In this nail-biting psychological reality competition, Claudia Winkleman greets 22 strangers as they arrive at a beautiful castle in the Scottish Highlands to play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust, in the hope of winning up to 拢120,000.
But hidden amongst them are the Traitors whose job is to secretly murder a player every night, without getting caught.
It鈥檚 up to the others, the Faithfuls, to try to detect who the traitors are, and banish them from the game, before they become their next victim.
For the lucky ones who survive to the end, they have the chance of winning that life-changing cash. But if a Traitor remains undetected, they鈥檒l steal all the money.
The Traitors returns on Wednesday 3 January from 9pm on 大象传媒 One and 大象传媒 iPlayer and episodes 2 and 3 will be available on iPlayer immediately after. The show will air on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
LW
Meet The Players
Andrew
Age: 45
Job title: Insurance Broker
Location: Talbot Green
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I loved last year鈥檚 show, I was really immersed in it and just loved the format. I like the game play and thought I could be good at it. Over the last couple of years, I've been going through a personal growth journey where I've been trying to learn a lot about myself - I've grown a lot. I want to step out of my comfort zone. I've been a Steady Eddy all my life I suppose, never taking any risks or challenges.
You only have one life, and I know that more than anyone because I suffered a serious accident many years ago. Your life is short, and it can get taken away at any moment. I live my life as best I can and take as many opportunities as possible that come my way. I never thought I'd get on the show in a million years. I'd like to inspire thousands of people out there who've maybe had a traumatic experience or suffered with their mental health. I want to inspire people and give them hope. To tell them that if you keep fighting and believing you will get to your dreams.
What did you think of the first series? Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
I'm not being biased but of course I like the Welsh, so I'd have to say Amanda. I liked Amanda's character and she was quite ruthless. Also Wilfred was great, he was very good from the off. He was a fantastic Traitor from day one right to the very end. There were loads of great people but those two stood out a lot for me.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I鈥檝e got a larger-than-life personality, and a lot of people say to me 鈥淥nce seen, never forgotten.鈥� I'm a big guy and I obviously have my scars, so I think people look at me and think I'm quite intimidating until I smile and start talking to people. I'm an approachable, down to earth guy. I'm very level-headed, passionate and competitive 鈥� this is due to my sporty background. I like to win but I鈥檓 also empathetic and understanding. I like helping other people too, so I think I'll be good in the castle for the contestants who are struggling or getting a bit stressed. I think I'm good at keeping calm in a busy environment from my security days.
Do you have a game plan?
I sort of have a game plan. After watching the contestants last year, I think you've got to have a game plan going in there, but I do like to adapt to the situation in front of me. I have worked in close protection security, so I looked after a lot of VIPs in London. This meant I had to be on my toes, be alert, and be able to adapt at the drop of a hat. So yes, I do think you've got to have some form of game plan when you go in, but I think you've got to be able to change that as the game develops.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
I am looking forward to the missions. I mean, I'm a competitive guy, I鈥檓 physically fit, I'm good at solving puzzles and I'm really excited about the challenges.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I'll be fine. I think I'd be good at both roles. As a Traitor you have to take the emotion out of the situation and allow yourself not to get too close to people. I鈥檝e got a motivating factor, a drive and that鈥檚 my family and to make a better life for them and myself, that's what I'll always come back to. We鈥檙e only there to play a game at the end of the day, we're not there to make friends. Even though we will make some lifelong friends, at the end of the day we're all in there to win money. I'm good at switching off my emotions which is good for a Traitor, in the back of my mind I'll always be thinking about what鈥檚 driving me and my motivation. Also, I don't crack under pressure, and I don't give anything away.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Yes. When I鈥檓 playing a game, it鈥檚 unfortunate but I'm quite a good liar! It's not a very good thing to say, I know, but it might come in handy.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
I'll do whatever it takes, within reason. I don't mind throwing people under the bus, it鈥檚 me or them at the end of the day. I鈥檒l just think of my family, my son, I want to make them proud and I want a better life for them. I鈥檓 a nice person deep down and when my family are watching on the TV, they will know the real me. They know me, they know my morals and that I'm a nice person. On The Traitors, you鈥檙e just playing a game, a game that you have to get totally immersed in.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I'll just get close. I'm very good at getting people to open up to me. For many, many years I've had lots of people tell me things, secrets that they haven't told their family, friends or parents. People say that I make them feel comfortable, so they open up to me. In every job I've ever had, in the bank, in the insurance world, I鈥檓 like the agony aunt. I always give everybody exactly the same respect, I treat everybody exactly the same way whether they've got a million pounds or nothing at all. So, I'll get close to people and I think I鈥檒l form relationships, get talking to people, ask lots of probing open questions. I鈥檒l be very good at watching and reading people, just looking for little mistakes that they might make and finding out who the Traitors are.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I think I am quite good! Personally, I鈥檝e had quite a few people lie to me over the years. People in work who I鈥檝e caught out lots of times and always been right. I'd rather people be open and honest to me, but I'm still quite good at spotting liars, I think.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I鈥檇 pay off a couple of debts and the usual boring stuff. But my dream is that I鈥檇 love to help people. I would like to set up some form of business. I love the gym, I love coaching, I love physical stuff. The gym is my safe haven. It's been my happy place for the last 20 odd years. I'd like to do something like personal training but also help people with their mental health. My NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) qualification means I'll be a qualified coach. I want to try and intertwine the two, look after people鈥檚 physical health and mental health together. I'd love to get out of bed in the morning and change people's lives.
