Haley Lu Richardson and Emilia Clarke Shine in Gorgeous New Cosmopolitan Feature

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Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson recently spoke with Cosmopolitan about their new Peacock series, PONIES. The spy thriller is set in 1977 Budapest and centers on Beatrice “Bea” Grant and Twila Hasbeck, two CIA secretaries who unexpectedly find themselves working in the field after the death of their husbands. Dismissed as unimportant—labeled “Persons of No Interest” or PONIs by their male colleagues—the women leverage this underestimated status to carry out risky missions during the Cold War.

Haley Lu Richardson stuns for Cosmopolitan

📸: Rona Liana Ahdout

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) January 23, 2026

Clarke and Richardson talked about the close connection between their characters, Bea and Twila. Although Bea is intelligent and well-mannered, while Twila is impulsive and unpredictable, they both strongly value their freedom. They highlighted a crucial argument in episode 6, explaining that it allowed Bea to show her anger and gave Twila an opportunity to genuinely apologize. Richardson emphasized that this scene was a turning point for both characters.

The actresses discussed how PONIES offers a fresh take on spy stories by blending espionage with romance in a unique way. Richardson described a scene where her character recognizes her attraction to a Russian woman is genuine. Clarke explained that her character, Bea, unexpectedly gains confidence through her relationship with a KGB agent she’s been assigned to watch.

Haley Lu Richardson and Emilia Clarke stun for Cosmopolitan

📸: Rona Liana Ahdout

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) January 23, 2026

Clarke and Richardson didn’t specialize in the Cold War before starting their show, but they both became captivated by the period’s suspenseful mood. Clarke is also the series’ producer, and Richardson recently released a book of poetry. The actresses also revealed their favorite spy stories – Clarke named Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, while Richardson playfully admitted she loves The Pink Panther.

This series is a compelling mix of suspense and heartfelt character development. It centers on the evolving friendship between Bea and Twila, prioritizing their connection over typical action-packed storylines and high-tech devices. The contrast between Bea’s intelligence and Twila’s practical skills creates a strong foundation for their growth and keeps the story relatable.

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2026-01-23 22:14