"Prime Target," an exhilarating eight-episode thriller debuting on Apple TV+ on Wednesday, pulsates with the allure of an airport novel you'd devour in a single flight. It boasts an outlandishly captivating premise, adorned with a cast of drop-dead gorgeous characters, and concludes each episode with a breathtaking cliffhanger.
After an opening sequence in Baghdad where a gas explosion unearths an ancient relic, the narrative shifts to the hallowed halls of the University of Cambridge in England. Here, we encounter Edward Brooks, a brilliant young mathematician portrayed by Leo Woodall. Despite his chiseled good looks that would make him a hit at any college bash, Edward is a reclusive soul who spends his days scribbling in his notebook, engrossed in a theorem involving prime numbers. (Computers are beneath him; his work is too sophisticated for such mundane gadgets.) When his professor (David Morrissey) catches wind of the puzzle Edward is tackling, panic ensues: essentially, it's a formula capable of unlocking any digital lock anywhere. Oops indeed.
Edward's groundbreaking research lands him squarely in the crosshairs of the U.S. National Security Agency, which has been keeping tabs on top-tier mathematicians in case they stumble upon the next big weapon. Fortunately for Edward, he finds an ally in Taylah (Quintessa Swindell), a rebellious agent.
"Prime Target" doesn't overexert itself in explaining Edward's equations, and quite rightly so. They'd sail over my head too. Instead, it offers a globe-spanning adventure where Edward and Taylah are perpetually on the lam from assassins hot on their trail due to Edward's mathematical prowess.
Ultimately, realism isn't "Prime Target's" forte. Woodall, who stole hearts as charming cads in Season 2 of "The White Lotus" and Netflix's "One Day," isn't the first person you'd picture as a shy, conflict-averse mathematician. Nevertheless, he brings a charming sheepishness that suits the role splendidly. Meanwhile, Swindell, strutting around in leather jackets, baggy jeans, and motorcycle boots, embodies a cool surveillance expert. Her character's tragic backstory remains sketchy, but her fashion sense is nothing short of fabulous.
All these elements coalesce into a show about intelligent individuals that still lets you relax your mind and enjoy the ride.
