The Traitors has become a much-needed escape from the dreariness of January, captivating audiences three nights a week. During this time, it feels like the entire country is engrossed in the drama of the show. But on the days when the series isn’t airing, fans are busy discussing their theories and sharing opinions in group chats and online forums.
It’s not just the strategies and the contestants that are being discussed – there’s an endless stream of questions circulating about what happens behind the scenes, where the cast goes after filming, and whether Charlotte will ever reveal her true accent. Fortunately, former contestants have shared some of these secrets, offering us a glimpse into the hidden workings of The Traitors castle.
What Happens Before Breakfast at the Castle?
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Traitors is the tension surrounding the breakfast scene, where contestants’ arrival order sparks plenty of speculation. According to Maddy Smedley from series one, contestants are placed in separate holding rooms when they arrive in the morning and are called into breakfast either individually or in small groups. This careful control extends into the evenings, where contestants are escorted by a runner to a car, ensuring their movements remain discreet.
Harry Clark, a Traitor and winner of series two, reveals that there are no clocks in the castle, so contestants have no sense of time. “You get picked up in the morning, and when filming is done, you’re taken back to your lodgings,” he shares. “I never know when the mission starts or when lunch is—we rely on the production team to guide us. In between, we mostly just sit around chatting.”
A Day in the Castle: Not All Traitor Talk
Although the show’s hour-long episodes focus heavily on traitor speculation and strategy, Harry admits that most of the day is spent on more casual conversations. “I spent a lot of time talking with Paul about football or discussing whether people believe in aliens,” he laughs. “None of that makes it to the final cut because it doesn’t move the game forward.”
For Dr. Amos Ogunkoya, a contestant from series one, the castle days felt like a “really nice holiday camp—until the roundtable,” where tensions rise and suspicions come to a head. “During the day, we’re just learning about each other’s lives, so you form really close bonds with everyone there.”
How Long Does the Roundtable Really Last?
The absence of clocks in the castle makes it challenging to determine the exact duration of events, but the roundtable certainly exceeds its 10 minutes of screen time. “At the beginning, there are 22 people,” Harry explains. “Even if everyone only speaks for 10 minutes, that’s more than three hours of discussion.”
While viewers may struggle to understand the intense emotions displayed during and after the roundtable, Harry describes it as an incredibly “intense” experience. “Everyone has their own story, and when someone gets banished, you’re essentially taking away their chance of winning money,” he shares.
Maddy admits she was so emotionally drained that she “cried so much on the show, the security guards would give me ice every morning to help with the puffiness in my face.”
Where Do Contestants Sleep?
The precise location of the contestants’ lodgings is kept under wraps, and according to the cast, it’s a well-kept secret. “It’s about a 30-minute drive from the castle, but you’re blindfolded as you approach so you can’t see the car in front or figure out exactly where you are,” Maddy reveals.
The entire production team and cast stay in private accommodations, but contestants are kept isolated from one another “with military precision.”
“You’re allowed to go for walks, but you must be escorted by a runner, and each floor is monitored by security guards to make sure no one leaves their room unaccompanied,” Maddy adds.
At first, Maddy was terrified of the guards, especially after watching the Dutch version of the show, where “the faithful are murdered in their hotel rooms.” She feared every knock on her door might mean her departure.
Harry, however, admits feeling lonely at times, especially since contestants have their phones confiscated. “But I can’t complain—I slept easy every night knowing I’d be showing up for breakfast!”
What Do Contestants Eat?
While viewers occasionally get a glimpse of a fruit bowl at breakfast or someone loading up on carrots at dinner, contestants have mixed reviews of the food provided.
Dr. Amos describes the breakfast as “horrible” and something you’d “definitely not want to eat much of.” However, Matt is more diplomatic, calling it “decent.”
Harry, being a picky eater, shares that there was “a lot of Scottish food, like haggis,” but he wouldn’t touch it. Fortunately for him, contestants could request specific meals.
“I ate a lot of chicken nuggets and chips during the day, and in the evening, I’d ask for what I called ‘the perfect traitor fuel’—a crisp sandwich,” he laughs.
What Happens When Contestants Are Banished or Murdered?
