her resilient grandmother, a Holocaust survivor originally from Russia (played by the wonderful Harriet Walter). Meanwhile, Twila understands she made the right decision leaving her difficult upbringing in Indiana.

Driven to uncover the truth about their husbands’ disappearances, the women return to Moscow and challenge station chief Dane Walter (Adrian Lester). They persuade him that being seen as ordinary wives – essentially people no one would suspect – gives them the ideal disguise for an investigation.

Despite a history of both countries using female spies, Dane comes up with a plan – and convinces the outgoing CIA head, Bush (played by Patrick Fabian) – based on the idea that Russia wouldn’t see two women, especially one who speaks Russian, as a real threat. This sets the story in motion by the end of the first episode.

I’m really invested in this storyline! Bea and Twila are back as assistants, and Bea’s got a specific goal: get close to this new guy, Ray. Twila, well, she’s supposed to just be an assistant, but knowing her, she’s already planning to do more. She’s teamed up with Ivanna, who’s as strong and resourceful as she is, to really shake things up. It’s going to be exciting to see what they do!

Things become much more difficult and risky when Bea attracts the attention of Andrei (Artjom Gilz), a dangerous KGB leader. He might be the key to finding the secret surveillance facility that Chris and Tom were searching for before their deaths.

Emilia Clarke is back on television with her most significant role since becoming famous as Daenerys Targaryen in “Game of Thrones,” and she’s definitely the star. Initially, she carries the show, convincingly portraying a woman who has lost some of her self-assurance and understanding after taking a step back from her career to focus on being a wife, though the show’s overall tone keeps things from getting too heavy.

Sabrina Richardson, known to many as Portia from Season 2 of “The White Lotus,” plays a very different role here. Her character, Twila, is a tough, outspoken woman – the kind with a hidden vulnerability. While it seems logical to cast her as a spy, Twila is told her strength lies in being fearless. But ultimately, her true gift is championing overlooked and marginalized women, particularly sex workers who have been harmed and ignored.

Because Bea and Twila haven’t had any real spy training – not even the kind you usually see in movies or books – they have to depend on their intelligence and the way their personalities complement each other, balancing sweetness with strength.

The playful back-and-forth and awkward situations are fun, but they create an inconsistent tone – it’s unclear whether we’re supposed to see these characters as competent spies. This also asks viewers to overlook some unrealistic elements, like the surprisingly mild weather in a supposedly freezing Moscow (which was actually filmed in Budapest). Luckily, the experienced spies on both sides aren’t portrayed as particularly skilled, at least not at first, which helps with believability.

A new storyline about sex tapes and blackmail creates a lot of suspense, while also staying true to the historical setting. As the story unfolds, the spies become more skilled, and the idea of being watched becomes more complex and intriguing.

“Ponies” isn’t really about the technical details of spycraft – gadgets, secret codes, or drop-off locations. It’s far more interested in why people got involved and the difficult ethical questions raised by the Cold War. As one character puts it, “You came to Moscow looking for the truth?” with a hint of cynicism.

The acting is consistently excellent, with believable and captivating performances – a highlight being Walter’s return as the Russian grandmother. While it takes the first half of the eight-episode series for everything to come together, creator Alan Yang (also a co-writer of “Booksmart”) brilliantly portrays female friendship. Clarke and Richardson deliver such authentic performances as Bea and Twila that you’ll immediately connect with them.

Despite a slightly confusing start, the strong connection between the characters and the sheer ridiculousness of their circumstances quickly turn this into a gripping spy story. It’s full of unexpected twists, and the attention to detail in recreating the period is fantastic – it feels like something you’d see on “Mad Men.” (And yes, that reference might show my age – I remember a certain shampoo!)

Even as the show gets more complex and spy-focused, it’s still fundamentally a love story. Like all good spies understand, genuine connection requires honesty and self-acceptance. The season ends on a suspenseful note, suggesting Bea and Twila will return – perhaps even to Moscow – to continue their journeys of self-discovery.

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2026-01-15 14:03