Emilia Clarke is poised to captivate audiences in a lead capacity within the gripping espionage thriller, "Ponies," which has secured a direct-to-series order on Peacock. This high-octane series stems from the collaborative vision of Susanna Fogel ("The Flight Attendant," "The Spy Who Dumped Me") and David Iserson, with Clarke not only starring but also taking on executive producer duties.
The official narrative of "Ponies" paints a vivid backdrop: "Set amidst the intrigue of Moscow, 1977, two unlikely heroes, labeled as 'PONIES'—persons of no interest in intelligence jargon—toil anonymously as humble secretaries within the American Embassy. However, their world is turned upside down when their spouses are abruptly and mysteriously slain in the USSR, transforming them into unwitting CIA operatives. Bea (Clarke), an overqualified, Russian-fluent offspring of Soviet immigrants, teams up with Twila, a gritty small-town girl whose bravery matches her abrasive demeanor. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to unravel a massive Cold War conspiracy and solve the enigmatic murders that shattered their lives, leaving them widowed."
Fogel adds her directorial prowess to the mix, while Iserson takes the helm as showrunner. Jessica Rhoades, under her esteemed Pacesetter Productions banner, joins forces as executive producer, with Alison Mo Massey of Pacesetter co-executive producing alongside Katherine Bridle. Universal Television stands as the production force behind this thrilling tale, promising an immersive and edge-of-your-seat experience.
This marks the second prominent television endeavor that Clarke has secured within recent months, painting a vibrant portrait of her diverse and thriving career. In July, Variety exclusively unveiled the thrilling news that the esteemed "Game of Thrones" alumna would grace the screens once again, this time as the lead in Amazon's highly anticipated series "Criminal." Her iconic portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in the groundbreaking HBO juggernaut, spanning eight exhilarating seasons, has not only etched her name in the annals of television but also garnered her four prestigious Emmy Award nominations.
Her television resume boasts an impressive array of credits, with recent highlights including the Marvel-Disney+ sensation "Secret Invasion," further solidifying her status as a versatile and sought-after talent. Clarke's filmography is equally impressive, featuring standout roles in "Me Before You," "Last Christmas," "The Pod Generation," "Solo: A Star Wars Story," and "Terminator Genisys," showcasing her range and depth as an actress.
In 2022, she graced the storied West End stage, making a triumphant debut in Anya Reiss' adaptation of Anton Chekhov's seminal work, "The Seagull," further expanding her artistic horizons. Represented by an elite team of CAA, Range Media Partners, Hamilton Hodell, Narrative, Hansen, Jacobson, Clarke continues to soar to new heights in her illustrious career.
Fogel and Iserson, too, are backed by prestigious agencies such as UTA, Felker Toczek, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Hansen Jacobson, ensuring that their talents are guided by the best in the industry. "Ponies" emerges as the second pulse-pounding espionage thriller series commissioned by Peacock this year, following in the footsteps of an untitled spy project starring Simu Liu, executive produced by the legendary James Wan. This announcement underscores Peacock's commitment to delivering edge-of-your-seat storytelling that captivates audiences worldwide.
