Emilia Clarke's new spy thriller series Ponies has been hailed as her best role since Game of Thrones, with critics praising its unique blend of genres and cracking chemistry between the leads. The show, set in 1970s Moscow, follows two widows who persuade the CIA to recruit them as spies, operating under the radar as 'Persons of No Interest' or 'ponies'.
Clarke plays Bea, a Wellesley-educated daughter of Belarusian emigrants who speaks fluent Russian, while Haley Lu Richardson portrays Twila, a brash, blue-collar American. Their odd-couple dynamic and strong on-screen chemistry have been singled out as the show's standout feature, elevating the series beyond its absurd premise.
Created by Susanna Fogel and David Iserson, Ponies is described as a mash-up of espionage drama, buddy caper, and retro movie, filmed with 70s-style techniques like wipes and split screens. Despite its genre-bending nature, the show is noted for its modern feminist sensibility and comedic tone, offering a lighter alternative to traditional spy thrillers like The Americans.
The series also features Adrian Lester as the CIA boss Dane and Paul Chahidi as cultural attache Alan. While the plot involves the widows investigating their husbands' deaths, critics emphasize that the real pleasure lies in the deepening friendship between the two women. Ponies is available now, with eight episodes for viewers to enjoy.
