Looking for your next binge-worthy drama to get stuck into this bank holiday? Sky might have just the ticket.

Viewers are already raving about the new espionage thriller Ponies, with some calling it “extraordinary” and an absolute “must-watch.”

Set in 1977 Moscow, the eight-part series follows Bea and Twila – two “PONIES” (Persons of No Interest) – who are thrust from their desk jobs at the American Embassy into the high-stakes world of CIA espionage after their husbands are killed.

If the gripping plot doesn’t hook you, the talent will. The series stars Game of Thrones icon Emilia Clarke alongside The White Lotus breakout star Haley Lu Richardson. Behind the camera, the creative team is just as impressive: it’s co-created by David Iserson (Mr. Robot, Mad Men) alongside Susanna Fogel (Booksmart).

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Intrigued? Here is everything you need to know…

What is Ponies about?

Set in 1977 Moscow, the thriller follows Bea and Twila, who find themselves widowed when their husbands are killed under mysterious circumstances.

Haley Lu Richardson as Twila, Emilia Clarke as Bea on Peacock's PONIES season one© Getty Images
Haley Lu Richardson as Twila, Emilia Clarke as Bea in Ponies

The synopsis continues: “Determined to know what happened, these two “PONIES” – Persons of No Interest in the world of intelligence – trade in their desk jobs at the American Embassy to become CIA operatives.

“They’re perfect for the job as, after all, who would expect a pair of women to be spies in the 1970s USSR? Banding together against fierce odds, Bea and Twila fight side-by-side to get answers.

Emilia Clarke as Bea, Haley Lu Richardson as Twila in Ponies© Katalin Vermes/PEACOCK
The series follows Bea and Twila as they become CIA agents after their husbands are killed

“Soon, they find themselves embroiled in a massive conspiracy within the USSR and come face-to-face with members of the KGB, but are determined to solve the mystery about what happened to their husbands as the Cold War rumbles on.”

Who stars in Ponies?

Emilia Clarke stars as Beatrice ‘Bea’ Grant, alongside Haley Lu Richardson as Twila Hasbeck.

Adrian Lester as Dane in Ponies© Katalin Vermes/PEACOCK
Adrian Lester plays Dane

They’re joined by Adrian Lester (Sandman, Day After Tomorrow) as Dane Walter, Artjom Gilz (Tar, Das Boot) as Andrei Vasiliev, Nicholas Podany (Saturday Night, Hello Tomorrow) as Ray Szymanski, Petro Ninovskyi (Shttl, Silence) as Sasha Shevchenko, Vic Michaelis (Very Important People, Upload) as Cheryl Szymanski and Harriet Walter (Succession, Killing Eve) as Manya Caplan.

What have viewers and critics said about Ponies?

The series has been hailed by viewers as a “must-watch”.

Taking to social media, one person hailed the series as “excellent,” while another penned: “#PONIES was extraordinary. The suspense and humour were equal parts.”

Emilia Clarke as Bea, Haley Lu Richardson as Twila in Ponies© Katalin Vermes/PEACOCK
The series is available to watch on Sky and NOW

A third viewer called for a second season, writing: “A must watch!! #PONIES #skyatlantic @skytv. 70’s Fashion. Banging soundtrack. Breath stopping. Moments. Comedic elements. Got everything crossed for a second series,” while another added: “I binge watched Ponies with zero expectations and now I want the second season right this second.”

Meanwhile, the show received positive reviews from critics, with The Guardian describing the drama as a “unique watch, with cracking chemistry and a lot of laughs” in its four-star review, while RadioTimes.com also handed out four stars, hailing the series as “terrific”.