The Traitors has been pulling in millions of viewers, with over 5 million tuning in for the first episode of season 3. The BBC One show takes a simple party game and turns it into a psychological thriller, creating larger-than-life characters out of the contestants as they lie and deceive their way to a cash prize.
Have your say! What makes a good Traitor? Are you good at spotting liars in real life, or would you be the first to be banished? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.
Those familiar with reality TV will recognise the format – contestants gather in a gothic Scottish castle, and a select few are secretly assigned the role of Traitor. Under the watchful gaze of presenter Claudia Winkleman, they must “murdering” the other contestants – the Faithful – and reduce their numbers without revealing their ‘true’ identity.
The Faithful must use all their social and observational skills to identify the Traitors and have the opportunity to banish them from the castle – a move that can backfire if they accuse the wrong person. Anyone who’s played a party game of Mafia or Werewolf will recognise the basics, but The Traitors adds its own unique flair, with plenty of camp, drama, and unexpected twists and new game mechanics along the way.
After the huge success of the first series Claudia Winkleman didn’t want to ruin it with a second series
(Image: Ian West/PA)
At the end of the series, if there are no Traitors left, the Faithful share the cash prize. But if even one Traitor remains, they lose everything.
Former contestants have been dishing out their best strategies for mastering the role of a Traitor. Discussing tactics with the Mirror, season 2 contestant Paul Gorton reflected on his approach: “I think it’s the ability to see three days ahead. So with me, it was like ‘cool, we need to murder this person because it’s going to cause disruption. They’re already going to banish this person.
The people behind the show are keen on recruiting “genuine” participants for an authentic gaming experience and not just people yearning for a moment in the limelight or a social media boost. This contrasts with the US version, which adds a sprinkle of TV personalities to the line-up while keeping the majestic yet eerie castle as a backdrop.
Have your say! What makes a good Traitor? Are you good at spotting liars in real life, or would you be the first to be banished? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.