As the highly anticipated return of the BBC’s sensational game show The Traitors draws near, fans are bracing themselves for another season of unexpected plot twists, suspicion, double-crossing and treachery.
The murder mystery programme, presented by Claudia Winkleman, sees ‘Faithfuls’ and ‘Traitors’ pitted against each other in a bid to win a cash prize that could reach up to £120,000.
However, after the previous two series, observant viewers have been left mulling over some intriguing queries. Does Claudia truly handpick the Traitors? Do the participants genuinely live in that magnificent Scottish castle? Are they permitted to take cigarette breaks? TV columnist Sara Wallis is here to shed light on these questions and more.
The producers ramp up the air conditioning in the banishment room
(Image: BBC)
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Q. Are the contestants paid?
While contestants aren’t officially paid, they do need to take leave from work, which results in lost earnings. To prevent them from suffering financial losses, they receive a daily allowance of approximately £100, reports Surrey Live.
Q. Do they have contact with the outside world?
One rule that is strictly enforced is no contact with the outside world. If the Faithful and Traitors had access to their phones or the internet, they could investigate each other and potentially gain an unfair advantage.
In certain instances, even the TV remote controls in their hotel rooms are seized.
Q. Is the breakfast served to them every morning as tasty as it looks?
Ivan from the first series of The Traitors took to social media to burst the bubble of viewers who might have fancied the breakfast shown on the show, as he declared: “I’m sorry guys, it’s time to come clean and leak something shocking about The Traitors. It pains me to tell you, but that breakfast is REALLY DRY AND NOT VERY NICE.”
Contestants usually eat their meals in their hotel rooms before the cameras start rolling.
Q. Do the contestants stay overnight in the castle?
The cast stay in a hotel away from the castle overnight
(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Mark Mainz)
Scenes of participants preparing nervously for a night spent on lavish four-poster beds would suggest so, but in reality, they are housed in a hotel near Inverness Airport, a 45-minute drive away from the castle grounds.
Q. Are Faithfuls really ‘murdered’ at night?
As for whether Faithfuls are ‘murdered’ during the eerie quiet of the castle at night, John McManus from series one cleared up the misconception. He explained that the ‘murders’ take place in the morning.
“Everybody goes to the castle at the same time in different jeeps and then you’re all put into separate holding rooms. It’s like a Big Brother diary room with the letter sat on the chair in front of you, and it just says, ‘The Traitors have murdered you’,” he revealed.
This tidbit illuminates why some appear camera-ready rather than dishevelled from sleep.
Q. Can contestants roam the castle freely?
The show is filmed at the magnificent Ardross Castle
(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/LLARA PLAZA)
Another common query is about the freedom contestants have within the castle. Regardless of what is portrayed on TV, the truth is they are only given access to specific areas including the library, a small bar, the billiards room, and the round table room for banishments.
The process of filming a television series at locations like Ardross Castle is no trivial feat, as Claire from the first series pointed out. The castle becomes a lively hive of activity, filled to the brim with “gaffer tape and wires” while “production staff, filming crew and sound crew all running around.”
Q. Is there just one confessional room?
Despite appearances suggesting contestants always enter the same space for confessionals, there are actually multiple identical rooms, between four or five, to avoid hold-ups in production.
Q. Are the contestants allowed to smoke and drink?
When it comes to vices such as smoking and alcohol consumption, players are indeed allowed cigarette or vaping breaks, though they remain under observation at these times. Alcohol use is allowed, evidenced by scenes showing them drinking post-banishment.
However, there’s a guideline limiting them to two drinks. Contestant Wilfred from the debut UK series unveiled: “They said two but they [staff] always disappeared after one. They don’t want us to mess up and get drunk and accidentally do something.”
Q. What’s the round table banishment room like?
Producers ramp up the air conditioning to make the round table room cold
(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Mark Mainz)
Anyone thinking the round table banishment room might offer some respite would be mistaken, as it’s notably cold. The chilly atmosphere is intentional, with production keeping the air conditioning cranked up to enhance the dramatic tension.
Before any banishments occur, contestants have an additional sensory experience: they’re made to listen to ‘The Hanging Tree’ from The Hunger Games soundtrack, contributing to the gravitas of the situation.
Q. Are the contestants ever left alone?
No, contestants are always accompanied during their time on the show, except when they are in their hotel rooms. They are constantly monitored to ensure no game-related conversations occur off-camera.
Security personnel are present at all times to prevent any underhanded tactics or private discussions about who might be a Traitor. Claire from series one revealed that cast members are even blindfolded and individually escorted back to their hotels to avoid speculation about the identities of the Traitors.
Q. Do all the cast apply for the show?
While The Traitors is open to applications through an online process, some cast members are also scouted by the producers.
The show’s producers have expressed a preference for genuine participants over fame-seekers to maintain the show’s authenticity. They sometimes scout individuals from poker and chess clubs, or fans of strategy games.
Q. Are the Traitors really chosen by Claudia herself?
Claudia is seen interviewing the cast each series
(Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/LLARA PLAZA)
We all know that Claudia, with her fingerless gloves and Fair Isle jumpers, reigns supreme and is seen selecting Traitors on screen. While she may consult with producers about the best choices, she definitely has a say in the decision.
Q. What’s the filming schedule like?
Filming days can be long and intense, with reports of some sessions extending into the early hours. However, Meryl Williams from season one disclosed that while the schedule from Monday to Saturday was hectic, they were given Sundays off.
Q. How scripted is the show?
Wilf, who appeared in the inaugural series of The Traitors, has shed light on the authenticity of the reality TV experience. Contrary to the common belief that such shows are heavily scripted, he insists that their time on the show was genuine.
He revealed that they were left to their own devices, remarking “We forgot about the cameras.”
Although there was no direct contact with producers during the shoot, Wilf did concede that the production team subtly influenced certain aspects behind the scenes. This manipulation ensured that participants remained in the dark about who the Traitors were and the game’s evolving narrative.
Q. Do the contestants get to keep anything?
While it might seem unlikely for participants to walk away with BBC props as souvenirs, Wilf shared a little insight into post-show mementos. He mentioned that each contestant received their portrait from the programme – the very images that audiences see adorning the wall.
In addition, they were presented with The Traitors board game. Considering the intensity of their televised ordeal, one could argue that they’ve had their fill of the game without needing to play it at home.
The Traitors returns to BBC One and iPlayer tonight at 8pm