Claudia Winkleman: ‘The new turn turned the traitors upside down’

This article contains some discussion of the first episode of The Traitors, including changes to the format, but does not include major spoilers such as who the new traitors are or who gets killed or exiled.

Traitor is back on our screens, with its usual mix of murders, missions and midnight rendezvous. This year the number of contestants has increased to 25 – ranging from a former British diplomat to a member of the clergy.

“I just love a good kill,” priestess Lisa says, in an early episode, revealing that she’s had a “chat” with the man upstairs about the ethics of taking part. But, she concludes: “Any self-respecting murder mystery has to have a priest in it.”

At Wednesday’s launch she was joined by a retired opera singer, beautician, landscaper, swimming teacher, window cleaner, financial investigator and British Army soldier.

But even though the players are different, and the format has undergone some significant changes (more on those in a second), the fundamentals of the show remain.

“The whole beauty of Traitors is the game itself,” says presenter Claudia Winkleman. “I get messages all the time from people playing it in theaters, on movie sets, in schools, even at a wedding of traitors — I agree, a lot.”

The presenter says she feels “absolutely nervous” about the start of series three – both fearful of accidental spoilers and whether audiences will love the show as much as the previous series. “I don’t breathe until January 24,” she jokes.

“It’s been an honor to be in this roundtable and see how it unfolds, so I feel incredibly lucky and love it, and you just don’t want people to be disappointed, Because people who like [the show] Very vocal.”

The Traitors is one of the BBC’s biggest success stories of recent years. The first UK series was watched by around five million total viewers, the second by over eight million.

A true water cooler hit, it’s one of the few shows in the streaming era that viewers feel like they’re watching at the same time as everyone else.

A number of changes have been made to the main format this year, although it is not yet clear how big of an impact they will have.

An early twist in the series is somewhat reminiscent of the previous one, as the three contestants are abandoned before entering Ardros Castle in Inverness.

“When they come in, they assume they know how the game is going, and it’s our job to explain that they don’t,” Winkleman says of the changes.

“There are twists and turns everywhere, but they have to be different from series one and two. They hope to walk away with up to £120,000, but have come to play a game, and I like the fact that They don’t know where it’s going.”

It remains to be seen whether there will be a way back later in the series for contestants who sacrifice themselves, as there was in series one for Amos and Kieran, the two players who were kicked out at the castle gates.

Perhaps more importantly, Winkleman told the new crop that some of the finalists this year will no longer reveal whether they are loyalists or traitors as they have been banished.

Instead, the remaining players will have to rely entirely on their instincts to determine whether or not there are any traitors left, ultimately deciding when to end the game.

“It underlines … the central part of the show, which is trust and gut instinct,” says Winkelman. “You’ll love the ending, I hope that’s all I can say, it turns everything on its head.”

It is difficult to predict how this will affect the final in practice. Had this rule been in place last year, it might have been easier for Harry to win, as Andrew’s last-minute attempt to bring down his fellow traitor before he was banished wouldn’t have raised so much suspicion with Jazz.

Critics were largely positive about Wednesday’s series debut, but some noted that the show would have to continue to innovate to keep things fresh.

“Traitors, like his players, must constantly adapt, therefore increasing brutality.” The Times’ Carol Midgley said.

“But I think if it wants to hold a candle to last year’s show, it needs to turn the screws a lot more.”

Nick Hilton of the Independent noted: “This third season of Traitors is, naturally, more self-aware. The contestants know the different game plans that are used, know that the producers have several cards up their sleeves.

“There is a sense that competitors want to guarantee more screen time by playing games within games, probably at the encouragement of the production team.”

But L. Hunt of the Evening Standard said: “All the key ingredients are already in place. While it’s hard to get to know the 22 contestants early on, the leaders, court jesters, and potential threats are all already starting to emerge. A winning formula strikes again. does.”

In the opening episode, one of the new contestants astutely suggested that most of the traitors this year might be women, whereas the last series was mostly men.

“There’s a little bit of it, and you’ll see how it works for us,” Winkleman tells reporters, giving nothing more.

But, the presenter added, she doesn’t choose traitors herself. Instead, she explains: “We talk to all of them, and then six of us go into a room, brilliant casting people, and we get seven packets of biscuits.

“I’m the smallest voice in the room, but you decide during these chats who it’s going to be.”

Two sisters are taking part this year, although they have been open about their relationship with each other from the start – unlike some contestants from previous series.

Their casting is part of a broader effort to ensure the show is always a little different, with new people, new personality types and new relationships.

“In any form of entertainment, you can’t repeat,” Winkleman reflects. “You want to give the people who are playing and watching something new. So yeah, two sisters, let’s see how it works.”

Some of the latest crop have come up with innovative new strategies – a contestant trying to maintain a fake Welsh accent throughout their time in the game.

“I see, if you’re going to play a game of deception why not start at the beginning?” Winkleman reflects.

A presenter’s biggest fear is accidentally giving away the identity of traitors while filming the roundtables. “I’m quite paranoid about spotting traitors, so I look over everyone’s head.”

By her own admission, Winkleman becomes emotionally involved in the series and connects with the show’s contestants.

“I love them, each one, all of them,” she smiles. “I was texting Maddie from the series the other day, I texted Charlotte’s aunt.

“Matt from series one wanted to show me his new skill – sorry, that sounds like code, it was skateboarding. Aubrey sends me pictures of his room.

“But I stay in touch with all of them because I’m very grateful to them for the way they play. And these guys [in the new series] are exceptional sportsmen.”

The first two episodes of The Traitors are now on BBC iPlayer. The rest of the series will air on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights at 21:00 GMT.