I believe I have an inspiring story; I was pronounced dead on the side of the road 23 years ago and I was in a coma for nearly five weeks. My parents were told I鈥檇 never walk ever again, I had brain damage and that there's a chance of me not waking up from my coma. My parents were told that if I did wake up, I鈥檇 never walk, talk or use my arms again and I may not recognise them. They were told to prepare for the worst. There's lots of things that happened to me, and the doctors call me a miracle patient.
I met the man who saved my life last year. I met him and I shook his hand and said thank you for saving my life. There are not many people out there who get a chance to see somebody who saved their life and say thank you. It was a very emotional thing.
I鈥檝e had hundreds of people messaging me to say that they found my story inspiring and that鈥檚 led them to open up and start talking to their family. I want to inspire people, I believe I can inspire thousands and hopefully, with this exposure, millions of people. I think I鈥檝e only just scratched the surface of this, and I want to continue that really.
Anthony
Age: 45
Job title: Chess Coach
Location: Birmingham
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
When I saw the show, I thought to myself 鈥� this has me written all over it! It鈥檚 like a real life, live game of chess. That's what it is. Instantly, I was intrigued by that, and I just felt it was for me. I've never applied for a game show or anything before but this format, is 100% me.
What did you think of the first series?
When I started to watch series one, I thought that this is a game where basically everybody's expendable. Like a game of chess, every piece on the board is expendable, the only thing that matters is the king, that's it. And ultimately, the idea is to checkmate and win the game. For me, it was like in a chess tournament where you've got to control your emotions and psychologically manage yourself. I was completely intrigued by it.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
I have watched the UK, US and Australian series, and there are different elements in different people that I think that were really good, but you can't actually take the same thing and use it this time because everyone's situations are completely different. One thing is that you have to think on your feet as things are forever changing and there鈥檚 always potential chaos, but I believe that's where I'm at my best. I believe you can plan but only so much. The name of the game is survival, whether you're a Faithful or a Traitor it doesn鈥檛 matter. In series one Wilfred got very close, he almost got there and what was really key was that he managed to get there almost undetected. You have to be able to stay in the shadows at the right time, gel with the group at the right time and create allegiances at the right time.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
My life experiences and being able to manage my emotions. That's something I've discovered I'm actually pretty good at, being able to keep my emotions in check. I think that's something that's going to be really key, because if you don't keep your emotions in check, you might say the wrong thing at the wrong time and rub people up the wrong way. I believe it's something that I will definitely be able to bring to the game.
Do you have a game plan?
I have a loose game plan, a very loose game plan. The key to the game plan is flexibility because things are going to be forever changing, every day is a brand-new day. You might have a plan that you鈥檝e got to throw right out of the window. The ability to adapt accordingly is going to be key because we don鈥檛 know what we鈥檙e up against. There will be 21 other personalities in there that you have to work with. Something that Wilfred said that stuck with me was that he never actually initiated anything about another player, he just jumped on the bandwagon and did little things at the right time. That means as far as I'm concerned, as soon as my eyes are open 鈥� it's game time!
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Depending on what the activity is I'll always give the best I can. There'll be areas that I think I could be pretty strong in but then some that I won't. If I'm faced with a mission that I think I'll be really good at then I won鈥檛 hesitate to put myself forward but if it鈥檚 one that isn鈥檛 really my forte, I'll happily play the role of an assistant and let them lead. I鈥檒l fit in wherever I need to.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
If I get a tap on the shoulder, then a big smile will appear from ear to ear, definitely. I will then need to control my breathing and remember that I need to control things from now on!
