Bait cast: Who stars alongside Riz Ahmed?

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*Warning: This article contains spoilers for Bait.*

Riz Ahmed is well-known for his work in films like Rogue One, Four Lions, and The Night Of, but his next project, Bait, will be a particularly interesting one, as he’s taking on a role that plays with the idea of acting itself.

The new Prime Video comedy series features Ahmed as Shah Latif, an actor whose life changes when a single audition unexpectedly goes viral. The world starts debating whether he has what it takes to play James Bond, turning his simple audition into a global sensation.

Although Ahmed isn’t taking on the role of James Bond, he explains the show is really about the huge gap between how we present ourselves to the world and who we truly are, as he shared in a Deadline interview.

Ahmed doesn’t just star in this series – he also created it! You’ll also see familiar faces like Guz Khan (from Man Like Mobeen) and Weruche Opia (I May Destroy You). Want to know the rest of the cast? Keep reading to find out who else appears in Bait.

Bait cast: Who stars alongside Riz Ahmed?

Here’s a complete list of the actors in Bait. Keep reading to learn about their characters and where else you might recognize them.

  • Riz Ahmed as Shah Latif
  • Guz Khan as Zulfi
  • Sheeba Chaddha as Tahira
  • Sajid Hasan as Parvez
  • Aasiya Shah as Q
  • Weruche Opia as Felicia
  • Ritu Arya as Yasmin
  • Himesh Patel as Raj Thakar
  • Rafe Spall as Nigel
  • Sian Clifford as Vivien
  • Patrick Stewart as talking pig’s head

Riz Ahmed as Shah Latif

Shah is an actor who’s having a hard time making it big. He’s frequently mistaken for Dev Patel, but gets a life-changing opportunity when he’s called in to audition for the role of James Bond. Unfortunately, the audition doesn’t go well. Desperate to salvage the situation, he tries to create a buzz by getting paparazzi photos of himself leaving the studio, hoping to spark public interest in him as the next 007. This plan backfires, and his life quickly spirals into a chaotic, public spectacle, forcing him to confront the difference between his carefully constructed image and his true self.

You might recognize Riz Ahmed from a lot of different projects! He’s an actor and also a rapper. On TV, he’s well-known for his roles in shows like The Night Of, The OA, and Girls. On the big screen, he’s appeared in films such as Nightcrawler, Rogue One, Sound of Metal, Hamlet, and Mogul Mowgli.

Guz Khan as Zulfi

Zulfi is Shah’s cousin, but they grew up as close as brothers – they argue a lot, which shows how comfortable they are with each other. He created the taxi app Muba and is very involved in his local community. He also helps Shah stay practical and down-to-earth.

You might recognize Guz Khan from shows like Man Like Mobeen, Our Flag Means Death, and Stuffed. He’s also been a guest on panel shows such as Taskmaster, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Celebrity Gogglebox, and Have I Got News For You, often appearing as himself.

Sheeba Chaddha as Tahira

Tahira is Shah’s mother, and she loves him very much. She wishes he would visit more often, but she still cares for him deeply.

Chaddha describes the character as embodying the classic traits of an Asian mother – very energetic, always watchful, and deeply devoted to her family and home, according to a statement about the show.

You might recognize Sheeba Chaddha from films like Badhaai Do and Doctor G, as well as her work in Indian stage and television productions. She recently appeared in Hamlet with Ahmed.

Sajid Hasan as Parvez

Parvez is Shah’s father, and he’s very proud of his son, even though Shah often stays home and watches TV. Hasan describes Parvez as having strong common sense, being very funny, and finding humor even in difficult situations, saying that’s a quality we all share.

Okay, so I was racking my brain – where do I know Sajid Hasan from? Turns out, he’s been in a ton of Pakistani shows, but he’s super recognizable for his role in Dhoop Kinare. That’s where I definitely remember him!

Weruche Opia as Felicia

Felicia is Shah’s agent and helped him land the audition for the Bond role. She’s determined to see him succeed and consistently tries to guide him, though her advice doesn’t always work out as intended.

I immediately recognized Weruche Opia! She’s amazing in so many things, but I think most people know her from her incredible, BAFTA-nominated work in I May Destroy You. She’s also been in Top Boy, High Desert, Bad Education, and The Jetty – she’s a really versatile actress!

Ritu Arya as Yasmin

Yasmin is Shah’s former girlfriend and works as a journalist. She’s publicly criticized the idea of casting someone like Shah – a brown man – in a role traditionally held by white actors, like James Bond. Despite their breakup, it’s obvious they still have complicated feelings for each other.

You might recognize Ritu Arya from shows like Doctors, Humans, and The Umbrella Academy, as well as the movie Paris Has Fallen. She’s also going to be the lead in a new BBC drama called The Split Up.

Himesh Patel as Raj Thakar

Raj Thakar is Shah’s main rival, and a strong contender to become the next James Bond. It’s obvious he doesn’t want to be friends with Shah.

You might recognize Himesh Patel from his early role on EastEnders, but he’s become well-known for starring in popular films and shows like Yesterday, Tenet, Station Eleven, and Don’t Look Up. He’s also appeared in projects like The Franchise, Motherland, Black Mirror, and The Assessment.

Rafe Spall as Nigel

Nigel is the leader of a security firm Shah hires after his family home is attacked. He’s known for being very talkative.

You might recognize Rafe Spall from his appearances in popular shows and movies like The Big Short, Life of Pi, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, The Salisbury Poisonings, Trying, Black Mirror, and The Ritual.

Sian Clifford as Vivien

Vivien is the director of The King’s Museum, which has been in the news recently because of issues with its collection. Shah attempts to impress her hoping to be given a chance to deliver an emotional speech at an important event.

You probably recognize Sian Clifford from her roles in popular shows like Fleabag, Vanity Fair, Unstable, Everyone Else Burns, and The Ballad of Wallis Island.

Patrick Stewart as talking pig’s head

In the movie Bait, Patrick Stewart provides the voice for a pig’s head that’s thrown into Shah’s family home as part of a hate crime. Shah secretly keeps the head frozen and begins treating it like a podcast co-host, with the head representing his private thoughts.

You probably recognize Patrick Stewart from his iconic roles! He’s famous for playing Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek, Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men, and Avery Bullock on the animated show American Dad!. He’s a highly respected actor with a long career in both theater and film.

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Okay, so I just finished watching “Add Bait,” and honestly, it’s worth checking out. If you’re looking for something new to stream, I highly recommend adding it to your watchlist on the TopMob “What to Watch” app. Seriously, download that app now – they give you daily recommendations, exclusive features, and keep you up-to-date on everything happening in TV. It’s become my go-to for finding hidden gems like this one.

Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a BA degree in English Literature.

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2026-03-25 14:07