When a contestant is banished during the roundtable, Maddy explains, they “really do leave immediately.” After a brief exit interview, they are taken to their hotel to pack their belongings. “The next day, I was escorted by security to the airport and given my phone back.”
However, being “murdered” on the show is a far more stressful experience. Maddy explains that the process begins like any other morning, with contestants waiting in their holding rooms. “Eventually, you’re called, but instead of going to breakfast, they take you to another room where the murder letter is sitting on a chair.”
“It was so stressful,” she admits.
Do Producers Tell Contestants What to Say and Do?
Dr. Amos was surprised by just how unscripted everything is on The Traitors. Maddy recalls that the only time producers intervened was when they asked her to announce she was an actor during breakfast, even though she had already shared that information with her fellow contestants beforehand.
Matt also mentions that there were moments where producers guided the contestants. “Sometimes, people were pulled aside and told to go speak with others. It’s natural for producers to direct you into situations that make for good television,” he says.
Harry adds that while it may feel weird at first with cameras in your face, you eventually forget they’re there. “Most rooms just have cameras in the corners, and you wear a mic, so you don’t always see the producers until the end of the day when they check in on you,” he explains.
Mike Cotton, the creative director of the studio behind The Traitors, told the BBC that there are cameras “dotted around every room” in the castle. “I’d say there are about 50 or 60 cameras in the living space,” he said. Some cameras are even hidden in the roundtable itself to ensure the contestants remain immersed in the experience, unable to see the cameras.
What is Claudia Winkleman Like?
Harry admits he was “so nervous” when he first met Claudia Winkleman, describing her as “so powerful.” He thought she would be dismissive, but he was surprised to find that she “knew everything about everyone” and got deeply involved. “She makes you feel really comfortable,” he adds.
How Much Does Claudia Winkleman Know About the Challenges?
Harry reveals that Claudia knows very little about the challenges before filming. “There’s a team that creates the missions, and everyone else stays in the dark about them,” he explains. He admits to trying to pry information out of the team off-camera, but they wouldn’t divulge anything.
Claudia herself has said her biggest fear is accidentally revealing the identity of the traitors during the roundtables. “I’m absolutely paranoid about looking at the traitors, so I just sort of look just above everybody’s head,” she shared.
How Are Traitors Selected?
Claudia explained in a recent interview that a team makes the decision about who becomes a traitor. “We have a chat with all the contestants, and then six of us, including the brilliant casting team, go up to a room and get through seven packets of biscuits to make our decision,” she said. She emphasized that while she has a smaller voice in these discussions, it’s a collaborative process to decide who is chosen.
The team takes the contestants’ wishes into account, and if someone doesn’t want to be a traitor, they won’t be selected. Dr. Amos shares that he made it clear he wouldn’t participate if he was asked to be a traitor, as he felt it would have consequences for his professional life as a doctor.
How Do You Get on The Traitors?
Getting onto The Traitors requires considerable effort. After submitting a written and video application, candidates go through several rounds of interviews with producers. “They mostly ask you to tell them stories about yourself,” Dr. Amos explains.
Harry adds that if producers like you, they’ll call you a few weeks before filming starts to let you know you’re heading to Scotland to be part of the show.
Where Is The Traitors Castle?
The Traitors is filmed at Ardross Castle, a 19th-century building located about 30 miles north of Inverness. The castle is surrounded by 100 acres of gardens and parkland and has been owned by the McTaggart family since 1983. Fun fact: the previous owner, Charles William Dyson Perrins, is part of the family behind the creation of the Worcestershire Sauce recipe.
How Many People Are Involved in the Production?
Mike Cotton shared that the crew on location consists of over 200 people. “It sounds massive, but we film one episode per day,” he says. This team includes everyone from producers and camera operators to the art department, responsible for the interior design of the rooms. Cotton likened the production scale to a Hollywood movie set.
Dr. Amos adds that every crew member knew who the traitors were, even though the faithful contestants felt like they were in the minority. “From the psychologist who supports you to everyone else, they all know who the traitors are,” he reveals.