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Yes, I think you have to have one for this game. If I'm sat opposite you then you鈥檙e going to be reading my body language. You've got to use everything you've got, you've got to be careful where your eyes go because if not, somebody's going to catch you out or get suspicious of you. I'm looking forward to it whichever way it goes because it鈥檚 really a challenge and you have to really be on the ball.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
All the way! That鈥檚 where I鈥檓 prepared to go. At the end of the day, I'll quote it again 鈥榚verybody is expendable鈥�.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
If I'm a Faithful, then the plan changes. Again, if I liken it to a game of chess, the Traitors make the first move and have the upper hand. As long as they survive the Round Table then they get to influence the game. As a Faithful, it鈥檚 going to be really tough in the beginning because you鈥檝e got to navigate who the other Faithfuls are and also not become a danger to the Traitors, trying to identify them but not becoming a major threat. As the game goes on and the numbers get lower, I think you then have the advantage as a Faithful. If I am a Faithful, I'm going to try and feel people out really quickly and stay enough in the shadows so that I'm not identified as a threat.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I believe you have to engage with people and create bonds with them in order to be able to spot them lying. Eventually, they always give themselves away. You might notice something odd but it depends on what situation you鈥檙e in as to whether it鈥檚 the right time to reveal it. No matter what your role is, it鈥檚 going to be difficult. The name of the game is survival, and you have to have your wits about you. The person that smiles at you could be the very person that writes down your name at the Round Table.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I think I'll have to be careful with my natural personality. Naturally I'm the charismatic person that would go around the room and chat, which could put fear into some people. I'm going to have to tailor my personality accordingly at the right times. Believe it or not, I believe the role of a Faithful is harder, you鈥檝e got to manage yourself so well. I want to survive until the end, if I have to push you off the plank then I will. It's you or me! You have to survive the Round Table and survive being murdered at night, so any human shield that's required, I'll have to use.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
If I treat it again like it's a chess tournament, I don't think about the prize money. I'll just do what I need to do every day and if I get the end result, then I can think what I'm going to do with it. You can鈥檛 get caught up in the prize money, there's a lot of gameplay to get through before we get to that bit. I'm here for the game and it's game time.
Ash
Age: 45
Job title: Events Coordinator
Location: London
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I was looking for an adventure. I've spent my life moving around, moving cities, moving countries, doing different things but lately I've been in the same place kind of doing the same thing. I'm happy where I am, I'm happy with the way my life is but I do need a little bit of an adventure.
What did you think of the first series?
I absolutely loved it. I'm familiar with the game a little bit, based on a board game that I've played before, so it was even more exciting watching it. Last Christmas, I had friends visiting and we ended up watching it twice because we loved it that much.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Obviously, Amanda. I think she was doing so well. I really, really thought that she was going to get to that final, but she just got unlucky. I think she should have allowed a little bit more scrutiny on her earlier, I think that could have helped her but I thought she was brilliant. I also thought Hannah was brilliant, but she was so determined that Wilfred was not a Traitor!
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I hope I'm going to be different. I'm quite an adaptable, resilient person because of everything that I've done, everywhere I've been, and all the people that I've met. I think I'll be really good at keeping my composure. Even in my day job, I鈥檝e worked in some very stressful situations. We quite often get called 鈥淭he Swans鈥� because on the outside, we look calm but underneath the water is another story.
Do you have a game plan?
This is going to sound weird, but I think the best way for me to win is to be a Traitor. I know being a Traitor means you鈥檙e lying but my strategy will be to tell the truth 鈥� because the best lies come from truth. I'm going to be honest about the kind of person that I am. I think if I can just stay with that baseline, I could probably get quite far... I hope.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I'm going to be quite happy. It's not about wanting to be deceitful and wanting to lie to people. To me, it's that I want to play this game and I want to win. The best chance I have to win this game is to be a Traitor. I think it's important for me to build really strong alliances with my fellow Traitors, because there's strength in numbers. If we can have a good game plan with each other, that will be the way forward.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
I think so. Yes, definitely. When I need to have!
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
It's a game, and if I need to wipe the floor with you to win, then that's exactly what I'll do. That sounds so horrible! I don鈥檛 mean to be horrible, but you know, it's a game and I'm playing to win.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
Generally speaking, I can be quite good at sussing people out because I do trust my instincts. I think my experience of working in public facing jobs for 20 plus years, moving around and meeting so many people, you do get to learn little things. I may not be able to necessarily articulate them, but I know I can pick out certain behaviours. I do know that I'm probably going to be quite vocal, which might put me in the spotlight. I think if I can figure out who the Traitors are, I would make them think that I'm on their side because they're more likely to keep you around if they think you're an ally. Rather than pick them out and throw them under the bus straightaway.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I'm quite good at spotting people I don't trust, it could be about someone's energy. Human beings do things without realising they're doing them. Micro expressions and little physical behaviours. It's easier to see other people鈥檚 faces than it is to see your own, right? But I'm quite good at keeping that poker face. So, I know I'd be ok... I think. I do want to make friends with people, but not because of the game, because I genuinely love people. I hope that translates. As human beings we鈥檙e really good at subconsciously picking up things that people say and do. I think because of my genuine love of people, my genuine love of wanting to make friends and being close to people, will work in my favour.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I'm going to need to be really good at missions. If you don't earn that money people don't want you around. I'm probably better at the mental agility than I am the physical but even then, with the physical as long as you're seen to be trying your best, that鈥檚 it.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
It's interesting, I'm really scared because I don't know what to expect. I鈥檓 really nervous about that. As a Traitor or as a Faithful, those nerves will show and hopefully they'll come across as 鈥淥h, hey guys, I'm a Faithful, I'm one of you.鈥�
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
This is really boring, but I'm getting old, and I live in London. This is my home, I'm never going anywhere, I鈥檓 never moving out of Walthamstow. This would literally be my only chance to get on to that property ladder. I don't have what a lot of people have, I don't have family to fall back on, I don't have anybody to give me anything. I don't have anything to inherit. I don't want to be renting when I'm 60 years old, renting with housemates... although that would still be kind of fun. I鈥檇 also like to help my mum sort out her house out.
