Simu Liu finally got to live out his super spy fantasy. The actor stars as intelligence agent Alexander Hale in the new Peacock series The Copenhagen Test, a role he always wanted. In the show, his character's mind gets hacked by an enemy trying to destroy his agency. Liu said he was drawn to the topical themes of surveillance and technology, set in a near-future world of espionage. He also connected deeply with Alexander's backstory as someone from an immigrant family, constantly second-guessed and underestimated in his work, which felt culturally specific and resonant.
As both star and executive producer, Liu said he is doing his part to get projects made that feel universal yet uniquely his own. With Hale's mind compromised, his superiors assign fellow agent Michelle, played by Melissa Barrera, to pose as his girlfriend to track the source. Liu described their dynamic as akin to a reality TV show like Love Island, with layers of performance since they know they are being watched. He called Barrera a great scene partner for navigating those complex layers.
As both star and executive producer, Liu said he is doing his part to get projects made that feel universal yet uniquely his own. With Hale's mind compromised, his superiors assign fellow agent Michelle, played by Melissa Barrera, to pose as his girlfriend to track the source. Liu described their dynamic as akin to a reality TV show like Love Island, with layers of performance since they know they are being watched. He called Barrera a great scene partner for navigating those complex layers.
