Simu Liu leads the thrilling new Peacock production, The Copenhagen Test, offering an intense blend of espionage, action, and ethical dilemmas. In this high-stakes spy drama, the Simu Liu Peacock spy series sees Liu portraying Alexander Hale, an intelligence analyst whose life is upended by cutting-edge surveillance threats and questions of trust.
Simu Liu Steps Into the Role of Alexander Hale
The show introduces viewers to Alexander Hale, played by Simu Liu, known worldwide for his work as Shang-Chi. Hale operates as an intelligence analyst attached to a classified government agency, his expertise only growing as he ascends in rank. Circumstances take a sharp turn when nanite technology is injected into his system, leaving him vulnerable—every conversation and observation he makes is now accessible to an unknown adversary. This breach isn’t just personal; it puts the integrity of classified operations at grave risk and forces Hale into a maze of uncertainty and suspicion, with consequences that reach his own colleagues, associates, and even past romantic relationships.
Unfolding Danger and Suspicion Inside the Agency
Compelled to quickly adapt, Alexander transitions from routine intelligence work to direct field assignments, fully aware that anyone around him might not be who they claim. The list of potential suspects is vast and unpredictable. Even confidantes such as his ex-girlfriend and the enigmatic bartender Michelle, played by Melissa Barrera, come under scrutiny. Viewers are led through a mesmerizing web of allegiances and betrayals as Hale seeks to uncover the real identity and motivations of the hacker pulling the strings.
Moral Conflicts Set the Tone for the Series
At its core, The Copenhagen Test challenges both its lead character and its audience with intense ethical quandaries. The very first flashback scene demands that Alexander Hale makes an impossible choice—saved adult American from peril or risk everything to protect a helpless child. The decision feels clear-cut, but nothing about the situation or its fallout is easy, blurring the boundaries between duty, morality, and personal values.
“These issues of right and wrong and loyalty, and the difference between blind loyalty and patriotism and those things being conflated with morality, these are all things that are so incredibly topical and relevant in our world today,”
— Simu Liu, Actor
Liu, reflecting on these underlying themes, notes the show’s topical relevance, expressing his uncertainty about the world’s current climate while drawing parallels to age-old questions about what truly defines patriotism. His performance is shaped by this complex intersection of personal beliefs, cultural background, and shifting loyalties. As Liu shares,
“I’m not sure what time we are living in right now, but it kind of feels like that eternal question of, ‘What makes a patriot? Is it the blind loyalty or the courage to question and the courage to stand up?’”
— Simu Liu, Actor
The compelling draw for Liu lies in depicting Alexander’s struggles with these subjects, as well as the unique opportunity offered by the show to explore the protagonist’s heritage, upbringing, and internal moral code.
“Alexander navigating his way through all this, with the context and the background of everything that he carries with him… his culture, his parents, his family… it’s the intersection of a lot of interesting things,”
— Simu Liu, Actor
“I just appreciated the gift from the writers and getting to play all of those things. It’s rare.”
— Simu Liu, Actor
Melissa Barrera Elevates the Action as Michelle
Opposite Simu Liu, Melissa Barrera shines as Michelle, the sharp-minded bartender whose role is anything but peripheral. Tasked with surveilling Alexander at the agency’s behest, Michelle masterfully dances between various personas and uses her rapid thinking to stay ahead of danger. Her skills aren’t limited to mental agility—her prowess in hand-to-hand combat is thrust into the spotlight during an explosive bookstore fight scene, giving Barrera the chance to display her commitment to the show’s physical demands.
“I had prepped a lot for that day,”
— Melissa Barrera, Actor
Barrera describes rigorous preparation for the shoot, acknowledging the high bar set by Liu, who is experienced in action choreography and combat. She was determined to not only perform the intricate fight moves herself but also to ensure Michelle’s believability as a formidable presence.
