James Wan’s production company, Atomic Monster, known for horror hits like Annabelle and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, is shifting gears toward science fiction with the upcoming series The Copenhagen Test. Set to premiere on Peacock on December 27, this eight-episode first season stars Simu Liu, famed for his role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, alongside Melissa Barrera, recognized from Scream and Your Monster. The show offers a tense espionage story focused on an intelligence race with a distinctive sci-fi twist, marking a new direction for Wan’s storytelling style.
A revealing image from Collider’s Exclusive Preview event captures a charged moment between Liu’s character, Alexander Hale, and Barrera’s Michelle. Their conversation, set in the quiet backdrop of a bookstore, hints at a critical confrontation where neither is willing to yield, underscoring the high-stakes tension intrinsic to the series.
Exploring the Story of The Copenhagen Test
The narrative centers on Alexander Hale, a first-generation Chinese–American intelligence analyst whose life is uprooted after a mysterious attacker hacks directly into his brain. This invasion means everything Alexander perceives is relayed in real-time to an unknown outside entity. With trust shattered and help nowhere to be found, Alexander must rely on his own wits and training to survive, turning his analytical skills inward to identify the hidden enemy within his mind. This premise sets up a gripping psychological thriller fused with cutting-edge sci-fi elements, emphasizing themes of surveillance, control, and survival.
Key Players and Creative Team Behind the Series
Alongside Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera, The Copenhagen Test features a strong supporting cast including Sinclair Daniel (The Other Black Girl), Brian D’Arcy James (13 Reasons Why), Mark O’Brien (Ready or Not), and Kathleen Chalfant (The Affair). The series was created by Thomas Brandon, known for his work on Legacies, who serves as co-showrunner, writer, and executive producer. Jennifer Yale (See) also acts as co-showrunner and executive producer.
Simu Liu takes on an additional role as an executive producer, working alongside James Wan, Michael Clear, Rob Hackett, Mark Winemaker, and Jet Wilkinson, all of whom contribute their expertise to this ambitious production under Atomic Monster’s banner.
Why The Copenhagen Test Matters and What’s Next
The Copenhagen Test signals a bold evolution in James Wan’s portfolio, blending his talent for tension and horror with a cerebral, sci-fi espionage thriller. By focusing on a nuanced character like Alexander Hale, who navigates an internal threat as well as external dangers, the series promises to explore the psychological toll of surveillance and the erosion of trust in high-stakes intelligence work. The December 27 release on Peacock invites audiences to engage with a story that combines suspense, emotional depth, and futuristic intrigue, potentially opening avenues for further seasons that delve deeper into this unsettling espionage landscape.
“It looks like a rather tense meeting is going down between Liu’s Alexander and Barrera’s Michelle in our exclusive shot of The Copenhagen Test.” ?Collider Exclusive Preview
