The Cold War spy thriller Ponies, starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, has finally arrived on streaming platforms. The series dropped all eight episodes in January 2026, and viewers around the world are now discovering this fresh take on the espionage genre. If you are looking for where to watch the show, streaming details vary depending on your location. Here is everything you need to know about watching Ponies right now.
What Is Ponies About?
Before getting into the streaming details, it helps to understand what makes this show different from other spy thrillers. Ponies is set in Moscow in 1977, during the height of the Cold War. The title comes from the intelligence term PONIES, which stands for “Persons of No Interest” . These are people so ordinary and overlooked that they would never be suspected of spy activity.
Emilia Clarke plays Bea, an over-educated woman who speaks fluent Russian and works as a secretary at the American Embassy. Haley Lu Richardson plays Twila, a fearless small-town girl who also works at the embassy. Both women are married to CIA agents. When their husbands die under mysterious circumstances, the two widows find themselves recruited by the CIA to investigate what really happened .
What follows is a story that mixes suspense, action, and unexpected humor as two underestimated women navigate the dangerous world of KGB surveillance and international conspiracies. The show has earned strong reviews, with a 96 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 28 critic reviews . Critics praise the chemistry between Clarke and Richardson, as well as the show’s ability to balance tense moments with genuine warmth and humor.
Where to Watch Ponies in the United States
For viewers in the United States, Ponies is available exclusively on Peacock. The series premiered on January 15, 2026, with all eight episodes dropping at once . This means you can binge the entire first season right now without waiting for weekly releases.
To watch the show, you need an active Peacock subscription. The platform offers several pricing tiers:
- Peacock Premium (with ads) gives you access to the full series
- Peacock Premium Plus (without ads) offers the same content ad-free
The show is a Peacock original, so it will remain on the platform for the foreseeable future. If you have been following Emilia Clarke’s career since her Game of Thrones days, this series gives you a chance to see her in a completely different kind of role .
Streaming Details for Viewers in India
Indian audiences can watch Ponies on JioHotstar, which now hosts the Peacock hub. The series became available on January 16, 2026, just one day after the US premiere . All eight episodes are streaming now.
JioHotstar requires an active subscription. The platform offers various plans, and the Peacock content is included in the standard subscription packages. If you are already a JioHotstar user, you can start watching immediately without any additional payment.
The show has generated significant buzz in India, where Emilia Clarke enjoys a massive fan following from her Game of Thrones years. The Cold War setting, combined with strong female leads, has struck a chord with audiences looking for smart, character-driven thrillers.
How to Watch Ponies in the United Kingdom
Viewers in the United Kingdom have a different streaming option. Ponies is available on HBO Max, which operates in the UK through existing partnerships . The show arrived on the platform shortly after its US debut.
The series has been well-received by British critics, who have noted the strong performances and the show’s ability to bring something new to the well-worn spy genre. The 1970s Moscow setting, recreated with careful attention to period detail, adds visual richness to the storytelling.
If you are in the UK, you can also access the show through Sky packages that include HBO Max content. Check your current subscription to see if you already have access before signing up for a new service.
Where to Watch Ponies in Europe
For viewers across Europe, the streaming situation varies by country. In many European nations, Ponies is available on SkyShowtime. The platform began releasing the series on January 30, 2026, with the first two episodes available immediately .
Unlike the binge release model used in the US and India, SkyShowtime is releasing Ponies on a weekly schedule. New episodes drop every Friday. This means European viewers are currently watching the season unfold week by week, which creates a different viewing experience compared to audiences who can binge the entire story at once.
The weekly release format has sparked ongoing discussions online, with fans sharing theories about what will happen next. This gives European viewers the chance to participate in the communal excitement that comes with appointment television.
What About Other Regions?
Streaming rights for Ponies continue to roll out across different territories. The show is produced by Universal Television, which has distribution deals with various platforms worldwide . If you live outside the regions mentioned above, check your local streaming services to see if they have added the Peacock or Universal content hub.
The series has gained enough popularity that additional streaming deals may be announced in the coming months. Keep an eye on official social media accounts for Ponies or Emilia Clarke for announcements about new streaming availability in your region.
What Critics and Audiences Are Saying
Now that the show has been available for several weeks, the reception is clear. Ponies holds a 7 out of 10 rating on IMDb based on audience votes . Critics have been even more enthusiastic, with the 96 percent Rotten Tomatoes score indicating widespread approval from professional reviewers.
The Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao published a detailed review calling the show a fresh take on the spy genre. The review praised how the series balances serious drama with comedy, noting that the humorous moments make the tense scenes even more effective. The chemistry between Clarke and Richardson was highlighted as the show’s biggest strength, with their characters developing a genuine friendship that feels real and earned .
The review also mentioned that the seventh episode ends with a major cliffhanger, leading to speculation about a possible second season. While no official announcement has been made, the ending clearly leaves room for the story to continue.
Cast and Characters You Need to Know
Emilia Clarke leads the cast as Bea, a woman whose education and language skills make her valuable to the CIA, even though she has no formal training. Clarke brings the intelligence and warmth that made her famous in Game of Thrones, but Bea is a very different character from Daenerys Targaryen. She is grounded, practical, and struggling with grief while trying to survive in a dangerous world.
Haley Lu Richardson plays Twila, the more impulsive and street-smart half of the duo. Richardson, known for The White Lotus and The Split, brings energy and unpredictability to every scene. Her character provides many of the show’s most thrilling moments, as she thinks on her feet and takes risks that Bea would never consider.
The supporting cast includes Adrian Lester as Dane, the CIA station chief who recruits the women. Artjom Gilz plays Andrei, a KGB officer who becomes a major obstacle. Nicholas Podany, Petro Ninovskyi, and Vic Michaelis round out the cast in important supporting roles .
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Why the Show Resonates with Audiences
What makes Ponies stand out is its focus on characters who are usually invisible in spy stories. The term “persons of no interest” refers to people so ordinary that intelligence agencies would never suspect them. Bea and Twila use this invisibility to their advantage, moving through Moscow while KGB agents overlook them completely.
The show also explores friendship between women in a genre that often isolates its characters. Bea and Twila come from completely different backgrounds, but they find common ground in their grief and their determination to uncover the truth. Their conversations feel real, whether they are sharing personal stories or arguing about the best way to handle a dangerous situation.
For viewers who grew tired of spy stories featuring lone men with troubled pasts, Ponies offers something refreshing. The show proves that espionage thrillers can be just as exciting when the heroes are two women supporting each other through impossible circumstances.
Start Watching Today
Ponies is available now across multiple platforms worldwide. Whether you prefer to binge all eight episodes at once or savor them week by week, the series is ready for you to discover. Check your local streaming service, grab your remote, and prepare for a Cold War thriller that puts women at the center of the action for a change.
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