Prime Video’s latest original TV series is a new comedy-drama from Riz Ahmed, and the streaming service's fresh arrival just might be one of the most interesting new releases I've watched so far this year.
- Rating: 4/5 stars
- Verdict: "Bait" is a genre-hopping, propulsive comedy-drama that pulls viewers along on a gripping, twisting rollercoaster ride alongside a struggling actor whose life is quickly spiraling out of control, and it's not to be missed.
- Premiere date/time: Available to stream now
- Where to watch: Prime Video
This is “Bait,” an electric comedy-drama created by (and starring) the Oscar and Emmy-winning performer and musician. I had the chance to stream all six episodes of this new comedy-drama in advance of their release today (Wednesday, March 25), and I’m pleased to report it’s a winning watch.
Playing at times as a frenetic comedy, a spy thriller, romantic comedy, or family drama, “Bait” is a rich, brief odyssey alongside a struggling actor whose life could well be about to change forever. It’s a show that you could easily binge in a single sitting, and I’d definitely recommend checking it out; you can find out why below.
What is ‘Bait’ about?
“Bait” revolves around a struggling London-based actor on the cusp of his big break. Shah Latif’s (Ahmed) last chance at stardom comes in the form of an audition for the role of a lifetime: He’s landed the chance to screen test to be the next James Bond.
When news gets out that he’s in contention for one of the most iconic big-screen roles, his life quickly unravels. Playing out across four crazy days, “Bait” shows how everything spirals out of control, and his family, former lover, and the rest of the world offer their opinion on whether Shah’s actually the right man to put on the tux.
In addition to Riz Ahmed, “Bait” also features Guz Khan, Sheeba Chaddha, Sajid Hasan, Aasiya Shah, Weruche Opia, Ritu Arya, Himesh Patel, Rafe Spall, and Nabhaan Rizwan.
‘Bait’ is an engrossing, layered streaming series you won't want to miss
What I think is quite so impressive about “Bait” is just how much this show packs into its brief run. As mentioned, this is a brief, thoroughly bingeable dramedy that clocks in at under three hours’ worth of television, but those three hours are very rewarding.
“Bait” tells a gripping, intense narrative about one British-Pakistani actor suddenly being catapulted into the public eye (and the many pressures that can bring), frequently switching genres, wrong-footing the viewer with twists and surreal moments, and introducing us to more of Latif’s memorable friends and loved ones. And yes, while the show probably didn't have access to the kind of budget that's necessary to make a big-screen Bond adventure, there’s still some spy thriller antics and the odd bit of action squeezed in between the laughs and the drama, too.
I was genuinely disappointed when I rolled credits on the finale; not because I felt the show didn’t end in a satisfying way — it does — but because I’d have happily continued to stay on this wild ride for a lot longer, even if I concede that the snappy pacing suits the show’s mounting, overwhelming vibe nicely, too. Given where things end, it definitely feels like a one-and-done miniseries, but Ahmed and the team have another chapter in mind. I’d definitely tune in.
There are a lot of impressive creative choices deployed across the show's run, but if I had to single one aspect out, it'd be the camera work. The decision to shoot a lot of the sequences handheld is a smart one, serving both to amplify Latif’s position in the limelight and to amplify the claustrophobic mood. Likewise, the surreal, dreamy sequences are rendered in suitably overblown, "cinematic" fashion.
Of course, even with all that personality on display, “Bait” wouldn’t have worked without a strong performer at its heart, but you can rest assured that Ahmed is more than game for the show’s many challenges. He portrays the strain Latif’s under brilliantly but also gets to flex his comedic muscles, too. It's truly an excellent turn.
The rest of the cast are great, too. Comedian Guz Khan is a riot as Zulfi, as is Sir Patrick Stewart as Shah’s confidant/critic, and the disembodied voice of a pig’s head (don’t ask)), but “Bait” is firmly Ahmed’s show, and he owns it. All in all, “Bait” is a layered, vulnerable, and thoroughly entertaining new series, and I’d definitely recommend giving it a go now that the series is available to stream on Prime Video.
Stream “Bait” on Prime Video now
