Ponies Season 1

Peacock starts 2026 with a vibrant, "neon-cold" 1970s spy thriller that reminds us the biggest threats in Moscow aren't the fancy suited folks—they’re the ones with the groceries. This is a show you'd definitely want to watch. Here's my recap and review. 

Set in 1977 Moscow, the series title is inspired by the intelligence acronym PONI (Persons of No Interest). It follows Bea Grant (Emilia Clarke), an over-educated Russian speaker, and Twila Hasbeck (Haley Lu Richardson), a fearless small-town American, who are living in the USSR as "embassy wives."

The ladies' lives implode when they are told their CIA operative husbands, Chris and Tom, died in a mysterious plane crash. Suspicious of the official story, the widows refuse to be sent back to the States. Instead, they pitch a radical idea to CIA Station Chief Dane Walter (Adrian Lester): use their status as "insignificant" wives to infiltrate the KGB.

The first half of the season tracks their "leveling up." Bea must shed her demure, rule-following nature to go undercover as "Nadiya," while Twila uses her abrasive wit as a shield while hunting for the truth about her husband’s potential double life.

In a stunning penultimate twist, it’s revealed that the CIA mole isn't a high-ranking officer, but Cheryl (Vic Michaelis), the seemingly judgmental embassy office manager. Fueled by a lack of respect (the "Ego" in the MICE acronym), Cheryl plants an explosive that destroys years of CIA evidence.

The season ends on a massive shocker. Not only is the KGB posing as firemen to infiltrate the embassy, but Bea's grandmother, Manya, and Dane discover that Bea’s husband, Chris, is actually alive and well in Byelorussia, leaving Bea’s entire journey of "self-actualization" on a collision course with a lie.

Ponies isn't just a buddy-spy comedy; it’s a heartfelt drama that uses the Cold War setting to explore themes of underestimation. Perfect for fans of The Americans seeking a touch of The Spy Who Dumped Me's humor. It’s clever, with moments of darkness, all while keeping its huge conspiracy rooted in deeply personal stakes.

This show features Emilia Clarke as Bea, who brings a "pressure-cooker" grace that builds up before exploding into an incredible display of power. Haley Lu Richardson shines as Twila, effortlessly loose and hilariously charming. Together, they make an amazing "jigsaw puzzle' pair that I couldn't get enough of. 

The 1970s aesthetic is truly captivating—with its grainy camera angles and an energetic "banger" soundtrack that really gets you moving. The creative use of split screens and wipes beautifully nods to classic spy films, yet still feels fresh and modern. By turning the so-called "boring" characters, like Cheryl, into the most dangerous ones, the show powerfully highlights its core idea: sometimes, the ones we overlook are the most capable of causing chaos. This keeps viewers excited and guessing at every turn. 

One thing I noticed about this series is the pacing. The early episodes can feel a little bit uneven, switching between slower character moments and exciting spy scenes without a seamless flow. Also, some of the subplots featuring the lower-level CIA staff seemed like extra filler that distracted from the main duo’s storyline. Overall, I give the first season an 8.5/10.

Have you seen Ponies? What did you think of the first season? With the revelation that Chris is alive and Cheryl has torched the evidence, do you think Bea and Twila will have to "defect" just to stay alive in Season 2? Leave a comment.

You can catch Ponies on Peacock.