Aubrey
Age: 67
Job title: Retired Shop Owner
Location: Loughborough, Leicestershire
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
When I watched it last year, I thought to myself: I could do that. That was it. Then I think Claudia had announced that applications were open and before I knew it, I was on the link. I鈥檇 never ever dreamt in a million years that I'd be where I am now. So that was it really, no other reason. Oh and, to speak the truth, the location is beautiful, that castle is fantastic, and why not at 66?
What did you think of the first series?
I loved it, it was fab. When it first came on, I thought it might鈥檝e been a bit ridiculous with people walking around in cloaks but then it got going and it got so intense, I loved it. I'm under no illusion that it's going to be a walk in the park.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Well, I wouldn鈥檛 choose a Traitor because I think they all shot themselves in the foot! Although I thought Alyssa was really good at her role 鈥� she won鈥檛 be as good as me though, obviously.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
The thing is, I won鈥檛 really know until we're in there and with these people so, who knows. I would like to bring a bit of fun and a bit of style. That鈥檚 who I am, and I hope people like it!
Do you have a game plan?
My game plan is to get on with everyone and to try and befriend everyone. If you're not going to be friendly with people, they're not going to like you, are they? But I know there will be obstacles in the way. As I say, you never know until you鈥檙e there and mingling with everyone.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
Fabulous! I did say that's what I wanted because I love the cloaks. I think I'd be good as a Traitor, but if I'm not, I'm not going to be heartbroken. You could be recruited at another point. What will be, will be!
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Oh, yes. In fact, I bought a new car the other week and I know the dealer and his words at the end of it all were 鈥淵ou should play poker, you鈥檝e got a poker face.鈥� I don't give things away easily. I've got a moustache and, unless I'm smiling, I think it makes me a look a bit more serious.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
As I say, the goal is to win. That's my goal. I want to win. But if I don't win, all I can say is I will do my best and I can't do any more.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
To be a Faithful you've got to be observant. So, if I'm a Faithful, I'll have to watch people. You've got to be observant and alert, watching for signs. I would say I'm cunning, as cunning as a fox. I am a bit like that but not in a nasty way!
How good are you at spotting a liar?
Good, I think. But sometimes people just come out with nonsense, don't they? But then again, that nonsense could be the lie, so who knows.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I think you've got to get on with everybody. At the Round Table you鈥檝e got to work out who鈥檚 going to be the leader. There is going to be a pack and I've got to be a part of that, I've got to go in and be in that team.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Oh, yes! I'm very fit. I love going jogging and to the gym. I鈥檓 looking forward to doing those - in my lycra.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
First of all, I鈥檇 count it! Over the years, I've met lots and lots of people. I often go to Mykonos; I've been going there since 1980. I've met people from every corner of the world, and I've visited a lot but there are some friends that are from New Zealand, a place that I've not yet been. So, the answer to the question is I'd travel more. I鈥檇 also give some of the money to the Mykonos Animal Welfare charity.
Brian
Age: 33
Job title: Photographer
Location: Glasgow
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I watched the first series and, obviously, really enjoyed it. I like that it's different and it's a sort of mystery, whodunnit, type thing. I am also familiar with the format because every Christmas I play a game called Werewolves with my family which is quite similar. I also want to test myself. Whenever I鈥檓 watching TV, I always think 鈥淚 could do that鈥� even for shows like SAS: Who Dares Wins, although in retrospect I鈥檇 probably last two minutes and then start crying. I felt the same way when watching The Traitors and now I get the opportunity to see if I will be any good!
What did you think of the first series?
I absolutely loved it. I loved the twists and turns and there were moments that genuinely took me by surprise. Usually I get bored easily, but this felt very fresh. I also love watching people, finding out about them and seeing how they react to certain situations; I used to watch Love Island for that reason. When I'd tell friends at football that I watched it they鈥檇 take the mick out of me, but I'd tell them that it鈥檚 not about the daft games, it鈥檚 about the politics and how people react in new situations.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Wilfred was really fantastic. Although near the end, it got to him and he crumbled a bit. Choosing Kieran to be a Traitor, I don鈥檛 think he should have done that and he could have got to the end with someone else. But he played the part really well, his acting was great. Amanda also played really well because she was herself and was everyone's friend. That's what I'm going to try and do I think, be in the middle of everyone. Be outgoing, but not too outgoing. Be outspoken but not too outspoken... if I can.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I'm wanting to go for the experience, so I really am going to enjoy myself. I don't take life too seriously so won鈥檛 take anything to heart. It's easy for me to say that now because I'm not there yet! I鈥檒l be trying my hardest in the missions to win the money, I always try as hard as I can. This might sound big-headed, but I think I'll be quite entertaining because I'll just be mucking about. I think the fact that I don't take life too seriously will allow me to bring a little bit of light heartedness to a situation if there's anything crazy happening.
