When Math Becomes a Weapon: Prime Target Is a Taut and Tense Thriller
Of all the streaming services out there (and there are plenty), Apple TV+ might just be the best place to stumble upon hidden gems—shows that somehow seem to appear out of nowhere, despite being top-tier quality. The Cupertino streamer marketing strategy (or lack thereof) is a whole conversation on its own, but one thing’s for sure: when it comes to content, they deliver. And that brings us to Prime Target, a show that deserves way more attention than it’s getting.
Prime Target is an eight-episode thriller series that premiered on Apple TV+ on January 22, with episodes rolling out weekly until March 5. The story follows Edward Brooks (Leo Woodall), a Cambridge University mathematics post-grad student who stumbles upon a pattern in prime numbers—one that could shatter global digital security as we know it. His discovery quickly makes him a target (no pun intended), pulling him into a dangerous world of espionage, where powerful forces battle for control over his work.
Now, if you’re wondering why we’re talking about this show in an LGBTQ+ magazine, here’s the answer: Prime Target is queer. Yep, you read that right. Edward is a member of the community and the best part? The show doesn’t revolve around his sexuality. It’s just another part of who he is. No dramatic coming-out arc, no trauma-centered plotline, just a queer protagonist in a high-stakes thriller. And honestly, that’s all we could ask for. The simple act of allowing us, as queer people, to exist in stories that aren’t solely about our identities is revolutionary in itself.
And that’s not to say stories that center on LGBTQ+ identities aren’t important because they absolutely are. But so are stories like Prime Target, where we get to be the main character without our queerness being the conflict. Straight characters get to do this all the time, so why shouldn’t we? We need both kinds of narratives to create real balance in representation.
But anyway, we’re digressing. Let’s get back to why we’re here—to talk about Prime Target. So let’s do this, shall we?
PSA: From this point forward, there will be some spoilers for Season 1 of Prime Target. If you haven’t watched the show yet and want to go in completely unspoiled, we highly recommend hitting pause on this review, catching up, and then coming back. You’ve been warned.
Prime Target: A Brilliant Mind, A Dangerous Discovery
As we mentioned earlier, Prime Target is a high-stakes thriller that follows Edward Brooks, a brilliant but socially withdrawn mathematics post-graduate student at Cambridge University. Edward has spent his life buried in numbers, chasing theories most people wouldn’t even begin to understand. But when he stumbles upon a groundbreaking pattern in prime numbers—one that could dismantle global digital security—his quiet academic life turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse. Suddenly, his research is no longer just an abstract theory; it’s a weapon that powerful forces are desperate to control.
The show wastes no time pulling us into Edward’s discovery and its dangerous implications. The idea that a purely intellectual breakthrough could have world-altering consequences adds a unique tension to the story. What starts as a theoretical breakthrough in encryption rapidly spirals into a global crisis, with government agencies and criminal organizations racing to get their hands on Edward’s work. And when we say racing, we mean it because Edward quickly becomes a prime target (pun absolutely intended).
One of the key players in this escalating chase is Taylah Sanders (Quintessa Swindell), an NSA agent whose pursuit of Edward sets the entire chain of events in motion. Initially, she sees him as a potential national security threat, but as she learns more about his research—and the people trying to exploit it—her mission becomes more complicated. What’s refreshing about Taylah’s dynamic with Edward is that Prime Target resists the all-too-common urge to force a romantic subplot between them. Instead, their relationship is built on tension, mutual respect, and shifting perspectives. It’s another win for the show—giving us a male-female dynamic that isn’t driven by romance but by ideological and ethical dilemmas.
The academic setting also plays a crucial role in the series. When the show opens, Edward is working under a new mentor, Professor Robert Mallinder (David Morrissey), after his former mentor, Professor Raymond Osborne (Joseph Mydell), stepped away from academia due to Alzheimer’s. Edward is hesitant about Robert, and the feeling is mutual—there’s a clear lack of trust between them. Despite their strained dynamic, they attempt to work together, but everything shifts when Robert discovers the true nature of Edward’s research.
Alarmed by its implications, Robert warns Edward to stop immediately, even going as far as burning down his work in a desperate attempt to shut it down. Before Edward can confront him about his actions, Robert dies in what initially appears to be a tragic accident. His death is officially ruled as a suicide, but as the series progresses, it becomes clear that there’s something far more sinister at play—something that ties directly to Edward’s discovery.
