Yes, there are lies, betrayal and manipulation; but this isn’t reality TV’s usual lazy storyline of contestants screeching at each other. When the traitors are uncloaked or faithfuls banished, there are no hard feelings (maybe with the exception of when traitor Harry won season 2 – Mollie, my thoughts are still with you!)
What also sets the show apart is that the contestants don’t appear fame-hungry – aside from Diane landing a few fizzy drink sponsors (well-deserved) and a Lidl Christmas campaign alongside Martine McCuthcheon – they seem like they just want to play the game. Take silent assassin and my stand out MVP so far in this series – Minah, a call centre manager from Liverpool – who wants to get her hands on the possible £120,000 jackpot to get a house deposit and a stunning honeymoon but loves lying along the way.
Then of course there’s queen of the castle, Claudia Winkleman, who rejoices in bringing us piping hot drama and camp one-liners while doing things like asking an owl to help her choose red leather gloves, and wearing oversized knits, tartan skirts and a proper good boot. Her enthusiasm for the game knows no bounds – she cheers the contestants on during the challenges and chastises them over breakfast, particularly when the traitors have got away with murdering her favourite faithful. Give that woman a BAFTA.
Whilst this all has the makings of an epic TV show, The Traitors is truly special because it is doing the work many reality TV shows – namely Love Island – refuse to do: it casts contestants from all ages, all backgrounds and all personalities. In the process, it harks back to the origins of reality TV shows like the OG Big Brother, which was all about creating a must-see sociological experiment – not creating a launch pad for the next face of Pretty Little Thing.
As The Traitors season 3 gets into its stride, I can’t wait for more delicious drama. At least it will get my heart rate going without having to commit to a January fitness regime.
The Traitors airs at 9pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.