This New Thriller Is Basically Apple TV+'s Version Of Sherlock With A Big Connection To The Cumberbatch Show
Prime Target, the new brainy thriller series starring Leo Woodall, appears to be Apple TV+'s take on BBC's classic, Sherlock. Following the two-episode premiere of Prime Target on January 22, 2025, the new series already feels like it's taking inspiration from the beloved Benedict Cumberbatch's beloved project, which has spanned just 15 episodes across four seasons from 2010 to 2017. Sherlock is often considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time and has won nine Emmys.
Sherlock co-creator Steven Moffat has recently confirmed his interest in making a highly-anticipated season 5. While there's been no official word on that front, the iconic and heady style of Sherlock has been emulated by several shows that have attempted to repeat its success, such as the CBS Sherlock Holmes series Elementary (2012-2019). While Prime Target also draws comparisons to classics such as A Beautiful Mind (2001) and The Imitation Game (2014), it's hard not to see the tonal and narrative similarities to BBC's Sherlock.
How Prime Target Works As Apple TV+'s Sherlock
Edward Brooks is an unparalleled genius with little social regard
Although Prime Target is more of an academic thriller than a true detective story, there is a mystery and a greater conspiracy to unravel at the heart of it. Since the protagonist, Woodall's Edward Brooks of Cambridge University is an unparalleled genius who is also less than great in social situations, he immediately draws a likeness to Cumberbatch's version of Holmes.
The audience sees Brooks figuring out equations and envisioning theorems in a way that feels a bit evocative of Sherlock's detection.
Brooks is often so consumed by the math problems in front of him that he doesn't really see or have time for anything else. This is reminiscent of Sherlock with his cases. The audience sees Brooks figuring out equations and envisioning theorems in a way that feels a bit evocative of Sherlock's detection.
Perhaps the biggest reason for the connections and similarities between Edward Brooks and Sherlock Holmes is that Prime Target's creator, Steve Thompson, wrote three episodes of Sherlock. Thompson has a knack and proven track record for these scholarly types of protagonists and series. Apart from Sherlock, Thompson has written episodes of the Sigmund Freud-era period piece Vienna Blood (2019 - ), the biographical Leonardo da Vinci series Leonardo (2021), and the celebrated sci-fi epic series Doctor Who.
Will There Ever Be More Of Sherlock?
Sherlock's co-creator have expressed recent interest
Although it's been more than eight years since season 4 ended, there has been little movement for a potential Sherlock season 5. Cumberbatch recently disclosed facetiously to Variety that it would take "a lot of money:" for him to return. Subsequently, he answered the question more earnestly, saying:
“It would take it to be better than it ever was. You leave them or yourselves wanting more. There’s always that itch to scratch, but I think it would have to be the superlative version of what we’ve already achieved.”
That being said, a Sherlock season 5 or even a feature film is not entirely out of the question. Moffat and Sherlock co-creator expressed interest in moving forward with another Sherlock chapter as either a movie or a new season. The problem appears to be navigating the limited availability of Cumberbatch and co-star Martin Freeman. Until then, Sherlock derivative series like Prime Target will have to suffice.
Source: Variety
Prime Target
- Release Date
- January 22, 2025
Cast
Leo WoodallEdward Brooks
Quintessa SwindellTaylah Sanders
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.
- Creator(s)
- Steve Thompson
- Streaming Service(s)
- AppleTV+
- Where To Watch
- Apple TV+
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