Why Emilia Clarke Called Ponies “The Most Emotionally Strange Film I’ve Ever Done”

Emilia Clarke is known for diving deep into complex roles, but her latest project, the espionage thriller Ponies, stands out as “the most emotionally strange film I’ve ever done,” she revealed in recent interviews. The series, set against the tense backdrop of 1977 Moscow, pushed Clarke into emotionally uncharted territory, leaving a profound impact on her.

In Ponies, Clarke plays Bea, the educated and Russian-speaking daughter of Soviet immigrants. Bea’s journey begins in a seemingly ordinary place — secretarial roles at the American embassy — but takes a sharp turn when she and her colleague Twila become CIA operatives. Their transformation is triggered by the mysterious deaths of their husbands, plunging them into a shadowy Cold War conspiracy filled with danger, deception, and high stakes.

The emotional intensity of Bea’s story, combined with the intricate Cold War drama, led Clarke to experience unexpected feelings while filming. The complexity of navigating both personal loss and espionage in such a fraught political climate made this role stand apart from anything she’s done before.

Ponies was co-created by Susanna Fogel and David Iserson and has been ordered straight to series by Peacock. Beyond starring as Bea, Clarke also serves as an executive producer, shaping the show’s unique mix of espionage thrills and emotional depth.

For Clarke, Ponies is more than just another role — it’s a challenging emotional journey through a layered story of resilience, secrets, and survival in a world defined by mistrust and intrigue.