Do you have a game plan?
My game plan is to not have a game plan and take everything as it happens. I don't know what I'm going to be yet so can't have too much of a game plan as it might change. If I'm a Traitor, I鈥檒l need to forget that I鈥檓 a Traitor. I've got a bad memory, so I'll make sure I take notes all the time. Looking at other people's game plans and trying to break down other people's strategies. At night I'll be a crazy man scribbling but during the day I'll just take everything as it comes. If I have too much of a game plan and it gets thrown off course, I'll think, 鈥淲ell what the hell do I do now?!鈥� So, literally just take things as they come really.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Yeah, I鈥檓 excited to do those. The physical team challenges, like last year's barrel challenge, I'd be really good at. I'm not necessarily a leader or a follower, I'm kind of in-between. I think it's because I'm bossy, but I don't like to be held accountable 鈥� I've actually never said it like that before. I'm confident enough in my ability, but maybe overconfident. I'm definitely driven, and I can push myself to do things.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I'd love it because I would then be more in control of my fate. It would mean that I'd be on the show for longer, which would then mean I'm in with a better chance of genuinely having the full experience 鈥� there's more chance of getting to the final. Although I do think that there's more chance of winning if you're a Faithful, but if I get the touch on the shoulder, I'd be absolutely buzzing. I really would be.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
My face kind of says it all. I've never played poker before, I've always wanted to play as I'd love to see how I鈥檇 be. I鈥檝e played card games with family and had to lie about what hand I've got, and people have said 鈥淲e know you're lying.鈥� But that's because it鈥檚 a silly game. With higher stakes I'd like to think I'd have a good poker face. Although, if someone was talking to me one on one and called me out, not around the table, I think I'd panic and not know what to do to play it off. So, I do think I've got a good poker face but I might crumble under the pressure!
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
You have to think of it as a game, you may need to throw someone under the bus at some point. Even when I was watching series one you see that you might have to take out one of your friends so that others think 鈥淲ell, he would never do that鈥�, sometimes it needs to be done. It鈥檚 hard to say at this point because I don鈥檛 know how it鈥檚 all going to work and who everyone else is.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I think I'm OK. I think I鈥檇 be good at it but then watching series one I remember lots of things Tom was saying and doing made it look like he was a Traitor, and he wasn鈥檛. So, things like that would totally throw me off. Even when I was watching, knowing he was a Faithful, I understood why everyone thought he was a Traitor. I do think I'd be good at spotting liars, but you just never know what everyone is going to be like.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I think you need to be hyper aware of how you're acting, but I guess this can be a positive or a negative. So not be too forthcoming, but also not being too quiet because if you're too quiet people might think that you're nervous and you're a Traitor. If you鈥檙e too forthcoming that can actually show that you are a Traitor as well, firing out accusations all over the place. Trying hard during the missions too because everyone will want to win as much money as possible. I think the main things will be being very aware of how I鈥檓 acting to other people, observe others and take notes when I'm alone at night like a mad man!
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
Nothing too crazy, but I鈥檇 definitely take my girlfriend and her family away on holiday. They took me away on two holidays a few years ago and that was really lovely because I'd never had a holiday like that before and I'd love to do that again for them. I鈥檇 also like to put money towards the house as well.
Charlie
Age: 34
Job title: Mental Health Area Manager
Location: Bristol
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I loved series one, I love the game and it鈥檚 just a little bit of me, it literally is my personality. I like to analyse everything. Everywhere I go I'm constantly thinking, looking at people's body language, trying to work people out. To the point that sometimes I have to switch off my brain! Obviously, the prize is great! I love the adrenaline too even though I'll get nervous as you know anyone would. I loved the missions too, they were so cool. I loved the hay bale one... I hope they use the hay bales again!
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
I think it depends. I'm trying to remember the ones from series one, I wouldn鈥檛 want to do anything like the Ferris wheel being upside down as I'm not very good at being anything other than stood or sat! I loved the mission in the church with the riddles, that was such a good idea. Anything like the bell ringing challenge I wouldn鈥檛 be too excited for because I wear hearing aids. But I'm good with other people and I like to think I'm observant, not just with people but also with my surroundings.
What did you think of the first series?
