LOS ANGELES, July 2025 — Prime Video’s Ride or Die, starring Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham, is set to premiere globally on July 15, 2025. All eight episodes drop at once. The series, filmed entirely in Prague, Czech Republic, is already drawing comparisons to Spy and The Heat for its blend of explosive action and witty banter between two female leads who are real-life best friends.
The series follows two best friends who accidentally stumble into a global espionage plot while on a European vacation. They dodge assassins across iconic Prague locations. The title’s double meaning — loyalty and literal life-or-death stakes — is deliberate.
The Dream Duo: Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham’s Real-Life Bestie Chemistry
Spencer, an Oscar winner for The Help, and Waddingham, a Ted Lasso Emmy winner, met years ago at a charity event. Their off-screen friendship is the engine of the series. Executive producer Tessa Coates told TheTV Cave: “We wrote the banter first, then cast them. Their chemistry is not manufactured.”
In the trailer, released July 10, Spencer and Waddingham exchange rapid-fire insults while fleeing through Prague’s Old Town Square. One scene shows them disguised as nuns in a car chase across Charles Bridge. The action is physical. The comedy relies on timing.
Spy Comedy with Explosive Action: What Sets Ride or Die Apart
The genre blend is intentional: high-stakes espionage meets buddy-comedy rhythms. Car chases, rooftop shootouts, and a market chase through Prague’s Havelské tržiště punctuate the plot. Co-executive producer Matt Miller told TheTV Cave: “We didn’t want a parody. We wanted real danger with real laughs. Female-led action is underserved.”
Miller and Coates, who previously worked on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Veep, designed the series to subvert the buddy-cop formula. The leads are not spies. They are ordinary people improvising survival.
Prague as a Character: Filming Locations and Behind-the-Scenes Stories
The Prague Reporter confirmed that the series shot across multiple Czech locations: Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, the Žižkov Television Tower, and the Barrandov Studio backlots. The city’s mix of Gothic and Brutalist architecture serves as both backdrop and plot device.
Production challenges included coordinating stunts in high-traffic tourist zones. The team used night shoots for chase sequences. The Czech Republic’s 20% cash rebate for international productions was a factor in the location choice, according to sources close to the project.
Executive Producers Tessa Coates and Matt Miller on Crafting the Series
In their TheTV Cave interview, Coates and Miller described the pitch as “Midnight Run meets Atomic Blonde.” They emphasized that the series’ eight-episode arc allows for character development between action set pieces. “Spencer and Waddingham are not just comic relief,” Miller said. “They carry dramatic weight in episodes 5 and 6.”
The producers also noted the global appeal: European locations, American stars, and a story that avoids geopolitical specificity. “It’s a universal story about friendship under pressure,” Coates added.
Trailer Breakdown: Key Moments and Prague Easter Eggs
The official trailer, released July 10, clocks in at 2:15. Key moments include:
- Spencer and Waddingham in disguises at a Prague market (Havelské tržiště).
- A rooftop chase with the Prague Castle skyline in the background.
- An explosive confrontation at the Žižkov Television Tower.
- A train station scene filmed at Prague Main Railway Station.
Unresolved plot points include a mysterious briefcase and a double-cross hinted at in the final shot. The trailer ends with Waddingham’s character screaming: “We are not spies! We are accountants!”
Why Ride or Die Is 2025’s Most Anticipated Spy Comedy
The buddy comedy genre is seeing a resurgence. Prime Video’s investment in female-led action series — following The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Fleabag — signals a market shift. Ride or Die distinguishes itself with a real-life friendship at its core. Early critic reactions from the trailer drop were positive. ThePopverse called it “the buddy spy comedy we didn’t know we needed.”
Comparison to Spy (2015) and The Heat (2013) are inevitable, but Ride or Die benefits from serialized storytelling and a European location budget. The show is not based on a true story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ride or Die
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When does Ride or Die premiere on Prime Video? | July 15, 2025. All eight episodes available at once globally. |
| Where was Ride or Die filmed? | Prague, Czech Republic. Locations include Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and Barrandov Studio. |
| Who stars in Ride or Die? | Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham. Guest stars include several European actors. |
| What is Ride or Die about? | Two best friends who become accidental spies during a European vacation. |
| Is Ride or Die based on a true story? | No. It is a fictional series created by Tessa Coates and Matt Miller. |
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When does ‘Ride or Die’ premiere on Prime Video?
- A: The series premieres globally on July 15, 2025, with all eight episodes dropping at once.
- Q: Where was ‘Ride or Die’ filmed?
- A: The entire series was filmed in Prague, Czech Republic, featuring iconic locations like Old Town Square and Charles Bridge.
- Q: What makes Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham’s chemistry special in the show?
- A: The duo are real-life best friends, and their off-screen bond translates into natural, unmanufactured banter and comedic timing, as emphasized by executive producer Tessa Coates.
- Q: What genre is ‘Ride or Die’?
- A: It’s a spy comedy blending high-stakes espionage with buddy-comedy rhythms, including car chases, rooftop shootouts, and rapid-fire insults.
Extended Reading
For further context on the production, see TheTV Cave’s interview with executive producers Tessa Coates and Matt Miller, and The Prague Reporter’s breakdown of filming locations. ThePopverse also covered the series’ release date and premise.
Sources: ThePopverse, TheTV Cave, The Prague Reporter. Data verified as of July 2025.
