All 8 Episodes of ‘The Copenhagen Test’ Drop on Peacock – The Addictive Bourne-Lite Spy Thriller Perfect for Holiday Binge-Watching

By Entertainment Desk December 29, 2025

Peacock has just unleashed all eight episodes of its gripping new espionage thriller The Copenhagen Test, breaking from the usual weekly release strategy – and for good reason. This sci-fi-infused spy series is the kind of twisty, paranoia-fueled ride that’s impossible to pause, making it the ultimate holiday binge for fans craving high-stakes intrigue without leaving the couch.

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The Copenhagen Test’ Review: Peacock Thriller Flatlines

Official promotional image of Simu Liu as Alexander Hale in ‘The Copenhagen Test’.

Leading the charge is Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Barbie) as Alexander Hale, a sharp-minded, first-generation Chinese-American intelligence analyst working for “The Orphanage” – a secretive oversight agency that monitors other spy operations. What begins as a routine existence spirals into nightmare territory when Hale discovers his brain has been technologically hacked, granting unknown enemies real-time access to everything he sees and hears.

Caught in a web of deception, Hale must pretend nothing’s wrong while desperately trying to identify the perpetrators and prove his loyalty. Is there a mole inside his agency? Can he trust his handlers – or even himself? The high-concept premise blends classic spy tension with cutting-edge sci-fi, evoking shades of the Bourne franchise but with a cerebral, tech-driven twist.

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Why You Recognize The Copenhagen Test Star Melissa Barrera | Peacock

Melissa Barrera as the enigmatic Michelle in a tense scene.

Adding layers of suspicion and chemistry is Melissa Barrera (Scream, In the Heights) as Michelle, a mysterious operative assigned as Hale’s girlfriend to maintain cover. Their relationship blurs lines between genuine connection and calculated manipulation, delivering steamy moments amid the paranoia. Barrera’s performance keeps viewers guessing – ally or threat?

The strong ensemble includes Sinclair Daniel as rookie officer Parker, Brian d’Arcy James as Hale’s tough mentor John Moira, Mark O’Brien as ambitious agent Cobb, and Kathleen Chalfant in a pivotal role. Created by Thomas Brandon, with co-showrunner Jennifer Yale and executive producer James Wan (known for horror hits but flexing thriller muscles here), the series was filmed in Toronto and boasts sleek production values.

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The Copenhagen Test TV Review: Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera lead a …

Key art capturing the series’ intense espionage atmosphere.

Critics are divided but agree on its binge appeal: While some note it doesn’t fully match the adrenaline of Bourne or delve as deep philosophically, Liu’s charismatic, restrained performance anchors the chaos beautifully. Barrera shines as the enigmatic foil, and the escalating twists – layers of betrayal, shadowy agencies, and moral dilemmas – make it hard to stop watching.

Early reviews praise the fresh sci-fi hook in a crowded spy genre. “A smart, twisty thriller with a sci-fi edge,” one calls it, highlighting impressive action choreography that plays to Liu’s strengths without overindulging. Others suggest it runs slightly long – perhaps better suited as a feature film – but the full-season drop allows momentum to build unchecked.

Premiering December 27, 2025, The Copenhagen Test arrives at the perfect post-holiday moment, when viewers crave immersive escapes. Currently holding a solid 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s entertaining enough for genre fans, with themes of identity, surveillance, and trust feeling eerily timely.

Liu, also an executive producer, has called it a “super spy fantasy” he’s long wanted to tackle. Barrera brings nuance to her deceptive role, creating electric tension opposite Liu.

If you’re seeking a series to devour over New Year’s weekend – complete with mind-bending reveals, solid fights, and unreliable narrators – this is it. Just don’t blame us if you emerge blinking days later.

All episodes now streaming exclusively on Peacock.

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The Copenhagen Test: Peacock Unveils New Trailer, Photos & Key Art …

Simu Liu in a high-stakes moment from the series.