I watched the whole series in about two days, literally. I was watching them back-to-back-to-back. The casting was amazing, I think all the characters gelled so well together and the Traitors were really well picked. I admire anyone that could be a Traitor because I think I would struggle to do it, I'm not going to lie. It's a lot of pressure but I think that being a Faithful is just as hard because you鈥檝e got to constantly defend yourself. I thought it was great and I was totally addicted to it. As soon as I finished the last episode I went online and applied for series two. I feel like I鈥檝e been waiting for a show like The Traitors for years. I love a good murder mystery. I drive everyone mad when I'm watching TV because all I do is try to guess what happens all the time, which is pretty much what the Traitors is about isn't it? It鈥檚 constant mind games.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Do you know what, everybody! I loved the Traitors' game plans. Wilfred and Amanda were really good even though Wilfred did throw Alyssa and then Amanda under the bus. It was just so gripping.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
Well, me! Obviously, I'm quite clearly Bristolian so I鈥檒l bring my Bristolian accent. I am quite bubbly all of the time. I鈥檓 quite considerate and I think I'd be a great team player. I do like to counsel people as well. I think I would like to make everyone feel okay, but at the same time, I do love analysing people. People misjudge me a lot of the time because I'm a bit nuts and constantly jumping around and being a lunatic. I don't know whether people realise how insightful I actually am and how much I pick up on things.
Do you have a game plan?
I think I'm going to adapt to my surroundings and adapt to the people that are there. I'm going to really trust my instincts with people. I am going to play the game because that's what it is, a TV programme. The aim of the game really is to not look like you're a Traitor enough to be to be sent home. But then you don't want to be off the radar because you'll get murdered, you have to find that middle ground.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
Scared, I think! I mean, I鈥檝e tried to prepare for it just in case it does happen. But I think I鈥檇 be a little bit worried.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
I feel like my face will go red if I'm lying! As much as I like the idea of having a good poker face, I don鈥檛 know whether I actually would have with everyone watching me.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
I think this game is serious. Like I said, initially, it was a little bit of fun and just to have a laugh but when you look at the potential prize money, that's life changing stuff. I think everybody's struggling at the moment with the cost of living crisis and I think that's why we鈥檝e got to take it seriously. So, when it comes down to it - I'm in it to win it.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I鈥檇 just ask as many questions as I can. Pull on my experiences at work to suss people out. I鈥檒l try not to be influenced by what other people say as well, make my own mind up.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
Good, I think. It's the hesitation, the instant hesitation, how long have you taken to answer? Where's your eye contact? Even just if there's lots of people in a room, where are you looking? I鈥檒l be constantly looking at things like that.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I think you need to get on with people. You need to be trustworthy. They're going to ask a lot of questions and you've got to keep your cool. At the same time, it's a high-pressure environment and I'm quite an emotional person in a way. It's going to be interesting, but you have got to keep your cool a little bit and remember that it's not personal, it鈥檚 a game.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I'm going to get married. I've been with my boyfriend for 11 years and we've been engaged for nine, so I think it's about time that we actually got married! I also want do stuff to my house. I own my own house but would love to do some home improvements, and maybe even go on a holiday. I mean, why stop there? I could keep going!
Charlotte
Age: 32
Job title: Recruitment Manager
Location: Warwickshire
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
Because it looks quite challenging. You don鈥檛 see many shows like this, so when I saw it on TV I thought it was really refreshing to watch something different. So, I applied for the challenge, I wasn鈥檛 even thinking about the money. Personally, I鈥檇 prefer to be a Traitor but if not, I definitely want to try and catch one. I applied on Christmas Day last year while I was with my family and they were encouraging me, I started it and then left it. I went back to it in the first week of January and now here I am! I wasn鈥檛 quite expecting this.
What did you think of the first series?
I loved it. It鈥檚 just so different to everything else. To have such a diverse group of people, it was really good to watch and I think that鈥檚 what attracted me to it. I鈥檝e not applied to any shows before, but I knew this would be interesting.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Yes, I liked where Amanda was coming from. She was successful to a certain level with her motherly approach. I鈥檓 32 so I can鈥檛 really go with that one! If you look at people like Meryl and Hannah, they kept their cool and got on with everyone, that to me is the best approach. I鈥檓 a people person, even in how cutthroat my business is, being horrible to someone isn't going to get you anywhere.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I think I鈥檓 really good at pretending I don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 going on, when actually, I have a very good idea. I play the ditzy one and I make self-deprecating jokes constantly, and I don鈥檛 get embarrassed easily either 鈥� which I think is good. I used to play poker tournaments and they used to just think 鈥淲ho鈥檚 the bimbo at the end of the table?鈥� but I鈥檇 still make it to the end.
Do you have a game plan?
