Peacock has cancelled the spy thriller Ponies after just one season, leaving fans furious despite the show's critical acclaim. The series, which premiered in January 2026, follows two secretaries who become CIA operatives in the 1970s after their spy husbands die under mysterious circumstances. It boasted a star-studded cast including Game of Thrones legend Emilia Clarke, The White Lotus star Haley Lu Richardson, and veteran actress Harriet Walter.
Critical Acclaim Not Enough to Save Show
The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported a 96% approval rating following its release, with critics and audiences praising the series. One fan on Rotten Tomatoes called it "excellent," adding: "Excellent script, plot, cast, direction, and setting. One of the best series of the year, in my opinion. I hope there's a second season." Another viewer shared: "This show is incredible. I just looked and see it's not renewed yet, but it better be. It's honestly the best show I've seen in a long time, just give Haley Lu Richardson the Emmy now."
Despite the high praise, the series never featured on Nielsen's Top 10 streaming charts, indicating a lack of strong viewership. The cancellation comes five months after its debut, with the ending of Season 1 leaving several key cliffhangers unresolved.
Fan Outrage on Social Media
Fans took to X to express their frustration after hearing the news. One user wrote: "Wtf noooooooooo! Because I looked it up all the time, I read a Tweet at some point, that they already talked about Season 2, so this was probably just a rumour and I was already too happy. #Ponies was so great! I loved them so much! I hate all these cancellations with passion."
Another fumed: "#Peacock is a joke, it's like the rest of the streaming apps now, all the good shows cancelled. Maybe put more ads out there, I never heard of #PONIES until I scrolled thru then they cancel the 1 great show they have on now, they cancel the best, use ads."
A third fan added: "Well that really sucks. Totally enjoyed it and such a cool if obvious cliffhanger." A fourth commented: "They actually had a good show on their hand and fumbled." Threatening to boycott the network altogether, one user fumed: "Never watching @peacock ever again."
Star-Studded Cast and Setting
Ponies was set in the 1970s and followed the story of two secretaries who become CIA operatives after their husbands, also spies, die under mysterious circumstances. The cast included Emilia Clarke, best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, Haley Lu Richardson from The White Lotus, and Harriet Walter, a veteran actress with numerous credits.
The show was well-received by critics and viewers at home, but it never achieved the viewership numbers needed to secure a second season. Peacock has not commented on the cancellation beyond the decision to axe the series.
