emilia clarke is returning to screens in Ponies, the espionage thriller set in Moscow, Russia in 1977, with all episodes arriving in the UK and Ireland on 22 May. The series will stream on Sky and NOW, bringing the Sky Exclusive title to viewers after its earlier US run. The story follows two women whose lives are upended when their husbands are killed under mysterious circumstances.
What Ponies is about
In the series, Bea, played by emilia clarke, is an over-educated, Russian-speaking child of Soviet immigrants. Twila, played by Haley Lu Richardson, is described as a small-town woman who is abrasive and fearless. Working as secretaries in the American Embassy, the pair are known as “PONIES, ” a term used in intelligence circles for “persons of no interest, ” until they become CIA operatives.
From there, the plot moves into a Cold War conspiracy, with Bea and Twila trying to uncover what happened to their husbands while navigating danger inside the USSR. The eight-part drama is set entirely against that tense backdrop, with the women moving from desk jobs to covert work as the story escalates.
emilia clarke leads the cast
The cast also includes Adrian Lester, Artjom Gilz, Nicholas Podany, Petro Ninovskyi and Vic Michaelis. The series has David Iserson as co-creator, co-writer, executive producer and showrunner, while Susanna Fogel serves as co-creator, director, co-writer and executive producer. Emilia Clarke also executive produces the series, alongside Mike Daniels and Jessica Rhoades.
The timing gives viewers a clear date to mark: 22 May in the UK and Ireland, when every episode will be available at once. That release strategy puts emilia clarke back into a headline role at the center of a fast-moving, 1970s-set spy drama built around a mystery, a conspiracy and an unlikely partnership.
Immediate reactions and early reception
Public-facing remarks tied to the series have focused on the lead performances and the character dynamics. Haley Lu Richardson said the role felt important and meaningful to her, adding that reading Twila made the part feel like the right fit at the right time. The series overview also frames the pair’s bond as one formed through grief, danger and a shared search for the truth.
At the time of the latest coverage, Ponies had already drawn strong attention for its tone and pace, with its 96% score noted in the available context. The descriptions attached to the show point to a “fresh” and “propulsive” thriller that keeps the twists coming quickly, while the central pairing has been highlighted for its chemistry.
What comes next
For UK and Ireland viewers, the immediate next step is simple: Ponies arrives on 22 May on Sky and NOW with all episodes available from launch. For emilia clarke, the release adds another major screen lead in a series built around suspense, shifting loyalties and a war-era conspiracy. If the strong early response carries into the UK rollout, Ponies could become one of the most closely watched drama launches of the season.