My plan is to be underestimated and kill with kindness. I feel like you need to assess your group first, you need to get to know everyone and work them out. I wouldn鈥檛 play the same gameplan as everybody else.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
I鈥檓 looking forward to them. I鈥檓 quite an adrenaline junkie so for me, being pushed out of my comfort zone is something I really enjoy. That鈥檚 another reason why I鈥檓 doing his show. It鈥檚 the sort of thing you don鈥檛 come across on a normal day. So, for me, the missions are probably the thing I鈥檓 most excited to do, the physical aspect of just pushing myself that little bit more. Being an adrenaline junkie, there is nothing that will scare me. For me, I don鈥檛 take anything too seriously and the more fun you have, the better you鈥檙e going to do. The minute you start stressing and panicking, that鈥檚 when it will fall apart.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I think my heart will jump out of my chest and I'll have to keep my composure. To be honest, there won鈥檛 be anyone at that table that won't be panicking. I really would love to be a Traitor but if it did happen, I鈥檇 probably panic and then try to focus on the calm. The only problem is there鈥檚 lots of people trying to catch you!
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Yes, just act like you don鈥檛 know what's going on and that you're a bit silly, just play dumb. Honestly, the best thing about women who do well in business or play poker tournaments when you're the only one around the table, is that you鈥檙e underestimated. Underestimated people are the ones that do the best. We all love an underdog, don鈥檛 we?
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
Honestly, we will all still be friends afterwards so I may as well just go all the way and take it all. At the end of the day, you don鈥檛 want to make it to the end and have any regrets. For goodness sake, there鈥檚 拢120,000 to play for so let's get on with it!
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
If I am a Faithful and I think I know who the Traitors are, I wouldn鈥檛 call them out. Unless it was at the Round Table and I was going for a majority, I'd do it then so that I didn鈥檛 look dodgy. Even if I had some solid evidence, it would be better to have that person on side as a friend. I鈥檇 rather do that because they won't get rid of you and then when it comes to the final moments, you can get rid of them. I鈥檇 rather do that because that鈥檚 the only way you鈥檙e going to stay safe as a Faithful. Otherwise, they鈥檙e just going to eliminate you.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I don鈥檛 know, I鈥檓 a bit 50-50 on this because I鈥檝e caught people out with stuff like this before, but I can also be quite gullible 鈥� maybe not in this situation though. I feel like with my friends, if they tell me something, I take their word as fact. But then, with strangers, I'm not so sure. I鈥檓 in recruitment, it鈥檚 tough and it鈥檚 full-on. If I sit and think about if I've even been caught off guard at work - never. So perhaps it鈥檚 just my mates that wind me up and I believe them!
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I feel like you need to build relationships with everybody. Even if you don鈥檛 like them, just suck it up and get on with it. Don鈥檛 be too opinionated, but don't be too quiet. If you do think someone is a Traitor, be their friend, wait until the end and job done! Honestly, I don鈥檛 mind the Traitors getting rid of the other Faithfuls because that鈥檚 just another person I won鈥檛 have to share the money with. I think a lot of people are hellbent on what is morally right, even though the show is called The Traitors.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
You鈥檙e going to laugh. We read this newspaper article, me and my wife, that you can now get your dog sent on a private jet to other countries. You can have up to twenty dogs and they don鈥檛 have to go into the hold. I thought we could get a motor home and go across America eating all the amazing food and bring my dogs Lady and Lolly. That鈥檚 as much as I鈥檝e planned so far. I鈥檓 sure I should be doing much better stuff with it, but life鈥檚 too short!
Diane
Age: 63
Job title: Retired Teacher
Location: Lancashire
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
Mainly because my children said I could never do something like this! We started watching series one together and l just loved the idea of the challenge. I thought it would be great to have a go and see if I could do it.
What did you think of series one?
To be honest, I applied after only watching one and a half episodes! I didn鈥檛 want to keep watching in case it put me off. My son put me in for a Tough Mudder once, we were raising money for Alzheimer's because we had lost my dad suddenly. I just kept googling it and ended up getting myself so worked up that I didn't sleep the night before! Even so, when I did it, I ended up loving it and I was buzzing for a good week. I have ended up watching series one now because I was just completely hooked. I loved it and luckily, I want to try it even more now.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
In terms of game plans that I admired, that鈥檚 tough. I couldn鈥檛 believe that Wilfred managed to stab all his mates in the back, I don鈥檛 know if I could do that! But I think the bottom-line is you can鈥檛 get too close to anyone as you're going to have to turn on them. I used to work in a PRU (Pupil Referral Unit) and I taught some very difficult kids. I learnt there to maintain some level of distance because they could act out. So, I鈥檇 like to see if I could use this. You have to remember that it is just a game. Lots of people cried last year but I'm hoping I can go without.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Yes, hopefully. I鈥檓 physically active because I do a lot of running. Some of the missions from series one I thought I'd be quite good at, like the laser mission. I have a group that I do lots of outdoorsy stuff with and I challenge myself quite regularly. But if we have to do anything like the bridge mission, that will put the fear of God in me! I sort of have the mindset of 鈥淚f someone else can do it then I鈥檒l have a go.鈥�
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
Humour, I hope, and I'm very good at motivating. I've discovered over the years that I can either raise an atmosphere or bring it down. I鈥檓 hoping I'll be motivating and energising for people. Those are my best qualities.
