Riz Ahmed is chasing acceptance in 'Bait'

Riz Ahmed, award-winning actor, writer, and musician, discusses his new Prime Video series, *Bait*, and his reimagining of Shakespeare's *Hamlet*. *Bait* explores the feeling that life is one big audition, focusing on the gap between our public and private selves, using James Bond as a symbol of unattainable success. Ahmed also shares a personal anecdote about being banned from a supermarket the same week he was revealed to be in *Star Wars*, highlighting the contrast between public image and personal chaos that inspired the show. Regarding *Hamlet*, Ahmed explains his adaptation is set in London’s South Asian community, connecting the play's themes of grief and unfairness to contemporary experiences. He also links Shakespeare's use of rhythm to rap music, emphasizing the musicality of the language.