Prime Video's New James Bond-esque Thriller Extends 18-Year Rotten Tomatoes Streak For Riz Ahmed

Prime Video’s new James Bond-esque thriller, Bait, keeps Riz Ahmed’s remarkable 18-year Rotten Tomatoes streak alive.

The British series is created by and stars Emmy and Oscar-winning Riz Ahmed. Ahead of its series premiere on March 25, Bait debuted to a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. However, with only six reviews from critics at the time, its perfect score was subject to change slightly.

Now, with all six episodes streaming since March 25, Bait has dropped to a 96% score from critics, coupled with an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It has 24 reviews from critics and fewer than 50 ratings from users at the time of writing, so its scores are still subject to change if more are added.

For now, Bait extends Riz Ahmed‘s remarkable 18-year Rotten Tomatoes streak, as every TV show he has starred in has received Fresh ratings from critics and audiences going back to 2008 – including The OA, The Night Of, and Girls – but not including late-night shows he has appeared on. See a comparison of his TV shows below:

	RT Critics Score	RT Audience Score
Bait (2026)	96%	88%
The OA (2016-2019)	84%	83%
The Night Of (2016)	94%	93%
Girls (2012-2017)	89%	76%
Dead Set (2008)	92%	78%

Riz Ahmed won an Emmy for the HBO miniseries The Night Of and received a nomination for his guest role in Girls, both in 2016.

What Is Bait About?

Bait is created by and stars Riz Ahmed as a struggling British Pakistani actor, Shah Latif, who auditions for the role of James Bond and is thrust into a full-blown existential crisis and conspiracy simultaneously.

The show also stars Guz Khan, Aasiya Shah, Sheeba Chaddha, Sajid Hasan, Ritu Arya, Weruche Opia, Maxine Peake, Rafe Spall, Soni Razdan, Himesh Patel, Sian Clifford, Patrick Stewart, and Gassan Abdulrazek.

What Are Audiences Saying About Bait?

Many audience reviews praise the show for its sharp writing, strong performances, and mix of humor and heart. Viewers highlight its chaotic family dynamics, witty dialogue, and standout acting from the cast – especially Riz Ahmed and Guz Khan – noting that their performances feel both relatable and imaginative. Many say Bait is a perfect binge-watch.

Other audience reviews point to the show’s surreal tone, cultural commentary, and engaging editing – though a few feel the series is slightly short, underdeveloped, or poorly paced in places. But overall, audiences agree that Bait is bold, entertaining, and well worth watching.