Reel Interview: Vic Michaelis and Nicholas “Nic” Podany on Twists, Espionage, and Ponies

Reel Perspectives

January 25, 2026

Courtesy of Peacock

Vic Michaelis and Nicholas “Nic” Podany break down their roles as Cheryl and Ray Szymanski in Peacock’s Ponies.

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We Learn the Szymanski Marriage Was the Cover Story

In Peacock’s Ponies, we’re dropped into 1977 Moscow, where two American secretaries — Bea and Twila, played by Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson — see their lives upended when their husbands die under Cardi B levels of suspiciousness in a supposed “plane crash.”

Can I get a collective mmmhmm side-eye at the government cover-up?

Also embedded in this increasingly tense web are CIA analyst Ray Szymanski (Nicholas “Nic” Podany) and his meticulously organized, perpetually stressed wife, Cheryl (Vic Michaelis). At first glance, the couple seems relatively unremarkable — but by the time the finale rolls around, Ponies reveals its sharpest twist yet: Cheryl is the KGB mole, and the Szymanskis’ marriage is suddenly in desperate need of more than just marriage counseling.

Los Angeles–born Podany, a Juilliard-trained actor, previously brought Albus Potter to life on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child from 2019 to 2020. His screen credits include portraying a young Billy Crystal in the docudramedy Saturday Night and starring in Apple TV+’s retro-futuristic comedy Hello Tomorrow!. In Ponies, Podany’s Ray is earnest, awkward, and deeply well-meaning — a capable CIA analyst whose kindness and intelligence are often overlooked, particularly by his own wife.

Michaelis, a New Jersey native, began their career in improv before becoming a familiar face through appearances on Motive, Speechless, and Bless This Mess. They later appeared in multiple episodes of Upload and currently host the delightfully chaotic improvisational talk show Very Important People. As Cheryl, Michaelis plays the ultimate Type A office manager — sharp-tongued, judgmental, and quietly ruthless — reigning over the embassy wives while consistently undermining Ray.

In our exclusive conversation with Michaelis and Podany, we chat about why it took almost 20 takes for Nic’s “Xerox” line in the pilot, unpack the shock of the finale twist, explore why Reddit deep dives can be surprisingly useful character research, and consider how the Winter Garden Theatre’s green room might actually be the perfect place to spy.

Watch our interview as we break down Cheryl's KGB twist from the finale:

Love conspiracy theories as much as we do? Catch up on all episodes of Ponies, now streaming on Peacock.