Co‑created by Susanna Fogel and David Iserson.
Ponies premiered on January 15, 2026.
Distributed exclusively by Peacock.
Ponies TV Series Review
Ponies is a spy drama set in the 1970s during the Cold War.
The story follows two American embassy workers, Bea and Twila, whose lives change after their husbands die under mysterious circumstances.
They are recruited as secret agents because no one sees them as important.
The show mixes suspense, friendship, and emotional moments.
The acting is strong, and the old-school setting feels realistic and stylish.
While the story moves slowly at times, it stays interesting.
Overall, Ponies is a good choice for viewers who enjoy spy stories with strong characters and a serious but emotional tone.
CR Rating – 6/10
Ponies (2026) Actors
Emilia Clarke as Beatrice “Bea” Grant
DOB: October 23, 1986.
Bio: British actor and producer who achieved global recognition as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones.
Following the series, she has deliberately balanced large studio films with smaller, character-driven projects, while also expanding into producing.
Role: Beatrice “Bea” Grant is a widowed American embassy spouse stationed in Moscow during the Cold War era.
After her husband’s suspicious death, Bea rejects the official explanation and is quietly recruited into the intelligence world as a PONI (Person Of No Interest).
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Clarke is credited as an executive producer; press pieces note she was attracted to the show’s blend of ‘70s style and female-led espionage.
Notable works: Game of Thrones, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Terminator Genisys, Me Before You.
Haley Lu Richardson as Twila Hasbeck
DOB: March 7, 1995.
Bio: American actor who gained critical attention through independent films, most notably Columbus (2017), where her understated, emotionally precise performance marked her as a major emerging talent.
She has since balanced indie credibility with mainstream visibility, appearing in studio films and prestige television.
Role: Twila Hasbeck is Bea Grant’s closest friend and fellow American embassy wife, bound to her through shared isolation, grief, and growing suspicion.
Where Bea approaches espionage with restraint and calculation, Twila’s instincts are more impulsive and emotionally driven, often reacting before fully assessing the danger.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Richardson was announced as Clarke’s co-lead in late 2024; interviews emphasize the duo’s chemistry and how the show balances danger with sisterhood.
Notable works: Columbus, Five Feet Apart, Split, Support the Girls, The White Lotus.
Adrian Lester as Dane Walter
DOB: August 14, 1968.
Bio: British actor with an extensive career spanning theatre, television, and film.
He is an Olivier Award winner and has been widely praised for performances that combine intellectual sharpness with emotional restraint.
Role: Dane Walter is a senior CIA official whose composed exterior masks institutional pressure, ethical compromise, and carefully guarded secrets.
Acting as a key intermediary between Washington and the embassy operation, he becomes both a handler and a moral obstacle for Bea and Twila.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Lester’s casting bolsters the show’s commitment to actors with strong theatrical chops; reviewers noted how his presence lends credibility to the Washington side of the plot.
Notable works: Hustle, Undercover, Primary Colors, extensive West End and Royal Shakespeare Company stage work.
Artjom Gilz as Andrei Vasiliev
DOB: 1987.
Bio: German-born actor of Baltic and Eastern European heritage who has built an international career across European and Hollywood productions.
He is known for physically grounded performances and for portraying complex figures shaped by political systems and moral pressure.
Role: Andrei Vasiliev is a KGB officer whose proximity to the embassy circle places him at the intersection of surveillance, manipulation, and personal temptation.
Neither a simple antagonist nor a clear ally, Andrei operates within the moral grey zones of Cold War intelligence.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Gilz’s Eastern European background and language skills helped the production ground many of the Moscow sequences.
Notable works: Without Remorse, 100 Things, European feature films and television projects.
Vic Michaelis as Cheryl
DOB: N/A.
Bio: North American actor, writer, and improvisational comedian best known for their work in long-form improv and character comedy.
They gained wider recognition through ensemble and improvisational projects before moving into scripted television, where their timing and character specificity translate effectively to grounded supporting roles.
Role: Cheryl is a member of the local embassy staff whose day-to-day presence offers insight into the social undercurrents of embassy life.
While not directly involved in espionage, Cheryl’s observations, casual gossip, and practical concerns often illuminate tensions beneath the surface.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Michaelis is a prominent performer on Dropout (formerly CollegeHumor), where their improv background has earned a dedicated following.
Notable works: Improv and streaming comedy appearances; small TV roles.
Nicholas Podany as Ray
DOB: October 28, 1996.
Bio: Nicholas Podany is a Juilliard-trained actor with experience in theatre, film, and television.
He has gained recognition for layered supporting work, combining technical precision with a subtle, nuanced screen presence.
Role: Ray is a junior embassy staffer who becomes caught between loyalty and survival.
His choices illustrate how lower-level players are enlisted, silenced, or endangered by larger intelligence operations.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Podany’s Juilliard theatre training is evident in his careful handling of emotionally complex moments, giving his character depth and credibility.
Notable works: Various stage credits and supporting TV/film roles.
