Simu Liu takes center stage in the new Peacock thriller series, where complex espionage and psychological conflict drive The Copenhagen Test to gripping heights. Premiering December 27, this sci-fi drama explores the intense world of covert agents, betrayal, and survival, with Liu’s character navigating both internal demons and external threats.
Secrets and Survival in a High-Stakes World
As the series opens, spy boss Peter Moira (Brian d’Arcy James) sits across field agent Alexander Hale (Simu Liu) in an ultra-secure chamber, setting the tone for constant manipulation and trust issues that define their relationship. Hale, a first-generation Chinese American, carries the weight of his family’s hopes, having fled China during the unrest of Tiananmen Square. This heritage adds another level of tension to his loyalty as an American intelligence operative, constantly under scrutiny by those he serves.
“the instincts of an operative, the brains of an analyst: where were you in the mid-90s when I needed you?”
– Peter Moira, Spy Boss
The show’s structure is as much a mental puzzle as an action-packed adventure. Across eight episodes, intricate plots intertwine with combat sequences, where everything from kitchen knives to heavy artillery finds its moment of chaos. No one in The Copenhagen Test can be certain of friend or foe, with each character concealing secret motivations and hidden agendas.
Loyalty Tested Under Fire
Central to the story is a moral dilemma reminiscent of literary classics. Agent Hale is forced to make harrowing decisions, the kind that ask whether a soldier should rescue an American adult or a foreign child if only one can survive. This scenario echoes the impossible choices seen in stories like Sophie’s Choice, amplifying the emotional pressure and anxiety that haunt him long after the decision.
The psychological cost of such trials is high for Hale. Panic attacks and self-doubt invade his mind, threatening his aspirations to join The Orphanage—a secretive intelligence body overseeing the nation’s other agencies. While Hale pushes himself to hide these vulnerabilities, they threaten to consume him and halt his goals, casting doubt on his role as a protector of American interests.
The Threat Within: Mind Hacking and Paranoia
The true twist in the Peacock thriller arrives when Hale discovers his brain has been compromised. Unknown adversaries have hacked into his mind, turning his eyes and ears into a system of surveillance for the enemy. Every action—whether reading confidential files or intimate encounters—risks exposure, as information is piped to a nemesis holding a grudge against The Orphanage.
This violation of privacy also brings crippling physical side effects. Headaches, vision problems, and fleeting neurological episodes add complexity to his existing anxiety, making him unpredictable under pressure. The Orphanage exploits his instability, using him as a potentially explosive weapon to root out and destroy their cunning adversary from within.
Simu Liu Demonstrates Range and Charisma
Stepping in as both star and producer, Simu Liu channels his cinematic presence from his acclaimed role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and applies it skillfully in this tense espionage world.
“Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”
– Simu Liu, Actor
Beyond the martial arts prowess he’s known for, Liu brings layers of intelligence, urgency, and emotional nuance to Alexander Hale, transforming the series from a standard spy tale into a study of a fractured yet determined hero. The romantic subplots exist but never detract from the story’s core tension, keeping sentimentality at bay and focusing on internal struggles and external stakes.
A Talented Ensemble Adds Depth
Kathleen Chalfant stands out as St. George, the enigmatic leader of The Orphanage whose calm presence conceals years of ruthless maneuvering. Her role as both dragon slayer and target of insurrection adds another chess piece to the ongoing power struggle. Whether she genuinely intends to safeguard Hale or simply use him, her motivations remain a source of story suspense.
Brian d’Arcy James portrays Moira as a seasoned administrator whose decades in the field have left him shrewd and pragmatic, with ambitions to eventually unseat St. George. The supporting cast further enhances the shifting allegiances and evolving tactics of the show. Melissa Barrerra brings danger and allure as an unpredictable assassin; Sinclair Davis’s fresh perspective disrupts the status quo and anticipates her colleagues’ next moves; while Saul Rubinek gives a complex turn as the Hale family’s longtime American ally, never quite revealing his full allegiance.
A Labyrinthine Tale for Modern Audiences
The Copenhagen Test lands at a time when audiences are hungry for clever, layered spy series, joining the ranks of acclaimed shows like Slow Horses and Andor. Under the direction of Thomas Brandon and his experienced writing team, the narrative employs time jumps and flashbacks, occasionally challenging viewers to keep pace with its nonlinear unfolding. Despite the risks of narrative complexity, the result is a series that satisfies fans’ cravings for unpredictable, psychologically charged television, marking Liu’s performance as a defining reason to watch.
The anticipation for The Copenhagen Test is high as it prepares to debut on Peacock, promising a tense, intricately-woven thriller that leverages Simu Liu’s talents and a sophisticated ensemble. With its exploration of loyalty, identity, and mind-control set against a backdrop of global intrigue, the series looks set to challenge and captivate its audience from the very first episode.
