Apple TV+'s Leo Woodall of The White Lotus and One Day fame, Prime Target surprisingly has a relatively low Rotten Tomatoes critics' score of 41%. Interestingly, however, its audience score of 71% on the same platform seems way less divisive, suggesting that it deserves a chance.

Apart from its audience score, another good reason to watch Prime Target is that it seems reminiscent of one of Prime Target's episodes 1 and 2 establish, its narrative adopts many original elements that have probably never been explored in other TV shows and movies. However, some of the aspects of its story are similar to a high-budget Netflix sci-fi show, giving audiences a solid reason to check it out.

How Prime Target Is Similar To Netflix's 3 Body Problem

Both Shows Have Similar Story Setups

In both Netlix's 3 Body Problem and Apple TV+'s Prime Target, mathematicians/scientists are secretly watched by shadowy organizations. As both progress, academicians also suddenly start getting mysteriously murdered because they dive too deep into forbidden research. The two series also introduce myriad numerical theories and scientific gobbledygook, combining fantasy with realism. Despite exploring many complex ideas and being high-concept shows, 3 Body Problem and Prime Target also ensure that their narratives can be followed by most viewers.

Related
Prime Target Cast & Character Guide

Prime Target not only grips viewers with its thrilling mysteries but also keeps them engaged with its well-written characters and cast performances.

Prime Target is more grounded in realism compared to 3 Body Problem because it does not involve supernatural or extraterrestrial elements. Even when it comes to its portrayal of technology, Prime Target keeps a more realistic and believable approach, primarily relying on devices that could exist in the real world. However, both shows creatively ground their stories in physics and math and manage to turn otherwise jarring scientific concepts into something more thrilling.

Prime Target Is A Good Alternative To Apple TV+'s Sci-Fi Shows

It Unfolds Like A Typical Puzzlebox Thriller

Apple TV+ arguably has one of the best catalogs of sci-fi shows in the streaming space. While some of its better-known Apple TV+'s sci-fi shows, it presents a puzzle box of fascinating mysteries to viewers in its early moments and prompts them to theorize and speculate.

Prime Target's Cast & Characters

Actor

Role

Leo Woodall

Edward Brooks

Quintessa Swindell

Taylah Sanders

Sidse Babett Knudsen

Professor Andrea Lavin

David Morrissey

Professor Robert Mallinder

Fra Fee

Adam Mellow

Stephen Rea

Professor James Alderman

Joseph Mydell

Professor Raymond Osborne

Tom Stourton

Ricky Olson

Sofia Barclay

Sufiya Zamil

While only time will tell whether it will receive the same reception as Silo, Severance, and Dark Matter, Prime Target is a detail-oriented show like most other sci-fi series on the streamer. It rewards viewers for paying attention and promises to leave them with a lesson or two about real scientific and mathematical theories. Owing to its narrative and thematic similarities with Netflix's 3 Body Problem and Apple TV+'s other sci-fi shows, Prime Target deserves to be on the watchlist of viewers who enjoy thought-provoking action thrillers.

  • Prime Target official poster
    Prime Target
    Release Date
    January 22, 2025

    Prime Target follows Edward Brooks, a brilliant mathematician, in his pursuit of a prime number breakthrough that could blow open the door to international cybersecurity. Teamed with NSA agent Taylah Sanders, he confronts a hidden conspiracy threatening his discovery and life.

    Cast
    Leo Woodall, Quintessa Swindell, Stephen Rea, David Morrissey, Martha Plimpton, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Jason Flemyng, Harry Lloyd, Ali Suliman, Fra Fee, Joseph Mydell
    Creator(s)
    Steve Thompson
    Where To Watch
    Apple TV+
  • 3 Body Problem Netflix Show Poster Featuring a Close-Up of an Eyeball with the release date 3-21-24 on the Pupil

    Your Rating

    3 Body Problem
    Release Date
    March 21, 2024
    Directors
    Minkie Spiro, Derek Tsang
    Writers
    David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo
    • Headshot Of Jovan Adepo
      Jovan Adepo
    • Headshot Of Liam Cunningham In The Entertainment Weekly Pre-SAG
      Liam Cunningham

    WHERE TO WATCH

    Streaming

    3 Body Problem is a Netflix original series from Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with Alexander Woo. Based on the novel of the same name by Liu Cixin, 3 Body Problem centers on a detective who s forces with a group of scientists after an unknown force begins killing scientists around the world.

    Creator(s)
    David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo
    Where To Watch
    Netflix