Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson Begin Filming in Budapest

Hollywood has come to Budapest as two of television’s brightest stars, Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson, have arrived in the Hungarian capital to begin filming their new series, “Ponies.” The historical thriller, set to premiere on Peacock, brings an intriguing Cold War narrative to the streets of Budapest, which will stand in for 1977 Moscow.

Star Sightings and Local Encounters

Clarke, best known for her role as Daenerys Targaryen in “Game of Thrones,” has already been spotted embracing local culture. In a charming encounter, the actress visited a nail salon in the Újlipótváros district. The Yom Tov salon, located on Kresz Géza Street, shared an Instagram post about their famous client:

“I had a very charming guest today. Thank you very much, Emilia Clarke,” the salon wrote, accompanying the message with a photo of the star.

“Ponies”: A Cold War Espionage Thriller

“Ponies,” created by Susanna Fogel (known for “The Spy Who Dumped Me” and “The Flight Attendant”), is set against the backdrop of Cold War tensions in 1977 Moscow. The series follows two CIA agents, Bea (Clarke) and Twila (Richardson), who uncover a vast conspiracy while investigating their husbands’ mysterious deaths in the Soviet Union.

Clarke’s character, Bea, is described as a Russian-speaking intellectual, while Richardson’s Twila is portrayed as a brave small-town girl. Their unlikely partnership forms the core of this espionage drama.

Production Details

Filming for “Ponies” is expected to commence in early February and continue for several months in Budapest. While much of the cast remains undisclosed, the IMDb page for the series confirms Clarke and Richardson as the leads. Interestingly, Clarke is also taking on a producer role for the project, adding another dimension to her involvement.

Budapest: A Hollywood Favorite

This production further cements Budapest’s reputation as a go-to location for international film and television projects. The city’s versatile architecture and skilled film industry professionals continue to attract high-profile productions from around the world.

As “Ponies” begins to take shape on the streets of Budapest, fans of both actresses and espionage thrillers alike can look forward to seeing how the Hungarian capital transforms into Cold War-era Moscow. With its intriguing premise and star-studded cast, “Ponies” is shaping up to be an exciting addition to Peacock’s lineup of original content.

Image source: Emilia Clarke HQ on X