The creators of Peacock’s new spy thriller The Copenhagen Test have shared details about the challenging ideas at the heart of the show. In recent interviews, showrunners Thomas Brandon and Jennifer Yale discussed a deleted scene, the complex questions about consent their story raises, and the unique visual style they used to create a sense of paranoia.
The series stars Simu Liu as Alexander Hale, an intelligence analyst for a secret agency called The Orphanage. After his mind is hacked, both his enemies and his own superiors can see and hear everything he experiences. To track down the source, he is forced to partner undercover with fellow agent Michelle, played by Melissa Barrera, while knowing their every move is watched.
The Shower Scene That Was “Too Funny” for the Pilot
A key moment illustrating Alexander’s total loss of privacy was filmed but ultimately cut from the first episode. Thomas Brandon described the scene, which occurred at the end of the pilot.
“We had a shower scene. It was at the end of the pilot, and it was kind of indicative of him accepting the mission. He’s getting undressed to go in the shower and then he just looks down,” Brandon explained.
The moment was meant to show Alexander surrendering his entire life—his body, friends, and private space—to prove his loyalty. However, the team felt the tone was not quite right for the series opener.
“It was kind of a little too funny for the end of the pilot,” Brandon admitted. The scene was removed, but its core idea about the sacrifice of personal privacy remained a central theme.
“Weird Consent Issues” in a World of Constant Surveillance
The concept of a character living with no privacy led to significant discussions in the writers’ room. Brandon stated that these conversations were some of the longest they had while developing the show.
“It brings up some weird consent issues,” Brandon said, highlighting the moral complexities of the premise.
This theme plays out directly in the relationship between Alexander and Michelle. In one intimate scene, Michelle explicitly asks for Alexander’s permission before creating a moment of privacy.
“That’s why she says, ‘Are you sure?’ And she turns off the light,” co-showrunner Jennifer Yale pointed out, noting the character’s awareness of their monitored situation.
Creating Paranoia From What You See, Not What You Don’t
Visually, the showrunners made a deliberate choice to move away from classic spy thriller shadows and darkness. Instead, they crafted a feeling of dread from clarity, not obscurity.
“What we decided in our show is what would be creepy is the things you see but you don’t understand,” said Brandon.
The camera often stays close to Alexander, showing the world over his shoulder. This allows the audience to see the detailed workings of his environment—like an office that feels like a set—without knowing who is part of the conspiracy. Brandon compared this unsettling feeling to the experience of the main character in The Truman Show.
Building a Romance on a Foundation of Lies
A major layer of the story is the romantic relationship that develops between Alexander and Michelle, even as he remains unaware that she is initially manipulating him as part of her assignment. The writers spent considerable time building their chemistry before revealing the deception.
“We took a lot of time to make sure that we built up their chemistry before you find out that she’s manipulating him, because you want to want them to get together,” Yale explained.
Executive producer James Wan noted that this romantic and combative dynamic between the two leads reminded him of films like Mr. and Mrs. Smith and classic Hitchcock stories. Simu Liu also commented on the unique nature of their on-screen relationship, joking that it felt like being on a reality dating show.
“I told her, it almost feels like being on Love Island. It feels like Michelle and Alexander are in their own reality TV show about finding love, because they’re playing out this romance,” Liu said.
Also Read:
The Mysterious Past and Future of Michelle
Michelle is portrayed as a deeply layered character whose true motives and history are ambiguous. Brandon described her as a “Russian nesting doll,” where you never know if you are seeing the real person.
A key question for the creators is whether Michelle has played so many roles that she has lost sight of her own truth. This complexity extends to the series’ ending, which leaves her fate intentionally open.
While the first season provides a complete story, the show was designed with future stories in mind. Brandon confirmed there are ideas for where the series could go next.
“It was always designed as an ongoing series, so there’s plans and ideas and hopes for what a second season could be,” he said.
The Copenhagen Test, starring Simu Liu and Melissa Barrera, is now streaming in full on Peacock.
Also Read: Power Book IV: Force Season 3 Episode 8 Recap: A Brutal Betrayal Ignites Chicago’s Final War
