Haley Lu Richardson and Emilia Clarke Turn Heads in Stunning Cosmopolitan Shoot
In a revealing new interview with Cosmopolitan, Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson discussed their leading roles in the Peacock spy thriller PONIES. Set in 1977 Budapest, the series follows two CIA secretaries, Beatrice “Bea” Grant and Twila Hasbeck, who transition into field work after their husbands are killed. Labeled “Persons of No Interest” (PONIs) by their male counterparts, the two women use their perceived anonymity to navigate the dangerous landscape of the Cold War.
The actresses highlighted the deep bond that formed between their characters, noting that while they are surface-level opposites—Clarke’s Bea is “book smart” and refined, while Richardson’s Twila is a “street smart” loose cannon—they share a mutual craving for independence. They reflected on a pivotal episode 6 argument that challenged their friendship, explaining that the conflict allowed Bea to finally express anger and Twila to learn how to apologize sincerely for the first time.
Haley Lu Richardson stuns for Cosmopolitan
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Richardson and Clarke also touched on the show’s unique take on espionage and sexuality. Unlike the typical “James Bond” archetype, the characters in PONIES find themselves navigating unexpected romantic attachments that complicate their missions. Richardson shared a candid moment from filming where her character realized her attraction to a Russian woman was “very real,” while Clarke noted that Bea finds a surprising sense of empowerment through her interactions with a KGB mark.
Haley Lu Richardson and Emilia Clarke stun for Cosmopolitan
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) January 23, 2026
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Both stars admitted they were not experts on Cold War history before joining the project but found the era’s “trust no one” energy to be a fascinating backdrop for a story about female solidarity.
Beyond the show, the actresses have been busy with other major career moves; Clarke is making waves as a producer on PONIES, while Richardson recently released a book of poetry. They concluded by sharing their personal spy-genre favorites, with Clarke citing Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Richardson jokingly picking The Pink Panther.
I think the dynamic between “book smart” and “street smart” characters is a classic trope for a reason, it allows for incredible growth on both sides when written with this much emotional depth. It’s also refreshing to see a spy show prioritize the evolution of a female friendship over the typical high-tech gadgets and action sequences. Which of the two characters, the academic Bea or the rebellious Twila, do you find yourself relating to more? Share your thoughts in the comments.
