Home / Arts and Entertainment / Riz Ahmed's 'Bait': Bond Audition Fallout Explored
Riz Ahmed's 'Bait': Bond Audition Fallout Explored
30 Jan
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, 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.
