Peacock sets premiere date for spy series Ponies starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, unveiling an espionage thriller that follows two unlikely CIA operatives pulled into a Cold War conspiracy after their husbands are mysteriously killed.
Peacock is gearing up for a gripping new espionage drama with the announcement that Ponies, starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, will officially premiere on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The streamer also released new teaser images giving audiences their first look at the high-stakes thriller.
Set in Moscow in 1977, Ponies centers on two women labeled as “PONIES” — short for “persons of no interest” in intelligence jargon — who quietly work as secretaries in the American Embassy. Their lives take a sudden, devastating turn when both of their husbands are killed under mysterious circumstances in the USSR. That tragedy propels them into the world of espionage, transforming them from overlooked office staff into CIA operatives determined to uncover the truth.
Clarke stars as Bea, an over-educated, Russian-speaking daughter of Soviet immigrants whose sharp intellect becomes vital to their mission. Richardson plays Twila, a small-town woman whose bold, abrasive nature makes her as dangerous as she is courageous. Together, they push into the heart of a sprawling Cold War conspiracy — and race to solve the mystery that made them widows.
The series boasts a powerhouse creative team behind the camera. Ponies is co-created, co-written, and executive produced by David Iserson (Mr. Robot, New Girl), who also serves as co-showrunner. Susanna Fogel (The Flight Attendant, The Spy Who Dumped Me) co-creates, directs, co-writes, and executive produces. Mike Daniels (Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, The Village) joins as executive producer and showrunner, while Jessica Rhoades (Black Mirror, Station Eleven, Dirty John) also executive produces.
In addition to starring, Emilia Clarke serves as an executive producer. The series’ ensemble cast includes Haley Lu Richardson, Adrian Lester, Artjom Gilz, Nicholas Podany, Petro Ninovskyi, and Vic Michaelis. Co-executive producers include Katherine Bridle, Alison Mo Massey, Jared Ian Goldman, and Rosa Handelman.
Produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, Ponies is an eight-episode espionage thriller, with each installment running 60 minutes.
With Cold War intrigue, a dynamic leading duo, and a stacked creative roster, Ponies is shaping up to be one of Peacock’s most anticipated premieres of 2026.