This moment is where Prime Target fully embraces its espionage-thriller identity. Edward is forced to go on the run, hunted by powerful forces while trying to protect his research. The show masterfully balances intellectual tension with pulse-pounding action—chases, close calls, and high-level cyber warfare all woven together with smart dialogue that dives deep into encryption and cybersecurity. Thematically, the show raises fascinating questions about the intersection of academia and national security. Should every scientific discovery be shared with the world? Or are some breakthroughs too dangerous to be known?
And while the series keeps us hooked with its fast-paced thriller elements, it also makes space for something more personal. Because amidst the chaos, Edward isn’t just running for his life—he’s also navigating matters of the heart.
Romance in the Midst of Chaos
Listen, this show isn’t a rom-com or anything like it, but even in the midst of all the high-stakes espionage, Prime Target makes space for a little romance. Early in the series, Edward has a one-night stand with Adam Mellor (Fra Fee), a bartender at a local Cambridge pub. It’s passionate but impersonal—Edward is cold and distant afterward, making it clear he’s not interested in anything more than a fleeting encounter. Adam, however, doesn’t just fade into the background. Despite Edward’s reluctance, he keeps returning to the bar, drawn to Adam in ways he won’t openly admit.
What starts as a casual fling slowly transforms into something more. Adam, initially intrigued by Edward, soon realizes that the man is a complicated and emotionally closed-off person. Yet, despite Edward’s tendency to keep people at arm’s length, there’s an undeniable pull between them. As the series progresses, Edward begins to see Adam as a rare source of stability amid the chaos unraveling around him. He doesn’t let Adam into his world completely, but there’s an underlying sense of trust—fragile, but real.
We won’t spoil too much, but what’s particularly refreshing about their relationship is how seamlessly it fits into the broader narrative. It’s not the central focus of the show, but it’s part of the story, just as any romance would be in a straight-led thriller. As we mentioned earlier, Prime Target doesn’t dwell on Edward’s sexuality, it simply exists as another layer of his character, treated with the same casual normalcy as any other romantic subplot in mainstream storytelling. And honestly? That’s a huge win for queer representation.
Of course, romance in a thriller is rarely without complications, and Edward and Adam’s relationship is no exception. When Edward is forced to leave the country to escape the growing threats closing in on him, his relationship with Adam becomes even more complicated. Despite wanting to keep the connection between them alive, Edward can’t afford to let someone get too close. It’s too dangerous, and as much as he refuses to admit it, he cares about Adam enough to keep him at a distance.
Eventually, though, when Edward finds himself truly out of options, he turns to Adam for help, and let’s just say, things take a sharp, gut-punch of a turn. It’s messy, it’s intense, and it had us screaming at the TV. The signs were there all along, but that doesn’t make it any less devastating when it all comes crashing down. But we’re going to leave it at that—you’ll have to watch to see how things play out.
A High-Stakes Thriller That Hits the Mark
With a cast led by Leo Woodall and Quintessa Swindell, Prime Target delivers performances that pull you in and keep you invested. The main characters are layered, their choices shaped by intellect, ambition, and survival, making every interaction feel charged with tension. Their journey is as much about the ethical dilemmas of groundbreaking discoveries as it is about staying one step ahead of the forces hunting them.
Beyond its gripping narrative, the series makes full use of its locations, which feel like another main character in the story. Whether it’s the quiet academic halls of Cambridge or the shadowy backstreets where Edward must evade capture, the settings enhance the show’s atmosphere, grounding its high-concept ideas in a world that feels real and lived-in.
The pacing, while mostly tight and engaging, does waver at times—perhaps a side effect of its weekly release format. Some stretches unfold deliberately, while others pack in rapid twists and turns. But when watched in a single sitting, the story flows more seamlessly, with each revelation stacking onto the next in a way that keeps you hooked.
All in all, Prime Target is a smart and thrilling ride, blending the intellectual rigor of a mathematical puzzle with the adrenaline of a spy drama. It’s a story of discovery, ambition, and the weight of knowledge that could change the world. The show doesn’t just entertain—it raises questions about the ethical boundaries of innovation and the unintended consequences of brilliance.
With its unique mix of mathematics, espionage, and high-stakes thriller elements, Prime Target stands out as a compelling watch. If you’re a fan of sharp dialogue, unexpected twists, and a blend of academic intrigue with action-packed suspense, this show is definitely worth checking out.
All 8 episodes of Prime Target are available to stream exclusively on Apple TV+. Follow us on X and Instagram for all queer stuff!
Featured Image: Image Courtesy of Apple TV+
