Riz Ahmed has clarified that his upcoming series, Bait, is not a James Bond show, despite its connection to the iconic franchise. During a panel discussion at the Deadline Studio at Sundance, Ahmed emphasized that while the series explores the contrasts between public perception and personal reality, it does not directly stem from the Bond universe.
The show follows the journey of Shah Latif, a struggling actor who lands what he believes to be the role of a lifetime. His life rapidly unravels over the course of four intense days. Ahmed, who serves as the creator and co-showrunner alongside Ben Karlin, delved into the thematic underpinnings of the series, highlighting the dichotomy between how individuals are perceived and their actual circumstances.
In his words, “I started making notes in my little notepad 10 years ago now, about that crazy distance between our public and our private selves.” He described the societal expectations that often accompany success, stating, “On the outside, it’s like, ‘Wow, you’re killing it man. You’re doing great!’ And the waiter comes up, it’s time to tip. ‘Oh, they think I’m really successful right now, I gotta send a big tip.’ You’re broke.”
These observations resonate throughout the storyline of Bait, which Ahmed describes as a reflection of personal experiences and anecdotes shared during discussions with Karlin. The connection to James Bond arose naturally during their conversations, with Ahmed noting that Bond represents an aspirational ideal. He remarked, “Actually, that’s the perfect aspirational symbol that can help drive the story of someone who aspires to be someone else.”
Despite the initial Bond discussion, Ahmed confirmed that the show’s essence is distinct. In a notable exchange with Barbara Broccoli, the long-time producer of the Bond franchise, Ahmed received her endorsement for the project. He shared, “She understood that and understood the show’s not really about that. And yet, gave her blessing; she really loved the script.”
The series is set to be distributed by Amazon and MGM Studios, marking an exciting venture for Ahmed and his team. The full conversation from the panel can be viewed in the video above.
As anticipation builds for the premiere of Bait, Ahmed’s insightful reflections on the series and its themes promise to resonate with audiences looking for a deeper exploration of identity and aspiration in the entertainment industry.
