Simu Liu, known for his role in Shang-Chi, is back in action in the new Peacock series, The Copenhagen Test. He plays Alexander Hale, a government intelligence analyst who discovers he’s been implanted with nanites as he takes on more responsibility. These tiny machines allow an enemy to secretly monitor everything he hears and sees, potentially compromising top-secret information and missions.
Alexander is now on risky missions, trying to uncover a hacker’s plan while keeping a low profile. He can’t trust anyone – even his coworkers, his ex, and Michelle, the friendly bartender who seems to have a hidden interest in him.
The story immediately presents a moral challenge for Alexander, forcing him to confront what others expect of him. He’s faced with a difficult choice: follow orders to protect an adult American, or save a vulnerable child. While the situation appears straightforward, the result is surprisingly complex.
Liu recently discussed how relevant themes of right versus wrong, and true loyalty versus blind allegiance, are to today’s world. In a Zoom interview with ComicBook, he explained that it feels like we’re grappling with age-old questions about what defines a patriot – is it unwavering support, or the bravery to challenge and speak out?
He explains that Alexander is a complex character shaped by his background – his culture, upbringing, and family. He felt grateful to the writers for giving him the opportunity to explore all these layers, calling it a rare and rewarding experience.
So, they sent this operative, Melissa, to get close to Alexander and basically watch his every move. She’s incredible – a real chameleon who can become anyone, think on her feet, and, as we see in this amazing bookstore fight, she’s seriously skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Honestly, that scene really showed me just how much of a total badass Michelle – and the actress, Barrera – is!
Barrera admits she felt a lot of pressure that day. She really wanted to impress everyone and make sure she appeared competent, especially alongside Simu Liu, who is a seasoned action performer. Knowing he was a pro with excellent combat skills and a quick learner when it came to fight choreography, she felt she needed to rise to his level. She hadn’t attempted such complex fight scenes before and was determined to prove she could handle them herself. She didn’t want anyone to suggest using a stunt double, and she was committed to performing the scenes personally.
As a moviegoer, one of the things I really appreciate is seeing actors commit to their own stunts. It’s immediately noticeable when they’re using a double – you can just tell when it isn’t them, and it pulls me right out of the moment. So, I always push myself to do as much as possible, and this particular scene was a blast! It was the first real action sequence my co-star and I did together all season, and I remember the day vividly. We went all-in, and honestly, we ended up breaking a bookcase that we couldn’t replace! We’re both pretty intense people, and we really committed – maybe a little too committed at times. Luckily, we had an amazing stunt team and fantastic fight partners. We rehearsed a ton, and it was my first real experience with that kind of physical work.
She recalls feeling after that day, “I really hope we have at least seventeen more episodes like this one – I just want to keep the momentum going!” She even suggested a whole episode dedicated to action sequences to the showrunners, Jennifer Yale and Thomas Brandon. “I proposed an hour-long action episode, kind of like John Wick. They quickly shut down the idea, but I still think it would have been awesome.”
Simu Liu will return as Shang-Chi in the 2026 film Avengers: Doomsday, marking a shift from his previous role as a spy. After being absent from the Marvel Cinematic Universe since his first appearance in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings four years ago, his character will join the fight against Doctor Doom. The film will also feature appearances by the Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts, and members of both the X-Men and Avengers teams. Liu has said he was already excited about the possibility of working with some of these heroes, and Doomsday will allow him to fulfill that wish.
Liu shared that they’re excited about scenes with two specific people, playfully refusing to reveal who they are. He described them as childhood heroes who inspire a feeling of childlike wonder.
He finished by saying, “Honestly, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart just make me feel like a kid again. They’re true legends.”
The Copenhagen Test debuts on Peacock on December 27.
https://comicbook.com/movies/news/every-movie-tv-show-coming-to-peacock-in-january-2026/embed/#
Read More
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Meet the cast of Mighty Nein: Every Critical Role character explained
- Tougen Anki Episode 24 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Eldegarde, formerly Legacy: Steel & Sorcery, launches January 21, 2026
- Avatar 3 Popcorn Buckets Bring Banshees From Pandora to Life
- Fishing Guide in Where Winds Meet
- Tales of Berseria Remastered Set for PS5, $40 Game Out on 27th February
- One of the Best BioWare Games Is Currently Only $1.49
- Beyond Hidden Variables: The Limits of Local Realism in Quantum Dynamics
2025-12-25 18:10