In a post-<em>Game of Thrones</em> world, many wondered what Emilia Clarke would do next. Tragically, her next worthy performance wasn’t given the time of day. One of the most underrated shows of 2026 was the Peacock series Ponies. A decided pivot from fantasy, her new role is high tension, just in a different way. The critically acclaimed spy series follows two women, whom the series refers to as Persons of No Interest.
Clarke plays Bea, the wife of an American spy stationed in Russia during the Cold War. After his death, Bea and another CIA widow, Twila (Haley Lu Richardson), take it upon themselves to find out the reason their husbands died. They are valued by the CIA because the KGB shows no interest in wives at the embassy. Earning a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes for its suspenseful storytelling, Ponies should have earned its place on the streaming network. Instead, the spy thriller was cut down in its prime. This had nothing to do with the quality of the series, but Peacock cancelled the series after only one season, regardless.
Peacock Never Bet On Ponies
The world of streaming is extremely competitive, which is why the burning of Ponies is such a tragic misstep. Peacock had lightning in a bottle with this female-centric spy series that had all the hallmarks of the genre while introducing humor and a fresh perspective. The only thing the series failed at was the correct branding, as it had virtually everything else going for it.
ASomeone who already has three contingency plans running and is calmly working through all of them.
BSomeone who reads the terrain instinctively and knows exactly how to use it against the enemy.
CSomeone who keeps their nerve and their sense of humour when everything is falling apart.
DSomeone who knows the history of wherever we are and what we’re walking into.
ESomeone with the right contact, the right cover identity, and the right exit already arranged.
NEXT QUESTION →
02
You have to get somewhere dangerous, fast. How do you travel?
How you get there is half the mission.
A On foot through terrain no one else would attempt — I move where vehicles can’t follow.
B On a motorcycle, a cargo plane, or anything else that gets me there before I think too hard about it.
C In something that belongs to someone else — borrowed, stolen, or improvised under fire.
D First-class, with a cover identity and a gadget that does something I won’t explain until it’s needed.
E By whatever means are available — I’ve driven, flown, and once arrived by camel. The destination matters, not the method.
NEXT QUESTION →
03
You’re pinned down and outnumbered. What does your ideal partner do?
This is when you find out what someone is really made of.
A Disappears into the environment, flanks them silently, and ends it before I’ve reloaded.
B Cracks a one-liner, grabs a fire extinguisher or a chair, and improvises something that somehow works.
C Produces a gadget specifically designed for this exact scenario and uses it with infuriating precision.
D Pulls out a whip, a pistol, and an archaeological insight that somehow gets us out alive.
E Neutralises the threat with maximum efficiency and minimum words — they were already three moves ahead.
NEXT QUESTION →
04
The mission is paused. You have one evening to decompress. What does your partner suggest?
Who someone is when the pressure drops is who they actually are.
A A bar with terrible lighting, cold beer, and absolutely no questions about feelings.
B The finest restaurant in the city, a bottle of something expensive, and a conversation that is equal parts brilliant and exhausting.
C A local dig site, a museum after hours, or a long story about why that particular artefact matters to human civilisation.
D Pizza. Bad TV. Falling asleep halfway through a movie neither of you were watching anyway.
E A debrief that turns into three hours of contingency planning that somehow becomes the most fun you’ve had all week.
NEXT QUESTION →
05
How do you prefer your partner to communicate mid-mission?
Good communication is the difference between partners and a liability.
’06’
‘Your enemy is powerful well-resourced and has upper hand How should your partner approach them?’
‘The approach to enemy defines partnership.’
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