THE TRAITORS took the UK by storm when it started airing in November 2022, and now fans are anxiously awaiting season three, which is set to drop tonight.
Producers have already promised fans twists and turns in the upcoming series that will make the show feel like a ‘whole new game’.
Claudia Winkleman backed this up with her vague pronouncement to The Sun’s TV mag that “There is one twist this year” which she thinks “will have people on the edge of their seats”.
I am particularly glad to hear this, because it is often the third series of a hit reality show that is its downfall.
Season one snags the attention of viewers; season two provides a twist on the original format which leaves viewers shocked.
What is there left for season three to deliver?
As a reality TV expert, this is what I think BBC bosses need to do to make sure they keep viewers hooked this year.
Everyone who tuned in for season two knows Ross and Diane were firm favourites.
The mother and son duo revealed themselves as relatives to the audience while making the journey up North to Ardross Castle – but once there, they both went undercover.
None of the other contestants knew that two of their fellow players already had a bond thicker than water.
This led to some intense moments on screen where the pair tried to secretly communicate with each other about who they thought might be a Traitor without any of the other contestants realising they knew each other before the show.
The duo also earned their fair share of laughs when Ross made fun of his mum’s Sunday roasts at the banquet table – taking advantage of her undercover status which meant she couldn’t rise to the bait, despite being well in earshot of him.
For that reason, I could see producers trying to replicate their success by bringing in another familial pairing – perhaps a father and daughter this time.
But I would advise show bosses to steer clear. It’s rare that an audience falls for the same gags twice, and the exact people who found Ross and Diane’s interactions hilarious in series two are likely to find a repeat performance off-putting and cringey.
So far the score is even in terms of who has won The Traitors.
Season one saw Faithfuls Aaron Evans, Hannah Byczkowski, and Meryl Williams take home the cash prize after figuring out who had been killing their fellow Faithfuls off all season.
Audiences were left gobsmacked at the end of series two when Traitor Harry Clarke walked away with £95,000 to himself after betraying those closest to him until the end.
Regardless of which team wins season three – which of course is out of the producers’ control – I think there needs to be a little more focus on the Faithfuls and their back stories this time around.
Last season many viewers pointed out that they always end up rooting for the Traitors simply because they get more screen time, so it’s easier to get on board with their game plan.
I think it’s time to flip the script and ensure that the best personalities are amongst the Faithfuls this year, so that people watching at home aren’t just counting down the minutes until they get killed off.
Maybe this time BBC bosses can even spice things up by putting the audience in the same shoes as the Faithfuls – leaving one Traitor unknown even to us.
If one Traitor stays hooded and cloaked at every midnight meeting, viewers will get even more drawn in, becoming sleuths themselves for clues that someone is acting “traitorish”.
The US version of The Traitors started airing on Peacock in January 2023, with one crucial difference from its UK counterpart.
Producers recruited minor celebrities and reality TV figures to participate in the game – rather than civilians.
While this clearly worked across the pond, I would advise the BBC to avoid this gimmick.
The magic of the show is created through innocuous interactions between regular Brits, bumbling their way through this televised murder mystery party.
It is those exact neighbour next door personalities that allow viewers to project themselves into The Traitors.
Holiday (1992–1996): Claudia started her TV career as a travel show presenter, delivering segments from exotic locations.
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two (2004–2010): Although she worked on a few shows between Holiday and Strictly, Claudia really came into her own as a presenter on this spin-off, where she could be seen offering behind-the-scenes gossip and interviewing contestants. She hosted It Takes Two from its inception until Zoe Ball took over from her in 2011.
Strictly Come Dancing (2014–present): After Sir Bruce Forsyth left the BBC show due to health concerns, Claudia joined Tess Daly as a co-host of the main show. This is one of the jobs Claudia is best known for.
Film 2010 (2010–2016): Claudia succeeded Jonathan Ross as the host of the BBC’s flagship film review show in 2010. She was praised by The Guardian for being a “passionate and engaging advocate of cinema” in this role.
The Great British Sewing Bee (2013–2016): Claudia brought her wit to the crafting competition for three years.
The Traitors (2022-present): Claudia’s dark hair and resting mysterious face have become synonymous with this hit reality show. Despite her attempts to leave after the first series in case future seasons flopped, BBC bosses were determined to keep her on, so it seems unlikely she’ll stop heading up the show anytime soon.
Harry could be your sister’s boyfriend, a friend from uni, or your favourite cousin – which made his betrayal hit that bit harder.
Diane reminded many of their stern mums or no-nonsense aunts, leaving them rooting for her detective methods right up until she landed in an untimely grave.
Without the element of relatability, I believe a lot of the joy of watching the show would be lost.
The Traitors could end up going the way of Love Island (which has seen dwindling viewing figures year after year as more of the cast become influencers and micro-celebrities).
Thankfully producers have already confirmed that season three was shot with civilians, but if those working at the BBC are tempted to bring even one familiar face in to cause chaos among the cast, I would strongly advise against it.
The Traitors series three begins tonight at 8pm on BBC One.
