BBC bosses have given The Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman a firm directive to refrain from intervening in the gameplay during filming, as the reality show gears up for its third season starting on New Year’s Day.
The upcoming series promises more intrigue as a fresh cohort of contestants engage in a game filled with strategy, suspicion, and betrayal, all vying for a cash prize that could reach £120,000.
The second series finale earlier this year saw “traitor” Harry Clark cunningly outmaneuver his rivals to claim a £95,000 victory, captivating millions of viewers.
Claudia has won over audiences with her sharp wit and commanding presence on the BBC programme, earning accolades for her handling of the challenges and the tense silence she maintains during the round table discussions.
Yet, according to Sarah Fay, the executive producer of The Traitors, Claudia has been given explicit instructions not to influence the game while on camera, reports Lancs Live.
In a conversation with The Times, Fay explained: “That’s something which Claudia’s heavily briefed on, to the point where she’s probably scared to look at any of them. We never want to be part of the story and ultimately there’s a lot of money at stake. We like to set up the game, set up the boundaries and let them go.”
The Traitors, fronted by Claudia Winkleman, will be coming back for a third series
(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert Associates/Mark Mainz)
Fay further clarified that Claudia is strictly prohibited from stepping in during filming, regardless of how the events unfold.
“Sometimes that makes the best television,” Fay remarks. “You feel like you’re watching real people going through real emotions. Those round tables are so amazing to watch. Often you have people who have finished their shift, should be going home and they’re like, ‘Oh, I just want to stay and watch the round table.’ You can hear a pin drop.”
The Traitors, adapted from the Dutch format De Verraders, sees host Winkleman select a few players as traitors, with the rest being faithfuls who must identify the traitors among them to win the prize money.
During the game, the faithfuls work to avoid elimination and deduce who the traitors are in order to claim the prize for themselves.
In an astonishing turn of events, the second season saw the youthful Clark outwit his older competitors and betray his closest confidant, securing a hefty £95,150 prize.
Reflecting on meeting host Claudia, the 23-year-old expressed: “Oh my gosh, she’s the most powerful woman ever. When I met her I had a chokey throat, dry mouth and furry teeth because she was so powerful.”
Claudia Winkleman
(Image: BBC)
He continued praising Claudia’s ability to care for the participants, saying: “She looked after us all the time and she knew when to switch it on and off. One minute she’s making jokes and we’re all laughing; the next minute the Round Table starts and she puts you in the zone.”
The UK iteration of The Traitors has garnered critical acclaim, scooping up several accolades including the Bafta TV Award in 2023 for best reality and constructed factual show.
The inaugural two episodes of the fresh series are set to broadcast at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer come New Year’s Day. The remaining episodes, scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights, will commence at 9pm.