Persons of No Interest, season 1 (2026)

 Persons of No Interest, season 1 (2026)

“He just… He showed me the world was so much bigger than my parent's little bakery in Rhode Island.”

“Now she's dead and uh… no one's going to ever remember she existed…That's really sad.”

“It matters…Twila, you matter.”

-Ponies, season 1 (2026)

In every story there are moments that have the possibility to captivate us, to motivate us and help us realize that stories matter. Not in the artistic sense of the word, but in the real human sense. People matter. Everybody matters. Perhaps that is why Ponies' first season is so affecting in its exploration of the dignity of the human person.
Truthfully though, this 1970s era spy thriller comedy deserves far more than the word “perhaps” in its initial thematic narrative description. Ponies is far more than just an exuberantly engaging, and comedic journey through the spy-craft of the 1970s. The series is also remarkably grounded in its thoughtful examination of voyeurism and its relationship with the objectification of women and the female form.
Let me restate, Bea and Twila’s climb from tragedy stricken CIA wives to accomplished covert undercover agents, is a witty comedy, through and through. However, that wit is Ponies’ entry point into a deeply meaningful thematic discussion about dignity and the realities of treating people like Ponies. In other words, treating them like Persons of No Interest. Personhood is of the utmost importance here: how we perceive it, how we honor it and thus try to reclaim it, in a world that seeks to distort its relevance and purpose. In a way, Ponies is a joyfully honest mirror of examination for the very medium of television that allows Ponies to tell its meaningful tale.
Every story has at least two sides, and every truth calls us to ponder the validity of its opposite. Along with all the wit and charm, Ponies is a moving reminder that every person matters and every secret has a consequence. Series creators Susanna Fogel and David Iserson, with their team delightfully and insightfully invite us into the world of espionage. Revealing that we are only as sick as our secrets and the humanity we distort to conceal them. As singer-songwriter Billy Joel so eloquently intones over the final episode credits, "They’re the faces of The Stranger, but we love to put them on."
To that end, on a purely content and ratings level, Ponies is of course not for everyone. However, I think its first season beautifully demonstrates its central thematic drive without ever devolving into objectifying voyeurism, in and of itself. The sexual content here is treated with respect and restraint. Though it is still equivalent to its mature rating, it all has narrative or thematic purpose. In other words, no sexual situation is here arbitrarily or without reason. That said, I am in no way saying that parental prudence isn't extraordinarily warranted on behalf of younger audiences.
What I'm saying is, the first season of Ponies affected me in a very meaningful way. I am certain that it is one of the thematic ways that it is meant to affect an attentive adult audience. Though, this subject matter in particular, affects everyone differently. So, prudence is power in this case. Even so, for an appropriate audience, the first season of Ponies is a striking starting point to a deeply needed conversation. A conversation about the immense dignity and honor innately prescribed to every human being from the beginning of time.

Rated TV-MA for sexual content, nudity, violence and language

I found Ponies to be thematically rich, charmingly insightful and deeply meaningful. I hope in some way you do too.

Ponies season 1 can be streamed on NBC Peacock with a subscription or purchased on any digital video streaming service.