Bait": Riz Ahmed's Hilarious Audition for James Bond in Prime Video's New Comedy Series
Riz Ahmed takes on a James Bond-inspired role in Prime Video's new comedy series "Bait," which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival and will be available for streaming in March. In the show, Ahmed plays a struggling actor from London whose life takes a turn when his audition to be the next James Bond goes viral. The series delves into the theme of life as an ongoing audition, exploring the quest for validation and approval in a world where public and private selves often collide.
While Ahmed's character aspires to be like James Bond, the actor himself humorously considers his role in "Bait" as his audition for the iconic spy character. With Amazon backing both the series and the upcoming James Bond reboot, Ahmed playfully challenges viewers to watch "Bait" and question his suitability for the role of 007. The new James Bond film, directed by Denis Villeneuve, marks a fresh start for the franchise post-Daniel Craig era, with speculation swirling about the next actor to don the iconic tuxedo.
Despite the Bond references, Ahmed emphasizes that "Bait" is more about the universal desire to be someone else, symbolized by the ultra alpha-male persona of James Bond. The show delves into the relatable theme of wanting to escape one's own reality and become a different, more idealized version of oneself. "Bait" is set to premiere on Prime Video on March 25, offering a comedic take on the pursuit of identity and validation in a world filled with auditions and aspirations.