“I wanted to show off, and I wanted it to be good, and I wanted Michelle to look like she knows what she is doing. I had to leg up to be at Simu’s level because he is a pro. He’s done action. He is really good at hand-to-hand combat. He is so quick at picking up fight choreography. But I had never done this level of intricate fighting. I really wanted to demonstrate I could do it. I didn’t want them to say, ‘Oh, you know what, Melissa? Thanks for trying, but let’s use a body double so that you actually look good.’ I wanted it to be me.”
— Melissa Barrera, Actor
For Barrera, authenticity is paramount. She believes viewers are more immersed when actors perform their own stunts, as it preserves the tension and realism of the action.
“I love seeing when an actor is actually doing their own stunts,”
— Melissa Barrera, Actor
She elaborates that it is easy to notice when body doubles are used, and it disrupts her viewing experience, so she always pushes herself to perform as much action as possible. Barrera recounts the excitement of filming the first major fight scene with Liu, including an unscripted prop break that heightened the intensity and camaraderie on set.
“That was super-fun. That was our first joint action thing in the season. I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was fun. We broke a bookcase that we didn’t have a replacement for. It was amazing. We are both very intense people. When we go, we go 200 percent, which can be dangerous sometimes. But we had an incredible stunt team. We had incredible partners that we were fighting. We rehearsed a lot. That was my first taste of it.”
— Melissa Barrera, Actor
After the adrenaline of that day, Barrera’s appetite for more action only grew.
“After that day, I remember thinking, ‘I hope there is 17 more of these in the season. I just want more,’”
— Melissa Barrera, Actor
Her enthusiasm even led her to pitch a non-stop combat episode reminiscent of iconic action films.
“I even pitched an entire episode to showrunners Jennifer Yale and Thomas Brandon of just fighting. ‘What if we do a John Wick episode where it’s all an hour of action?’ They were like, ‘Yeah, Melissa. No.’ I was like, ‘Think about it. It would be cool.’”
— Melissa Barrera, Actor
The Show’s Broader Themes and Political Undercurrents
While the Simu Liu Peacock spy series delights in fast-paced espionage and complex conspiracies, it is equally committed to exploring broader themes that resonate deeply. Through Alexander Hale’s viewpoint, audiences confront notions of trust, loyalty to nation versus personal conviction, and the consequences of sacrificing ethics on the altar of expediency. Every alliance is questionable, every motive a puzzle, reinforcing the constant tension that defines the spy genre while inviting reflection on the real-world significance of these dilemmas.
Simu Liu’s Next Big Role: Shang-Chi Returns
Simu Liu’s talents as a spy star will soon be complemented by his much-anticipated return as Marvel superhero Shang-Chi in the 2026 film Avengers: Doomsday. After several years away from the character, Liu is set to fight alongside heroes like the Fantastic Four, X-Men, Thunderbolts, and the core Avengers team in their confrontation with Doctor Doom. The prospect of this crossover excites Liu, who secretly hoped his character would get the chance to interact with two actors he admired since childhood.
“My two people I wanted to see my character interact with… I don’t want to say it out loud,”
— Simu Liu, Actor
“Truly, childhood heroes of mine. I am sure you can guess who it is. They are the two that make me feel like a little boy.”
— Simu Liu, Actor
He finally reveals just who these personal icons are, emphasizing their legendary status both on screen and in his personal journey as an actor.
“I’m just going to say it,”
— Simu Liu, Actor
“God dammit. The two that make me feel like a little boy are Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. They are legends.”
— Simu Liu, Actor
Premiere and Anticipation for The Copenhagen Test
The Copenhagen Test, featuring Simu Liu’s gripping performance and Melissa Barrera’s powerful action turns, is scheduled to premiere on Peacock on December 27. The series promises an electrifying mix of high-risk missions, personal stakes, and philosophical debates, laying the groundwork for what could become a landmark entry in the Peacock original lineup.
With a strong supporting cast, inventive action, and scripts that don’t shy away from contemporary issues in the intelligence arena, the Simu Liu Peacock spy series stands out as a timely, emotionally charged addition to the genre. As audiences prepare for its debut and look forward to Liu’s imminent return as Shang-Chi in the Marvel universe, both projects highlight the versatile talent and star power of Simu Liu.
