No mercy: Claudia Winkleman takes on the role of a ruthless taskmaster Photo: Mark Mainz
It's a rainy day in the Scottish Highlands. The rolling valleys are covered in deep purple heather, the leaves are beginning to rust, and I sit blindfolded in a 19th century castle, fighting for survival. The slow, rhythmic click of boots on wood grows louder as the enemy circles and gets closer. My heart quickens — will I become the chosen one? Am I their prey? Gradually the steps are removed. No, not today.
This well-directed drama is unfolding because I'm on the set of the BBC reality show Traitors. And it must be said that presenter Claudia Winkleman has perfected the most terrifying walk since Mr. X in Resident Evil.
Winkleman, best known for her wholesome co-presentation of «Dancing with the Stars,» can usually be found tottering around in sparkly stilettos and doling out hugs. But here she plays against type as a cold-blooded rule enforcer who must also secretly select a group of «Traitors» by patting them on the back. Their goal is to «kill» their fellow players — the «Loyal» — and make off with a prize fund of up to £120,000. Meanwhile, the Faithful must try to figure out who the Traitors are and drive them out of the game before they become their next victim.
Perhaps Winkleman has recognized me as a promising Miss Marple. Without patting me on the shoulder, I am therefore a true believer. But for now let's leave this between us.
Along with Squid: The Challenge, Survivor and The Masked Singer, Traitors is part of the current trend of high-concept reality shows. The first UK series, based on the Dutch show De Varraders, attracted 34 million views on BBC iPlayer in 2022, winning two Baftas and an NTA. In the first year, 3,000 people applied; for this series, which begins on Wednesday, it was 30,000. The third series is already in production, and the Australian and US versions are also popular.
“We had no idea what we were doing—we were just trying it out,” Winkleman says when we get together. chat at a round table in an Arthurian castle. “I had my doubts. I'm not a risk taker and prefer to stay in bed. I was told I would be working in Scotland for three weeks, which meant I wouldn't be able to put the kids to bed every night. But then I watched the Dutch version and immediately bought a train ticket to Scotland.”
Winkleman has had a busy 2022. As well as Traitors and Strictly (plus the Radio 2 weekend show she left last month), she has also filmed new Channel 4 music competition The Piano. “I do a job that I can’t refuse. I don't want to do anything else – I love it, I love Strictly and I love The Piano. But I think I turned 50 and decided to take another risk,” she explains.
“It’s very exciting to be an observer and watch it all happen,” she says, her eyes widening with excitement. “We're always told to go with our gut, but in this game it all goes to the shredder. Many of us are afraid that people are not entirely honest — and this plays a role here.”
In the room we are in, the participants are arguing and voting for who they consider to be a traitor. It is dimly lit, its heavy mahogany paneling and high ceilings give it a solemn and eerie appearance. It forms only a small part of Ardross Castle, a vast estate north of Inverness which was originally a hunting lodge and then owned by Charles William Dyson Perrins, half of Lea & Perrin's Worcestershire sauce. It is now the private residence of the MacTaggart family, closed to the public.
Seductive Deception: Traitor Cloaks appear seductively luxurious. Photo: BBC
“Once I'm here and the game starts, I'm obsessed with it,” Winkleman tells me. “I cried at the end of the first episode. I've never cried on TV before. When they win on Strictly I'm like 'oh, well done', but here I was inconsolable.»
«You're on their side, whether they're Loyal or Traitor. But there needs to be a separation between me and them in case I spill the beans. After that, the production team wouldn't let me talk to them.”
The triumph of the series is its cast, a perfect combination of personalities from different professions, sexual orientations, races and generations. Winkleman, however, still doesn't quite understand that part of the success depends on her as a presenter. The seriousness of the game is balanced by its cleverness and warmth.
Saeda Irtizaali, editor of BBC Unscripted, who was here to guide a tour of the castle, explains that the broadcaster was looking for a new reality show for BBC One — the channel's first since Castaway in 2000. She supports boss Kate Phillips' choice. presenter not only because Winkleman is good, but also because “I always want women to get more work because men run television.”
Poker face: the first BBC series Traitors won two BAFTA awards. Photo: BBC
The new season of the show comes with a new challenge: the new contestants are fully aware of the basics of the game. To solve this problem, the show's executive producer Mike Cotton told me that the missions in which participants can earn money have an additional feature. Also new for season two is silliness, which looks like the perfect fodder for romance.
“That's not what the show is about. That's not how it's going to be shown,» Winkleman defends. But a budding romance could be a good plot point for an alliance? “There’s no time for [that] because you have to focus on the game, otherwise you’ll die,” she remarks, completely seriously.
The Cluedo-style rooms (which already have a library, living room and billiard room) can be complemented by the addition of a kitchen — a place where players can make plans and turn each other into toast. On the stone above the stove are the words “prope amicos tene” — “keep your friends close.” They work really hard with subliminal messages.
As we head to the ice tower where, in the dead of night, the traitors decide who they will kill, I try on the cloak for size, just to see what it's like to turn to the dark side. They appear black on TV, but in reality they are a luxurious emerald green. It is heavy — its weight literally presses on my shoulders. The hood is oversized so you can easily disappear; The lining is made of thick satin and feels cool on the skin. I could get used to this…it's tempting to be a traitor.
Winkleman agrees, clearly encouraged by the format. “I believe in playing brilliantly. With £120,000 at stake, that's a huge amount of money. If you play well, even if it’s dirty, it’s still a good game.” I wonder how Winkleman herself will behave? “I’d love to play… I think I’d be pretty good,” she admits, giggling. “It's about emotional intelligence, not the brain.”
Back at the round table, Winkleman asks for our verdict on who might be the Traitor in our pack. As soon as we remove the blindfolds, I notice a smirk dancing on the other player's lips. Full distribution? And so it turned out. The Faithful 1-0 The Traitors
The second series of Traitors begins on BBC One on January 3 at 9pm; the first three episodes will be available on iPlayer
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