If you think Apple Tv+’ streaming slate starts and ends with Severance and Slow Horses, think again. The platform hides a trove of high‑stakes dramas bursting with moral conflict, whip‑smart twists, and scene‑stealing performances.
We’ve hand‑picked four underrated thriller series on Apple TV+ that deserve top billing in your queue. Each title blends a unique premise with complex characters—perfect for fans craving cerebral thrills over generic jump scares.
Read on for the full rundown, why each show stands out, and how they collectively prove that underrated thriller series on Apple TV+ just might be the service’s best‑kept secret.
1. Prime Target — A Math Whiz vs. Global Chaos
Logline:
When Cambridge postgraduate Edward Brooks (Leo Woodall) uncovers a hidden pattern in prime numbers that could topple digital security systems, his discovery triggers interest from shadowy intelligence agencies. Partnering with sharp‑witted NSA analyst Taylah Sanders (Quintessa Swindell), Edward races across continents to stop a looming cyber‑catastrophe.
Why It’s a Must‑Watch
- Intellectual Stakes: Instead of bullets, the tension revolves around cryptography, making every equation feel deadly.
- Chemistry: Woodall and Swindell’s uneasy alliance morphs into genuine camaraderie without forced romance.
- Real‑World Relevance: In an age of quantum hacking fears, the plot feels eerily plausible.
With only eight tightly plotted episodes, Prime Target sets the benchmark for underrated thriller series on Apple TV+ that mix brains with breakneck pacing.
2. Manhunt — History’s Most Tense Cat‑and‑Mouse Chase
Premise:
Based on James L. Swanson’s non‑fiction bestseller, Manhunt dramatizes the 12‑day pursuit of John Wilkes Booth after President Lincoln’s assassination. Tobias Menzies embodies Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, whose obsession with justice collides with post‑Civil War politics.
Why It’s a Must‑Watch
- Historical Accuracy Meets Thriller Beats: The series honours primary sources while delivering edge‑of‑your‑seat momentum.
- Layered Antagonist: Anthony Boyle’s Booth is zealot, performer, and fugitive rolled into one magnetic villain.
- Topical Resonance: Themes of national division and misinformation echo today’s headlines.
If you crave period pieces drenched in suspense, this is the quintessential underrated thriller series on Apple TV+ you’ve probably overlooked.
3. Hijack — Real‑Time Terror at 30,000 Feet
Setup:
Corporate negotiator Sam Nelson (Idris Elba) boards Flight KA29 expecting a seven‑hour trip—until gun‑wielding hijackers seize control. Told in real time over seven episodes, Sam mediates between captors and passengers while counter‑terror expert Zahra Gahfoor (Archie Panjabi) scrambles on the ground.
What Makes It Stand Out
- Real‑Time Format: Each 60‑minute chapter equals 60 minutes on board, mirroring 24’s ticking‑clock adrenaline.
- Moral Ambiguity: Sam’s corporate deal‑making tactics blur ethical lines—especially when lives hang in the balance.
- Season 2 Hype: Apple confirmed a follow‑up that shifts the action to a bullet‑train, promising fresh claustrophobia.
For sheer tension, few underrated thriller shows on Apple TV+ match Hijack’s pulse rate.
4. Sugar — Neo‑Noir With a Modern Bite
Synopsis:
Colin Farrell slips into trench‑coat mode as enigmatic PI John Sugar. Hired by legendary producer Jonathan Siegel (James Cromwell) to find a missing granddaughter, Sugar dives into Hollywood’s seedy underbelly and the Siegel clan’s skeleton‑stuffed closets.
Why You’ll Binge It Fast
- Eight‑Episode Sweet Spot: Tight pacing means zero filler; perfect for a single weekend.
- Noir Homage Done Right: Venetian blinds, voice‑over, and moral grey areas get polished with 2020s sensibilities.
- Complex Characters: Sugar’s own past unspools slowly, questioning whether he’s saviour or sin‑eater.
Fans of Chinatown‑style mysteries will find this an essential entry in the roster of underrated thriller series on Apple TV+.
How to Prioritize Your Watch‑List
- Time Crunch? Start with Sugar—its eight parts fly by.
- Need a History Fix? Queue Manhunt next; its period detail rewards attentive viewing.
- Adrenaline Junkie? Dive into Hijack third to keep your heart racing.
- Brain‑Teaser Mood? Save Prime Target for when you can pause to ponder cryptic math puzzles.
Following this order balances mood swings while sampling the full spectrum of underrated thriller shows on Apple TV+.
Final Take: Don’t Sleep on These Hidden Gems
Apple’s marketing machine often spotlights star‑studded docuseries or flagship sci‑fi epics. Yet beneath the headlines lies a quartet of thrillers that rival anything on HBO or Netflix for tension, character depth, and rewatch value. Underrated thriller series on Apple TV+ may not dominate social media chatter—yet—but they offer some of the richest, most binge‑worthy storytelling in streaming.
