Riz Ahmed on bringing 'Hamlet' into the modern world

Riz Ahmed discusses his transformative journey in bringing a modern, culturally reimagined version of 'Hamlet' to the screen—a project that took nearly a decade to realize. Set in contemporary Britain with a wealthy South Asian family at its core, the film reinterprets the classic tragedy through a visceral, first-person shooter lens, emphasizing emotional authenticity and kinetic storytelling. Ahmed reflects on how Shakespeare’s work resonated with him personally as an outsider, shaped by his experiences of cultural and class displacement. He also opens up about his perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the internalized self-criticism that drives his work, drawing parallels to his Amazon series 'Bait,' where his character grapples with similar anxieties. The conversation touches on broader industry issues, including the Paramount-Warner merger, streaming fatigue, and the shrinking TV landscape, while Ahmed champions the power of representation—both through his own milestones and the 'Riz Test,' a benchmark for Muslim representation in media. Despite political headwinds against diversity, he remains committed to expanding who is seen and celebrated in storytelling.