Written by Joshua Jacob
Bait, the new series on Prime Video, follows a struggling brown actor trying to break into an industry where a lot is working against him. From its first episode, the show sets up a story that mixes tension, humor, and real-world issues, especially when it comes to identity and representation. While it still has the feel of a drama series meant to entertain, Bait stands out because of how real its message feels for actors of color trying to find their place in Hollywood.
The episode, “Blatant, Not Subtle”opens with Shah Latif (Riz Ahmed – who created the series and wrote the episode) dresses like James Bond in what looks like a serious and intense situation, only for it to quickly be revealed that it’s actually part of a James Bond film set where he struggles to deliver his line for an important audition. That moment immediately establishes the tone of the series while also establishing Latif as someone who is constantly trying to prove himself. In a desperate attempt to make his acting efforts worth it, he makes a spontaneous move to get attention from paparazzi, which unexpectedly puts him back into the spotlight and gives him another chance.
As things start to pick up for him, Latif’s personal life and career begin to overlap. He gets another audition, but that opportunity comes with pressure from both the industry, his family and online perception.. For example: before his successful stunt, his family tries to be supportive, though his mother worries about his lack of recent success and his father jokes that, as a brown man, his acting ambitions are unrealistic. Soon, public reactions start to turn against him, showing how quickly success can come with backlash. These early moments set up a bigger story about chasing success while dealing with expectations and judgment from others.
One of the biggest strengths of Bait is how it highlights the struggles that brown actors face in the entertainment industry. The show makes it clear that it is not just about landing a role, but also about being accepted in spaces that were not built for them. Whether it is being overlooked or questioned for the roles they pursue, the series does a strong job showing how these challenges affect someone trying to succeed. Another thing that stands out is Shah Latif as a character. He is not written as someone who has it all figured out, but rather someone caught between confidence and doubt. His decision to stage a moment with paparazzi reflects both desperation and determination, which makes him feel real. It is easy to understand why he makes the choices he does, even if they are not always the best ones.
This becomes even more meaningful knowing that Riz Ahmed created the show and wrote the premiere episode himself. Because of that, Latif’s struggles feel more personal than fictional. It also makes the story resonate more with viewers who have faced similar challenges, especially those who have hesitated to put themselves out there or pursue something unconventional because of the barriers in their way. As someone who relates to that experience, it makes Latif’s journey feel even more genuine and impactful.
The tone of the episode keeps things interesting. The opening fake-out scene immediately grabs the audience’s attention and the show does a good job balancing serious moments with bits of humor and tension. It never feels like it is just one thing the whole time, which helps keep the episode engaging while still letting its message come through. If there is one criticism, it is that some parts of the episode felt a bit rushed. A lot happens in a short amount of time, especially for a first episode where we are first learning about the world around Latif, and it can feel like certain moments do not get enough time to fully sink in. This also could be due to the fact that unlike some Netflix shows (such as the recent Season 2 of the live-action adaptation of One Piece, whose episodes are about one hour long each), these episodes are about 27 minutes each, meaning they tell as much of the story as possible in such a short time. While the message of the show is clear and important, there are times where it feels a little too direct instead of letting the audience fully take it in on their own.
Overall, the premiere episode of Bait does a really good job introducing a story that feels both entertaining and meaningful. It brings attention to issues that are not always talked about while still giving viewers a character they can connect with. Even with some pacing issues, the strong performances and relevant themes make it a series worth checking out. As Bait continues, it has a lot of potential to go even deeper into its story and make a bigger impact towards those who can relate to the main character’s journey.
