Today in Focus How we got hooked on The Traitors
Jan 21, 2026
Elle Hunt, a Feature writer at The Guardian, shares her journey as a superfan of The Traitors. She delves into the show's gripping format, where traitors and faithfuls clash through challenges and betrayals. Elle reveals the mind games involved, including new twists that shake up gameplay. Her visit to the castle provided firsthand insight into the participants' struggles. The discussion also touches on societal themes of mistrust and emotional fallout from betrayal, making the show a compelling reflection of human nature.
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Diane's On‑Show Murder And Farewell
- Diane recounts being murdered with a glass of fizzy rosé and buried alive on-screen.
- She describes the emotional farewell with her son Ross and how awkwardly funny it became.
Psychology Drives The Show
- The Traitors succeeds because it reveals human psychology more than it presents a typical reality show.
- Different casts and unpredictable round-table dynamics make each season feel fresh and compelling.
Structure Favors The Traitors
- The game's structure forces faithfuls to infer identity from scant evidence and social cues.
- Trait ors hold more control, so faithfuls often depend on mistakes or emotional influence to win.