Petro Ninovskyi as Sasha Shevchenko
DOB: July 8, 1998.
Bio: Ukrainian actor who has gained recognition for both regional and international projects.
Known for bringing grounded, naturalistic performances, he often portrays characters whose youth and perspective lend authenticity to culturally specific storylines.
Role: Sasha Shevchenko is a young local figure operating within the Russian-Soviet milieu.
His loyalties are complicated by family obligations, survival instincts, and the moral ambiguities of espionage-adjacent life.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Casting local/regional actors like Ninovskyi helped the production achieve authentic accents and cultural nuance.
Notable works: Regional film/TV credits; rising international profile.
Andrew Richardson as Shep
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Canadian actor with both stage and screen experience.
He has built a reputation for nuanced supporting performances that bring depth and realism to ensemble casts.
Role: Shep is part of the American circle in Moscow, a friend, drinker, and occasional informal informant whose casual remarks often move plot threads forward.
His loyalties are ambiguous, adding tension to interactions within the embassy’s social environment.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Richardson’s credits include stage work and small TV roles; press lists him among the series’ ensemble players.
Notable works: Stage and guest TV spots.
Harriet Walter as Manya Caplan
DOB: September 24, 1950.
Bio: A veteran British stage and screen actress with a distinguished career spanning Shakespearean theatre, West End productions, and major television and film roles.
She is known for bringing gravitas, emotional nuance, and complexity to elder characters.
Role: Manya Caplan is a matronly figure in the émigré community, whose history and social connections conceal access to long-buried secrets.
Walter imbues Manya with a mix of sympathy, wisdom, and subtle menace, suggesting a character who has witnessed the cruelties and intrigues of the world.
Episodes: 4 eps.
Interesting facts: Walter’s extensive stage and screen experience allows her to elevate limited screen time into standout, memorable performances.
Notable works: Succession (guest), major stage work, film/TV credits across decades.
Louis Boyer as Chris Grant
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Louis Boyer is a character actor and producer whose work spans supporting roles across film and television.
He is known for bringing reliability, depth, and understated nuance to smaller but meaningful parts.
Role: Chris Grant is a family member connected to Bea, providing insight into how the high-stakes geopolitical and espionage events ripple into private and domestic life.
Boyer portrays Chris with grounded sensitivity, highlighting the personal cost behind the show’s central intrigue.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Boyer was listed among the recurring players added during production in winter 2024–25.
Notable works: Stage and TV supporting roles.
John Macmillan as Tom Hasbeck
DOB: N/A.
Bio: British actor with extensive stage and television experience.
He is known for bringing classical training to screen roles, often portraying authoritative, composed, or charming characters with nuance and subtlety.
Role: Tom Hasbeck is Twila’s husband (or closely connected family member, depending on episode context).
He embodies the private stakes behind the embassy’s public life.
Episodes: 5 eps.
Interesting facts: Macmillan’s background in British theatre gives him the ability to turn small scenes into quietly memorable ones.
Notable works: British TV and stage credits.
Lili Walters as Ivanna
DOB: June 21, 1991.
Bio: Lili Walters is an emerging actor with credits in international television projects.
She brings grounded presence and authenticity to supporting roles, helping populate the world of complex political and social intrigue.
Role: Ivanna is part of the local Moscow social and political network who crosses paths with Bea and Twila.
Her loyalties and survival strategies underscore the series’ theme that ordinary people are often swept into the consequences of espionage.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Walters was cast as part of the production’s effort to create a believable and diverse Moscow tableau, adding texture and realism to the series’ ensemble.
Notable works: Regional film and TV credits; emerging international profile.
More Actors
• Paul Chahidi as Alan Salek.
• Maxim Gall as Trent.
• Tanya Ivanova as Vera Riggs.
• Pál Mácsai as Emile.
FAQ – Ponies (2026) TV Series
What is Ponies about?
Ponies is a Cold War spy drama set in 1977 Moscow about two American embassy secretaries who become CIA operatives after their husbands’ mysterious deaths, uncovering a vast conspiracy.
Is Ponies based on a true story?
No. The series is fictional, though it draws on real Cold War context and intelligence concepts like “PONI” (persons of no interest). More on Town & Country
How many episodes are in Ponies Season 1?
Season 1 consists of eight one‑hour episodes that were all released together on January 15.
Where was Ponies produced/filmed?
The series was filmed with detailed period production design to evoke 1970s Moscow, including locations like Budapest doubling for the Soviet capital.
Where can I watch Ponies?
Ponies streams exclusively on Peacock, with all eight Season 1 episodes available.
Conclusion
Ponies is a compelling and stylish Cold War spy drama that blends suspense, friendship, and emotional depth.
The series shines through its strong performances, especially from Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, and its authentic 1970s setting.
While some parts of the story move slowly, the tension, character development, and clever twists keep viewers engaged.
With its mix of intrigue, heart, and period charm, Ponies is a smart and entertaining watch for fans of spy dramas and character-driven stories alike.