Peacock Announces Espionage Thriller ‘PONIES’ with Emilia Clarke in Lead Role

Peacock has officially greenlit a new straight-to-series espionage thriller titled PONIES, featuring Emmy Award-nominated actress Emilia Clarke in the lead role. Clarke, known for her iconic portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones and her starring role in Me Before You, will also serve as an executive producer for the series.

PONIES is set against the backdrop of Moscow in 1977 during the Cold War. The narrative revolves around two women, Bea and Twila, who start off as secretaries at the American Embassy. Their ordinary lives are upended when their husbands are killed under suspicious circumstances in the USSR. This tragedy propels them into the realm of espionage as they become CIA operatives tasked with uncovering a vast conspiracy and solving the mystery surrounding their husbands’ deaths.

Emilia Clarke will portray Bea, an over-educated, Russian-speaking child of Soviet immigrants. Her co-star, Twila, is described as a fearless small-town woman with a brash demeanor. The series promises to delve into the complexities of Cold War politics, with a gripping narrative that combines intense drama with thrilling espionage elements.

Susanna Fogel, an Emmy Award-nominated director known for her work on The Flight Attendant and The Spy Who Dumped Me, co-created the series alongside David Iserson. Fogel will direct and co-write the series, bringing her signature blend of sharp storytelling and character-driven drama. Iserson, whose previous credits include Mr. Robot and New Girl, will serve as showrunner, co-writer, and executive producer. The collaboration between Fogel and Iserson is anticipated to bring a fresh and dynamic perspective to the espionage genre.

In addition to Clarke, Fogel, and Iserson, the executive producer team includes Jessica Rhoades, a PGA Award winner known for her work on Black Mirror, Station Eleven, and Dirty John. Rhoades’ involvement through her Pacesetter Productions, along with co-executive producers Alison Mo Massey and Katherine Bridle, promises a high level of production quality and storytelling excellence.

Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is producing PONIES, ensuring the series benefits from the studio’s extensive resources and expertise in bringing high-quality television to audiences. The series’ format as an espionage thriller suggests a blend of suspense, intrigue, and sophisticated plotting, making it a highly anticipated addition to Peacock’s slate of original content.