Prime Video’s The Terminal List: Dark Wolf has stormed onto the streaming scene, leaving audiences hooked and buzzing with excitement. This gritty prequel to the 2022 hit series The Terminal List shifts the spotlight to Taylor Kitsch, who delivers a powerhouse performance as Ben Edwards, a Navy SEAL-turned-CIA operative navigating the murky depths of espionage. Fans are hailing the series as “breathtaking,” “relentless,” and a worthy successor to iconic spy thrillers like Bourne and Homeland. With its pulse-pounding action, morally complex characters, and a haunting lead performance from the True Detective star, Dark Wolf has quickly climbed streaming charts, proving itself a must-watch for thriller enthusiasts.
Set five years before the events of The Terminal List, Dark Wolf dives into the origin story of Ben Edwards, a character who played a pivotal supporting role in the original series. Created by Jack Carr, a former Navy SEAL, and showrunner David DiGilio, the seven-episode series premiered on August 27, 2025, dropping its first three episodes on Prime Video to instant acclaim. The story follows Edwards’ transformation from a decorated SEAL to a morally conflicted CIA operative, exploring the psychological toll of covert operations and the dark underbelly of warfare. Kitsch, known for roles in Friday Night Lights and Lone Survivor, anchors the series with a raw, magnetic intensity, portraying a man torn between duty and his unraveling moral compass.
The series opens in 2015 Mosul, where Edwards, a Chief Special Warfare Operator, is deployed with his SEAL team, including Lieutenant Commander James Reece (Chris Pratt, reprising his role from The Terminal List). A mission to track an ISIS leader goes catastrophically wrong when Edwards makes a split-second decision to kill a CIA asset, a move that’s both justified and reckless. This impulsive act leads to his dishonorable discharge, setting him on a collision course with the CIA’s shadowy Ground Branch. Recruited by the enigmatic Jed Haverford (Robert Wisdom), Edwards joins a multinational team of operatives, including Mossad veteran Eliza Perash (Rona-Lee Shimon), Iraqi officer Mohammed Farooq (Dar Salim), and the imposing Raife Hastings (Tom Hopper). What follows is a high-octane journey through global hotspots, from Austrian nightclubs to Middle Eastern markets, as Edwards grapples with morally gray missions and his own inner demons.
Kitsch’s performance is the heart of Dark Wolf, elevating it beyond typical action fare. His Edwards is a study in contrasts: a battle-hardened warrior with a sensitive streak, quoting poetry one moment and unleashing brutal violence the next. Fans have praised Kitsch’s ability to convey Edwards’ haunted psyche, with one X post calling him “the perfect anti-hero—tough, broken, and impossible to look away from.” His training under real Navy SEALs, including Ray Mendoza, lends authenticity to his tactical movements and world-weary demeanor. Kitsch’s physical transformation—bulked-up yet visibly worn—mirrors Edwards’ descent into a world where loyalty is a luxury and betrayal is a constant threat.
The ensemble cast is a standout, adding depth to the series’ relentless pace. Tom Hopper, known from The Umbrella Academy, brings a towering presence as Raife Hastings, a SEAL with ties to Rhodesian military history, whose loyalty to Edwards is tested by their diverging paths. Rona-Lee Shimon and Shiraz Tzarfati shine as fierce Mossad operatives, with Tzarfati’s close-quarters combat scene in a claustrophobic setting earning praise as the series’ most memorable action sequence. Chris Pratt, though in a supporting role, delivers gravitas as James Reece, whose brotherhood with Edwards anchors the emotional stakes. Robert Wisdom’s Jed Haverford is a chilling spymaster, his calm demeanor masking ruthless ambition, while Luke Hemsworth and Dar Salim round out the team with layered performances.
The series’ action sequences are a major draw, rivaling the intensity of Bourne or Mission: Impossible. From a nightclub shootout in Austria to a tense market chase, the choreography is crisp, visceral, and grounded in military realism. Fans have lauded the authenticity, with one Google review raving, “Every scene is peak action, and the SEAL tactics feel like you’re watching real operators.” The production, filmed across global locations, boasts high production values, with practical effects and minimal CGI enhancing the gritty aesthetic. A nod to The Third Man in one episode’s set design adds a clever layer of espionage homage, delighting eagle-eyed viewers.
What sets Dark Wolf apart from its predecessor is its focus on moral ambiguity. While The Terminal List centered on James Reece’s clear-cut revenge mission, Dark Wolf dives into the ethical quagmire of CIA black ops. Edwards’ mantra, “Long live the brotherhood,” rings hollow as he navigates a world where allies can become enemies overnight. The series doesn’t shy away from the human cost of warfare, depicting the psychological strain on operatives and their families. This thematic depth has drawn comparisons to Homeland, with fans on Reddit praising the show’s ability to balance “heart-pounding action with moments that make you question who the real bad guys are.”
Social media is ablaze with fan reactions, with Dark Wolf hitting number two on Prime Video’s streaming charts within days of its debut. Viewers have called it “addictive” and “unforgettable,” with one X user declaring, “This is what spy thrillers should be—gritty, smart, and relentless.” The weekly release schedule, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday until September 24, has kept the buzz alive, fueling discussions about Edwards’ fate and how it ties to The Terminal List’s shocking twist, where he’s revealed as a betrayer. While some critics note the narrative occasionally sacrifices clarity for action, the consensus is that Kitsch’s star turn and the ensemble’s chemistry make it a compulsive binge.
The series’ authenticity is a point of pride, with military veterans involved as writers, actors, and advisors. Jack Carr’s background as a SEAL ensures accurate portrayals of tactics and mindset, while Kitsch’s collaboration with advisors like Mendoza adds credibility to his performance. This commitment to realism resonates with fans, particularly those who enjoy shows like SEAL Team or Jack Ryan. However, Dark Wolf isn’t without flaws. Some viewers find the pacing uneven, with the first two episodes feeling slightly disjointed before the narrative finds its rhythm. Others argue it leans too heavily on action at the expense of deeper character exploration, though Kitsch’s nuanced performance mitigates this.
The series also sets the stage for The Terminal List’s second season, still in development, by introducing characters who will appear in the main series’ continuation. This interconnected storytelling has fans theorizing about how Edwards’ choices in Dark Wolf will ripple into Reece’s future. The inclusion of female operatives like Eliza and Tal, who hold their own in a male-dominated world, has been a highlight, with fans praising their well-written roles. “The women in this show steal scenes left and right,” one viewer tweeted, reflecting the series’ effort to balance its testosterone-heavy roots.
As Dark Wolf unfolds, it’s clear Prime Video has a hit on its hands. The series combines the best elements of its predecessor—high-stakes action, brotherhood, and betrayal—with a fresh focus on espionage and moral complexity. Kitsch’s transformation into a haunted, ruthless operative is the beating heart of the show, earning him long-overdue recognition as an action star. Fans are already clamoring for more, with one X post summing it up: “Taylor Kitsch is carrying Dark Wolf like a boss. This is the spy drama we didn’t know we needed.”
With its explosive set pieces, stellar cast, and a lead performance that’s both tactical and deeply human, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is redefining the espionage genre. Whether you’re a fan of the original series or a newcomer drawn to intense thrillers, this prequel delivers a relentless, addictive ride that’s glued viewers to their screens. As Edwards’ journey darkens, one thing is certain: this wolf is just getting started.
