What is Riz Ahmed's new series "Bait" about?

Riz Ahmed's new series "Bait" is about a struggling actor named Shah Latif whose life unravels after an audition for the James Bond role, exploring the resulting public and private chaos from an immigrant perspective.

When and where can I watch "Bait"?

"Bait" premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video starting March 25.

What is the inspiration behind Riz Ahmed's "Bait"?

The series "Bait" is inspired by the idea of an actor's life imploding after a high-profile audition for James Bond, with Riz Ahmed aiming to explore the messiness of the psyche and internal conflicts.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Riz Ahmed's 'Bait': Bond Audition Fallout Explored

Riz Ahmed's 'Bait': Bond Audition Fallout Explored

30 Jan

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Summary

Riz Ahmed stars as an actor whose life unravels after a Bond audition.
The series satirizes the industry from an immigrant perspective.
'Bait' premiered at Sundance and streams March 25 on Amazon Prime.

Riz Ahmed's 'Bait': Bond Audition Fallout Explored

Riz Ahmed, known for his Oscar-nominated roles, stars in and created the new Amazon series "Bait." The show follows Shah Latif, an actor who experiences a dramatic unraveling after a highly publicized audition for the role of James Bond. This fictional scenario explores the intense pressure and paranoia that can accompany such high-stakes opportunities.

The series, which debuted at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, is described as an industry and cultural satire. Ahmed, collaborating again with "Mogul Mowgli" director Bassam Tariq, utilizes his and co-star Guz Khan's immigrant experiences to offer a distinct perspective. The show is set to stream on Amazon Prime Video starting March 25.

Ahmed himself joked about the show being a subtle hint to franchise head Barbara Broccoli, despite never actually auditioning for the iconic role. He stated the series is about a character who desires to be perceived as confident and decisive, like Bond, while his personal life is in disarray. "Bait" aims to explore this internal conflict and the messiness of the psyche.