Ruling Out Riz Ahmed As The Next James Bond After Amazon’s Bait Series

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As a big Bond fan, I was really hoping Amazon Prime Video’s Bait would give us some clues about who the next 007 would be. After all, Amazon got the full rights to the James Bond franchise in 2025, and everyone was expecting an announcement – or at least a hint about when we’d finally get a new movie. But honestly, Bait seems to eliminate at least one actor from the running!

The new series, Bait, is a unique and intriguing six-episode show created by and starring Riz Ahmed. He plays Shah Latif, an actor having a hard time, who unexpectedly gets a chance to audition for the iconic role of James Bond. It’s a clever, self-aware show that doesn’t reveal who will be the next Bond, but it definitely hints at who won’t be.

After Bait, It’s Safe To Rule Riz Ahmed Out Of The “Next James Bond” Conversation

In the film Bait, Riz Ahmed stars as Shah Latif, an actor whose career gets a sudden boost when he’s considered for the lead role in the next James Bond movie. Even before finding out if he’s been cast, Shah becomes famous simply by being a potential candidate.

Okay, so “Bait” immediately throws you into the frenzy surrounding the next James Bond – and it’s a conversation we’ve all been having. Ever since Daniel Craig hinted he was done, the internet exploded with guesses about who should take over. Honestly, it’s been so long now that a lot of the initial frontrunners seem…well, a little dated. The film really captures that feeling of a constantly evolving, online speculation machine.

Idris Elba was frequently mentioned as a potential James Bond, and many hoped he could be the first Bond actor of color. However, at 53 in 2026, he’s now considered too old for the part. The search is on for a younger actor, with Riz Ahmed being suggested, though it seems he’s not currently being considered.

If Ahmed is playing a character in Bait who isn’t a typical James Bond type, he’s likely not being considered for the role. It would be a clever twist for Amazon to create a show about an actor auditioning for Bond, and then actually cast that actor as Bond.

Imagine a live event mirroring the start of the 1988 Academy Awards, with someone like Conan O’Brien playfully popping up in scenes from various Best Picture nominees, then unexpectedly bursting onto the actual stage.

Bait Looks Great, But I Still Think Riz Ahmed Could Have Been Bond (The Proper One)

Okay, so “Bait” looks amazing, and honestly, I’m always happy to see more Riz Ahmed on screen! But it’s a little disappointing because it probably means he won’t be the next James Bond. Seriously, after watching the trailer, I really think Riz could nail that role. He’s such a versatile actor, and playing a super spy feels like something he could absolutely pull off.

While Riz Ahmed’s intense, unsettling performance in Nightcrawler wouldn’t translate to a traditional James Bond, his later role in The Night Of showed he can portray a powerfully brooding and intimidating character. His performance in Relay as a corporate problem-solver further demonstrates his ability to play the subtle, calculating side of Bond, suggesting he’d be perfect for a more restrained take on the character.

It’s possible Ahmed is intentionally misleading people. Considering he created the show Bait and is in charge of it, this could all be a way for him to try and land the role of James Bond himself. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t mind at all. Otherwise, it looks like Bait will eliminate more potential Bond actors than it actually suggests as possibilities.

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2026-03-18 19:00