‘Bait’ Is A Tremendously Unexpected Showcase For Riz Ahmed
In February 2025, Amazon gained full creative control of the James Bond franchise. Although audiences are still eagerly awaiting what Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will do with the property in the eagerly awaited next film involving the character, actor Riz Ahmed‘s new Prime Video series Bait takes a different angle. It’s a sort of meta-commentary on the cultural weight of the role of James Bond. Bait sees Ahmed playing a British Pakistani actor who is going through the audition process of playing James Bond, only to realize the weight that being involved with such a project would bring into his life.
The six-episode miniseries wastes no time. Bait is a consistently engaging watch all the way, with its engrossing screenwriting touching on everything from online harassment to cultural icons and the importance of staying true to ones roots. Its dynamic direction from Bassam Tariq and Tom George allows it to explore these themes in a snappy manner that creates a full portrait of a man in crisis, given life through Riz Ahmed‘s staggering work.
Bait gives its audience a full narrative
Shah Latif (Riz Ahmed) is a down-on-his-luck actor who gets the opportunity of a lifetime when he is given the opportunity to audition to be the next James Bond/007. However, when the news of his audition leaks online, Latif and his family are opened up to a whole new level of scrutiny.
As Shah navigates the firestorm that comes along with the role, which includes glitz and glamor, yes, but also immense harassment, he begins to lose his grip on personal relationships, his connection to his culture, and also his mind. It’s a wild narrative that involves everything from taxicab businesses to ex-girlfriends and a cut-off pig’s head voiced by Patrick Stewart.
The various scripts, written by Riz Ahmed and a team of five other writers, all portray a different aspect of the weight of the situation Shah Latif finds himself in and do so very well. Yet, never does Bait feel “episodic.” Directors Bassam Tariq and Tom George keep the pace swift, with each exploration of Shah’s loosening grip feeling like it builds on the last.
In other words, whether it’s about a family scuffle or a genuine threat to Shah’s life, Bait keeps a high-tension thriller feeling going all the way through. Throw in a dash of madcap comedy, and you’ve got one of the most watchable series of the 2020s. What I didn’t expect was how throughly emotional the series would be, and that’s all down to Riz Ahmed.
Riz Ahmed drives this miniseries
As an actor, Riz Ahmed is tasked with a feat almost as big as playing 007. He has to be charming, insecure, funny, and awkward—basically, a whole ball of insecurity with potential for greatness. Ahmed shoulders this burden, moving through Bait with tremendous verve that dares the audience to take your eyes off him for even one second. Moreover, Ahmed adds such pathos to his performance, especially when it comes to material regarding honoring his heritage or succumbing to the establishment, that even as ridiculous as the series goes he never feels anything less than genuine.
The supporting cast is outstanding, too. Honorable mention goes to Guz Khan as Shah’s cousin Zufi, who starts off as a comedic character only to become one of the most compelling, at times heartbreaking, characters of the show. Himesh Patel is perfectly snarky as a rival to Shah, whereas Aasiya Shah adds a much-needed spunk as Shah’s relative Q. And who can forget Patrick Stewart, whose voicing of a pig’s head that taunts Latif is a major component of the show’s unique identity.
Final thoughts on Bait
What I truly appreciate about Bait is that it sets its aims high and hits every target. From start to finish, Riz Ahmed‘s brainchild is compelling and freshly unique. The writing, direction, and performances all take the audience on a ride that never sags or bears repeating the same story beats, nor gets lost in the weeds by trying to do too many things. In fact, the final moment is one so well-conceived it gives goosebumps (as well as reaffirms closure) to me every time I think about it. In other words, take the Bait.
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