The protagonist of Apple TV+‘sPrime Target, Edward Brooks, is obsessive about his work with prime numbers and puts it over interpersonal relationships without remorse. There is a good reason for this, as he believes he is on the verge of an unprecedented discovery that will open any computer on Earth, but it certainly doesn’t make him very likable at first. And though actor Leo Woodall has plenty of experience with unfriendly characters in projects such asThe White Lotusand Netflix’sOne Day, he found Prime Target to be challenging on a whole new level — preventing him from even smiling at others when he wanted to.
Another interesting challenge for his character is that his work is being watched by the government, embodied by NSA agent Taylah Sanders (Quintessa Swindell,Black Adam). The uncomfortable surveillance becomes a boon when Taylah fears Edward is being targeted by a mysterious and dangerous entity. Together, they embark on an adventure that will call for one’s mathematical prowess (and the potential ability to unlock any computer) and the other’s super spy skills to survive.Prime Targetalso stars Martha Plimpton, Stephen Rea, David Morrissey, and Sidse Babett Knudsen.
Prime Target Trailer Reveals Ridley Scott-Produced International Spy Show
The Prime Target trailer reveals Apple TV’s international spy show produced by Ridley Scott and featuring The White Lotus star Leo Woodall.
Prior toPrime Target’s premiere on January 22,ScreenRantinterviewed Woodall and Swindell about thenew Apple TV+ thriller series. Woodall explained the high-concept math involved in the project, while Swindell revealed what made Taylah stand out as a non-stereotypical character, and the duo discussed how well they got along on set. Finally, Woodall shared what fans can expect from his upcoming movie,Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
Prime Target Stars Share How They Stepped Into Their Mysterious & Math-Heavy Characters
“There were a lot of times where I wanted to just smile at people, and I wasn’t allowed.”
ScreenRant: Leo, how did you prepare to embody somebody so different from yourself?
Leo Woodall: For a lot of it, I had the preparation period of getting familiar with the math itself and spending time with our genius math consultant. That was one part of it.
I think I had to mentally start [preparing] because I’m someone who is friendly and thinks I’m decent with people, and he is not like that. He doesn’t care. He’s not doing niceties. For me, it was just mentally preparing for that, and it was hard. There were a lot of times where I wanted to just smile at people, and I wasn’t allowed.
ScreenRant: Quintessa Taylah is a surveillance agent tasked with monitoring mathematicians. What drew you to this strong-willed, mysterious character?
Quintessa Swindell: Exactly that, to be honest with you. It was something different than what I had done in the past, and I think I was really adamant about trying to find a story that didn’t deal with a young girl and her boyfriend or something very stereotypical but rather expanded on the identity and capability of a young woman. And so, this just kind of perfectly fit there.
She does stunts; she rides a motorcycle. She isn’t afraid of being physically active or reactive. For me, that was something that was really exciting.
“How do you engage with that energy type?”
ScreenRant: Leo, you mentioned taking math classes as a part of your preparation. Did anything about that experience surprise you or influence your understanding of Edward’s world?
Leo Woodall: Yeah, without having to understand the math to that level, our consultant did paint the picture quite well as to basically how the key works. The whole point of the story is that he’s getting close to holding the key to every computer in the world, and understanding that the key is made up of prime numbers at the length of a children’s book.
It’s so long that no one could ever possibly guess it unless you have a formula. This prime finder, as he calls it, basically is that. It does the calculation for you and, bang, you’ve unlocked whatever you need to unlock. That, for me, was essential to understand.
ScreenRant: Quintessa, Taylah and Edward couldn’t be more different, yet their partnership is essential. What was it like exploring that dynamic with Leo on set?
Quintessa Swindell: Oh, it was great. “You f–king suck!” [Laughs] No, it’s always funny getting asked that type of question, because it’s like, “Damn, bro, imagine.”
But it’s fun. Like he said, it is probably difficult playing a character that’s very dissociative in a way. But for me and the character I played, it’s fun because you get to play around with that energy type, and how do you engage with that energy type? Maybe even for the real world, s–t! But it was cool. It was fun.
At the end of the day, we’re just having fun and trying out different things, so you never know. It’s great!
“This one really also packs a punch…”
ScreenRant: Leo, pretty soon you’ll be starring in another Bridget Jones film,Mad About the Boy. This marks Bridget Jones’ first time back on screen in nine years. What can fans of that franchise expect from that film?
Leo Woodall: A lot of the same, in terms of it having its joyous, funny, quirky Bridget. But this one really also packs a punch because she’s going through grief, and she does it so beautifully. And whilst being a cozy, funny sort of rom-com, it’s also incredibly heartfelt and very moving.
More About Prime Target Season 1
Prime Target features a brilliant young math postgraduate, Edward Brooks (played by Woodall), who is on the verge of a major breakthrough. If he succeeds in finding a pattern in prime numbers, he will hold the key to every computer in the world. Soon, he begins to realize an unseen enemy is trying to destroy his idea before it’s even born, which throws him into the orbit of Taylah Sanders, a female NSA agent (played by Swindell) who’s been tasked with watching and reporting on mathematicians’ behavior. Together, they start to unravel the troubling conspiracy Edward is at the heart of.
Prime Target
Cast
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.
