Simu Liu has spent the last few years proving he can carry just about anything. A Marvel blockbuster, a Ken-tastic dance number, and the expectations that come with being one of the most visible Asian actors in Hollywood. Now, he is turning his attention inward with “The Copenhagen Test,” a sci-fi spy thriller that asks a very uncomfortable question: what happens when you can no longer trust your own mind?
The upcoming series, set to premiere on HBO Max, stars Liu as Alexander Hale, an intelligence agent whose life spirals into chaos after hackers target him. Not his phone, not his files, but his own mind and perceptions. Someone has been using his head as a wi-fi router to access intelligence secrets. Suddenly, everything he sees is up for debate.
Rather than removing him from duty, the intelligence agency makes a chilling decision. They use him as bait to flush out the mole who has been prying around in his consciousness. From that point on, Alexander’s life is no longer entirely his own.
Created by Thomas Brandon and executive produced by James Wan, “The Copenhagen Test” leans heavily into paranoia, tension, and the creeping dread of not knowing who to trust. It is a spy thriller, yes, but one filtered through a near-future lens where technology has blurred the line between truth and manipulation. The result feels less like a traditional espionage story and more like a psychological puzzle that tightens its grip with every episode.
Melissa Barrera stars opposite Liu as Michelle, a key figure in Alexander’s life whose intentions are never entirely clear. The cast also includes Sinclair Daniel, Brian d’Arcy James, Mark O’Brien, and Kathleen Chalfant, all of whom add weight to a story that thrives on uncertainty and shifting alliances.
Since his breakout turn as Shang-Chi in 2021, the 36-year-old Canadian has also become one of the most prominent voices advocating for Asian representation in Hollywood. He has been outspoken about the need for complex, leading roles for Asian actors. That advocacy extends both on screen and behind the scenes. Liu actively seeks out projects that move beyond stereotypes. He is especially drawn to roles that allow him to explore vulnerability, authority, and interior conflict.
“The Copenhagen Test” marks a significant step in that evolution, not just as an actor but as a producer. For Liu, the series represents what he describes as being “at bat,” an opportunity to step up, swing, and see what happens. It is about taking responsibility for the moment in front of him, whether that means leading a cast, shaping a story, or pushing himself creatively.
Preparing for the role, Liu explained, was far less about physical combat and far more about psychology. “I didn’t have the time to do BUD/S training myself,” he said, referencing the famously gruelling Special Forces program, “but I spoke to a lot of former Special Forces, and we talked a lot about what that mentality means.” That intensity, and how Alexander moves, scans, and measures every interaction, comes straight from that military foundation, even if his battlefield is now mostly inside his own head.
When discussing the show’s tonal influences, Liu pointed to a mix of classic paranoia thrillers and high-concept sci-fi. He said the creative team frequently referenced “The Truman Show” and “The Bourne Identity.” “The Truman Show is in my Mount Rushmore of movies,” he added, noting how Alexander’s life is engineered in ways that echo Ed Harris’s character’s elaborate experiment. That sense of orchestration, Liu explained, makes Alexander’s paranoia and constant evaluation of trust feel both thrilling and grounded.
Liu also spoke candidly about how the show mirrors his own experiences as an actor. “There’s a lot of what we do where you show up, and you’re playing a character who’s a love interest,” he said. “Then afterwards, you go home, and you’re like, ‘Wait… was that real?’” That blurring of reality and performance is especially present in Alexander’s relationship with Michelle. Liu called working with Barrera “incredible,” emphasising that even in a story layered with deception, there must be a core of emotional truth to anchor the relationships.
At its heart, the actor believes the series is about trust and self-belief. Alexander’s journey is not just about proving his loyalty to others, but about learning to trust himself. “You can’t go your whole life seeking validation from the people around you,” he said. “His journey over the course of the first season is about finding that agency within himself.” That internal struggle is what elevates the series beyond genre mechanics.
Liu also highlighted the subtlety required to convey paranoia on screen. “The challenge isn’t in being the guy who beats down a door or the seventeen people behind it,” he said. “It’s in the subtle notes. Every single movement matters, down to where his eyes are looking.” That fine balance between truth and manipulation drives both the suspense of the show and the character’s complexity.
In this day and age, technology is reaching a point where reality and virtuality are almost indistinguishable. This can be both a benefit and a bane. With “The Copenhagen Test,” the actor highlighted the relevance of its near-future tech. In the show, privacy is gone, and reality can be manipulated. It feels “just ahead of its time”, given how much our lives are already mediated by surveillance and algorithms. “Technology is improving in such leaps and bounds that AI wasn’t even a speck of a thought when the show was first written,” he explained. “And now we’re at a point where we can no longer trust the videos that we’re seeing.”
Beyond the psychological tension, Liu also celebrated the creative collaboration behind the series. He praised Thomas Brandon and James Wan. Their vision, he said, allowed him to explore the character’s vulnerability while keeping the action thrilling. He also expressed admiration for the supporting cast. Because the story thrives on uncertainty, the relationships on and off screen were essential to grounding the performances.
Liu’s own experiences in Hollywood, from Marvel to Barbie to his early days as a background performer, informed his perspective on Alexander’s challenges. “Being a background performer on “Pacific Rim” was how I first learned the craft,” he said. “The idea that we would replace an entire echelon of performers with AI really deprives people of gaining that skill.” Liu brings both personal insight and professional respect to the layers of deception, risk, and stakes in Alexander’s world.
When asked about what viewers should take away from the show, Liu kept it fun and pointed. “Cast Melissa Barrera in everything,” he quipped. More seriously, he noted that the series offers a mix of action, suspense, and emotional intrigue. He hopes it keeps audiences thinking long after each episode ends.
When asked about a potential second season, Liu emphasised that Alexander ends the first season in a much stronger position, able to trust his instincts and take control of his life. “Rather than being a passive witness and struggling to keep up, he’s now in the driver’s seat,” Liu said. “That’s something really exciting as a performer.”
If the actor’s enthusiasm indicates anything, “The Copenhagen Test” aims to linger. It doesn’t just function as a thriller; it serves as a reminder of how fragile identity becomes in a world where everything, even your own thoughts, can be engineered. And for Liu, it is another moment at bat, another swing taken with intention.
All episodes of “The Copenhagen Test” will premiere exclusively on HBO Max on December 27. Don’t miss it!
