Actor Riz Ahmed has discussed his new Amazon MGM series "Bait," a six-part mini-series he wrote about a struggling actor from his native north London, and its storyline touching on speculation around him playing James Bond. He credited Bond producer Barbara Broccoli with unexpectedly approving the project despite advisers warning him she would never allow such a concept, calling her willingness a major hurdle overcome. The interview also traces Ahmed's career trajectory, from a shaky start as a struggling actor to Emmy and Oscar recognition.

Ahmed recalled setbacks such as the death of James Gandolfini in 2013, which stalled "The Night Of" before John Turturro replaced him and Ahmed later won an Emmy for the role, and financial desperation that led him to spend his last £1,000 flying to Los Angeles for a "Nightcrawler" audition. That gamble helped open doors in America, including a role in Paul Greengrass's "Jason Bourne." In "Bait," Ahmed plays Shah Latif, a former rapper turned actor being considered for the role of James Bond, a plot device that intersects with real reports that Eon Productions was in talks to hand the 007 franchise to Amazon MGM Studios.