The Emmy-nominated actor breaks down his 10-year journey on bringing Prime Video's “Bait” to the screen.
By Jazz Tangcay
Plus IconJazz Tangcay
Artisans Editor
@jazzt See All
Riz Ahmed spent 10 years bringing “Bait” to life. Part of that journey was driven by fear: “It’s a very scary project to make because it’s so personal,” he says. Some of the delay, he reflects, came from finding excuses or sabotaging the process because it felt so exposing. “Bait” is indeed Ahmed’s most vulnerable work to date.
In the six-part Prime Video series, Ahmed is executive producer, creator, writer and stars as Shah Latif, a struggling actor from London who is seen leaving an audition for James Bond. Shah becomes a viral sensation, but the show itself takes a satirical look at an actor who blows a life-changing audition while exploring themes of family, community, mental health, and Shah’s desire to succeed. That vulnerable performance earned Ahmed an Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie.
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