How Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera Became the Ultimate Spy Duo in The Copenhagen Test

How Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera Became the Ultimate Spy Duo in The Copenhagen Test

December 29, 2025

Welcome to the Spy Game!

Picture this: you stroll onto a film set and it looks like the inside of a fancy espionage movie—complete with super-secret gadgets and a whole bunch of people hustling to make magic happen. This is exactly what you get when you step onto the set of Peacock’s latest mind-bending thriller, The Copenhagen Test. It’s like stepping into another dimension where spies are real and so are their dramatic lives!

Meet the Star of the Show

The series stars Simu Liu, who trades the martial arts of Shang-Chi for the brain-twisting world of a government spy called Alexander Hale. Picture this: Hale suspects that his brain is being hijacked by mysterious baddies while working at a shady organization called The Orphanage. Yikes! Now, he’s on a mission to find out who’s been invading his mind while also saving his own skin. Talk about a stressful day at work!

Press Day Shenanigans

During our spy-tastic press day, we found ourselves perched on a fancy platform above a sea of high-tech gizmos ready to track our hero, Hale. Simu, who also produced the show, was down below in a director’s chair, kinda like he was the head honcho of this spy academy. As we threw questions at him, it felt a little like interrogating him. Totally not creepy, right?

Character Chat with Simu Liu

Simu kicked things off by explaining Alexander’s emotional rollercoaster. He described Hale as this super competent dude who’s feeling stuck in a boring career rut while everyone else climbs the corporate ladder. We’re talking about someone who can work wonders yet feels totally overlooked. So, naturally, they decided to start the story with a bang—a snazzy sequence to show off what Alexander can really do.

Unpacking Alexander Hale

But wait, there’s more! Alexander isn’t just a one-dimensional character. He’s juggling multiple versions of himself, depending on who’s watching. It’s a bit like playing peekaboo with his own psyche—and when you throw in a high-stakes storyline, it becomes a deliciously confusing ride for viewers. Simu and the showrunners had a blast creating the twists and layers that keep us on the edge of our seats!

Action-Packed Training

Now, let’s talk about the action! Simu was thrilled about the firearms training—something this Canadian wasn’t super familiar with. Getting down and dirty with the choreography for hand-to-hand combat was a game-changer for him. He had to ditch the Shang-Chi moves for something more brutal and utilitarian. Think elbows flying and maximum impact. Basically, it’s like the coolest dance party where the stakes are life and death!

Chemistry is Key

Then comes the fun part—building chemistry with co-star Melissa Barrera, who plays Michelle, a secret agent playing the role of Hale’s fake girlfriend. Sounds easy, right? Not quite! Simu and Melissa had to carve out this on-screen partnership that felt genuine. They kickstarted their bond over lunches and coffees, diving deep into each other’s motivations and artist souls. Spoiler alert: it all paid off.

Unraveling Michelle

Now, what’s the deal with Michelle, you ask? She’s had her secret agent experiences and has a mysterious past that keeps you guessing. Melissa described her character as having a background so tangled, even she isn’t sure what happened! Each episode drops little nuggets of info that construct the enigma of Michelle. Intrigued yet?

Fighting Style Unplugged

In terms of combat, Michelle is a fierce force—think elbows over traditional punches because who wants to break their hands anyway? Melissa trained hard, channeling a unique fighting style that’s all about using her strengths to take down bigger opponents. Talk about girl power!

Searching for a Backstory

And what about Michelle’s inner turmoil? While creating a mysterious backstory, Melissa aimed to keep her character pragmatic, not dwelling too much on her past trauma. It’s like putting on a brave face while carrying the weight of the world! She had to balance showing vulnerability while still keeping her character’s edge intact.

Final Thoughts

Finally, when asked about her limits, Melissa spilled the beans about how the rigorous hand-to-hand combat training pushed her to new heights. It’s been quite the wild ride, but hey, she’s loving every moment! So if you’re ready for some thrilling espionage drama, The Copenhagen Test is streaming now on Peacock. Don’t miss out—grab some popcorn and get ready to dive deep into this spy saga!