Strict Limits on Movement
The castle, though expansive, doesn’t offer much freedom for contestants to roam. Matt Harris from series one explains, “You’re not allowed to leave the cameras’ sight, so you can’t walk around the grounds on your own.” Producers set up specific rooms, like the library and bar, for the show and dictate which areas contestants can access. This constant surveillance ensures the drama stays contained and controlled, keeping everyone on edge as the game unfolds.
Blindfolded Car Journeys: A Game of Secrecy
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Traitors is the use of blindfolded car journeys. These secretive rides are used to transport contestants to various locations without revealing any clues about where they’re headed.
- Purpose: These journeys are designed to keep contestants from talking to one another or figuring out their next move, maintaining the suspense and unpredictability that are critical to the game’s structure.
- Secrecy: By preventing contestants from knowing their destination, producers ensure that no one can share information about the location, which could spoil the surprise or advantage for others.
This tactic highlights the producers’ commitment to maintaining the mystery and challenge that are central to the show’s success. For viewers, this adds an extra layer of tension, as contestants are left to guess their next step.
Secret Sleeping Locations: Keeping the Traitors Hidden
While The Traitors revolves around deception and trust, another critical behind-the-scenes element is the secret sleeping arrangements. Contestants don’t always sleep in the same locations, adding to the mystery of who might be a Traitor or Faithful.
- Separate Rooms: Contestants are often separated to ensure they don’t form alliances or strategize outside of the challenges. This isolation makes it more difficult for players to guess who might be a Traitor.
- Strategic Placement: Some contestants are placed in rooms that are far from others, preventing conversations that could lead to important revelations or alliances forming too early.
The sleeping arrangements also create an air of uncertainty, as players constantly wonder who their allies might be, or who could be secretly plotting behind closed doors.
Psychological Tactics and Their Effect on the Contestants
The show’s psychological components extend beyond blindfolded car journeys and sleeping locations. Producers use these tactics to create tension and force contestants to think and act strategically.
- Isolation as a Tool: By isolating contestants, whether through their sleeping arrangements or the secrecy of the game, producers push players to rely on their instincts and observations.
- Trust Issues: These measures also heighten trust issues, which are essential for the game. Players must decide whom to trust, knowing that anyone could be a Traitor.
These elements serve to heighten the psychological aspect of The Traitors, where nothing is as it seems, and everyone is a potential adversary.
How Secrecy Enhances the Drama and Viewer Experience
For viewers, the secrets behind The Traitors create a sense of anticipation and excitement. The suspense of not knowing who is being transported where, or where contestants are sleeping, keeps the audience engaged and glued to the screen. These behind-the-scenes measures also ensure that the show remains unpredictable, as contestants and viewers alike are kept in the dark about key details.
- Mystery Adds Value: The blindfolded car journeys and hidden sleeping locations contribute to the overall mystery of the show, making it more enjoyable for viewers who love unraveling secrets.
- Viewer Engagement: The uncertainty surrounding the contestants’ movements and arrangements encourages viewers to engage more actively with the show, constantly guessing who the Traitors might be and what the next twist will entail.
Conclusion
In The Traitors, secrecy is a key component that keeps the game exciting for both contestants and viewers. From blindfolded car journeys to secret sleeping locations, the producers go to great lengths to maintain an atmosphere of suspense and unpredictability. These strategies not only make the game more challenging but also provide an immersive viewing experience that keeps audiences hooked.
FAQ
Why do contestants wear blindfolds on The Traitors?
Blindfolded car journeys keep contestants from knowing their destination, adding an element of surprise and secrecy.
How does isolation impact the gameplay?
Contestants are kept isolated to prevent them from forming alliances or sharing strategic information.
What are the sleeping arrangements like for the contestants?
Contestants sleep in separate locations to keep them from strategizing outside of the game’s structure.
Does secrecy affect the show’s outcome?
Yes, secrecy keeps the Traitors’ identities hidden, forcing contestants to rely on instincts and strategies.
How do these behind-the-scenes strategies impact viewers?
They keep viewers engaged and enhance the drama by maintaining suspense and unpredictability.
Are there any other secretive elements in The Traitors?
The production team ensures all aspects, from car journeys to strategic placements, are shrouded in mystery to elevate the gameplay.
