The Copenhagen Test is a clear sign that it’s time for a long-overdue The Truman Show TV spinoff. Peacock’s recent sci-fi series has been at the top of the streaming charts since it first hit the platform near the end of 2025, though it has divided critics and general audiences. While Rotten Tomatoes shows an approval rating of 65% from critics, viewer reviews have been 88% positive. Clearly, The Copenhagen Test‘s unique premise has resonated with general audiences. Of course, this could be expected considering the show’s inspiration.
The Copenhagen Test showrunner Thomas Brandon revealed that 1998’s The Truman Show is among his favorite movies, and there are significant similarities between his new sci-fi and the Jim Carrey-starred film. In The Copenhagen Test, Simu Liu’s Alexander Hale discovers that his mind has been hacked, allowing enemies to observe everything he sees and hears. To survive and find answers, Hale must pretend that he is unaware while unable to trust what features of his life are real. It’s the same kind of idea that made The Truman Show such a hit, and The Copenhagen Test‘s success is a sign that there’s more room to grow here.
The Copenhagen Test Proves That The Pitched Truman Show TV Series Should Have Happened
The Copenhagen Test takes The Truman Show‘s “my life is a lie” idea and adjusts it to the long-form medium of television, and it clearly works. In a way, however, this is a shame, since the 1998 movie’s creator, Andrew Niccol, had previously pitched a TV sequel to The Truman Show. Niccol’s idea followed years of fruitless discussions about The Truman Show 2 and would have seen a variety of characters unwittingly participate in a reality-TV universe after Truman’s exit from his fictional life in the film.
Though The Copenhagen Test scratches the itch in some regard, it’s disappointing that Niccol’s The Truman Show TV pitch hasn’t come to anything. The showrunner shared his idea back in 2023, and, as of the start of 2026, there’s been no further news.
It’s possible that Noccol’s idea just never got picked up, with production companies perhaps deciding that a sequel to a nearly 30-year-old film would be too risky. This may be true, but it’s important to consider that such a series would lean on the ever-entertaining premise of The Truman Show, not onthe original characters or story. A TV sequel would stand on its own. The Copenhagen Test should be a signal to the industry that this is an avenue worth exploring.
It’s Not Too Late For The Truman Show To Get A TV Sequel
Even with The Copenhagen Test‘s audience approval, there are clearly some obstacles in the way of a Truman Show TV series. As previously stated, Peacock’s new sci-fi is divisive, with critics providing far less favorable reviews. A project’s profitability typically rests on viewers, but critical reception remains a plus and a decent indicator of whether a show will last. Production companies may want to keep an eye on shows like The Copenhagen Test to see how things play out. If the interest in these types of projects stays strong, a new series stands a chance.
Niccol shared his The Truman Show TV idea only a couple of years ago, and there was no indication that this was a pitch that had been killed decades earlier. He may still be shopping the idea. While we would have loved to see The Truman Show‘s concept continue on the small screen long before now, we can still cross our fingers. Until then, The Copenhagen Test is here to watch instead.