Do you have a game plan?
No, not really. Last series, the players used anything they could find against each other, like when Maddy mentioned she was an actress. I thought that was a rubbish reason to get rid of her because it was so obvious that she was a Faithful, but they stuck with it.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
Awful! To be honest, I think the Traitors have a better chance of getting further. If I did end up being one, I don鈥檛 think I鈥檇 be very good, I think I'd be very obvious. I鈥檇 just have to get on with it. Also, as a Faithful when you have to banish someone that you鈥檙e friends with, you鈥檇 feel bad, but I think you鈥檇 almost feel less bad doing that as a Traitor.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Not hugely, I think I would blush. I thought that last series the most obvious tell was their eye contact, but having said that, I thought Wilfred鈥檚 eye contact was horrendous and he kept his head down which I thought would鈥檝e given him away, especially when he betrayed Alyssa. So, I'd have to make sure that my eye contact is not suspicious.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
I think if you take it on, you must be prepared to go the whole way, I鈥檇 like to think I could do it. Although there were people last series, like Andrea, that I would have struggled to get rid of. I totally admired her, she'd lost her partner, she was having a go and doing her best. I think I'd really struggle if it was someone I admired like that. You have to be very careful about who you get friendly with. I might find it hard, but I'd still like to say I鈥檇 be able to go the whole way. You鈥檙e put into this and you've nothing else in your life other than this game for potentially three weeks, it鈥檒l be so easy to let it take over.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I think I'm reasonably good. I won't be telling anybody I'm good though! Just in case I鈥檓 completely wrong, that would be a bit embarrassing. Like series one, Hannah was so confident in Wilfred being a Faithful saying, 鈥淚 could put my life on it鈥� and she turned out to be wrong. So, I won鈥檛 be telling anyone if I'm good at spotting liars... just in case.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
Just to be me. As a teacher at a PRU I've had to use tactics to get control of a classroom. I'd use humour a lot, and you had to know when to pick your battles. I know from last series that Wilfred was saying he was going to bring people on side and try and cause ripples, but I won鈥檛 do anything like that.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I've not even thought about winning it to be honest. My house building work has doubled in budget so I'd have to say it would partially go on that. I would also love to take my children, and grandchildren, on a holiday. We haven鈥檛 seen much of each other this year so a nice holiday for us all would be great.
Evie
Age: 29
Job title: Veterinary Nurse
Location: Inverness
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I鈥檇 watched the previous series before and everyone I know has watched it and loved it as well. It was a real topic of conversation at work, and it鈥檚 filmed 30 minutes up the road!
I鈥檓 29, so it鈥檚 the last year of my 20s and I think I may be having a bit of an existential crisis about turning 30, just overthinking it a bit too much. When I turned 29, I said to myself, 鈥淚鈥檓 going to do 30 things before I鈥檓 30 that I鈥檝e always wanted to do.鈥� I ran the Edinburgh Marathon this year, I鈥檝e visited Scottish islands and I do a lot of hiking. Working my way through my list I still had two more things to complete. I鈥檇 left two free to see what would happen, see if something came up, if I decided on something half-way through the year that I wanted to do then I'd do it. When I had one remaining, The Traitors series two came around and I said, 鈥淥K, that鈥檚 going to be my last thing. That's going to be my final 30 before 30.鈥�
What did you think of the first series? Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
I thought Wilfred was great! I know he got a lot of hate for backstabbing his fellow Traitors but I thought he was just brilliant. He really got it right in terms of understanding why you are there and understanding the premise of the game and ultimately, that you鈥檙e not there to make pals, although you probably are going to make friends, you鈥檙e there to potentially win 拢120,000. He was outstanding and I really wanted Wilf to get it. I thought he was fab. I also really liked Meryl, she was so funny and just got through being totally clueless of who the Traitors were even right until the very end!
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I鈥檓 fun. I know people that say 鈥淚鈥檓 fun鈥� aren鈥檛 usually fun but I do think I鈥檓 fun. I think I鈥檝e got a lot of energy to put towards the missions. I also think I look like a Faithful. If I got cast as a Traitor, I think I鈥檇 be an amazing. Although watching my acting might be funny!
Do you have a game plan?
I want to be a Traitor. I think I would make a good Traitor because I look like such a Faithful. I don鈥檛 think people think I鈥檓 very mischievous, but I think that shows that I鈥檇 be really be good at it. So, I think my gameplan is to let people believe those preconceptions of me, I鈥檓 blonde and I鈥檝e got the dimples, and I work with animals and I鈥檓 sweet. But there is a bit of an edge to me, and it鈥檚 an edge that has actually been carved out by my career, by veterinary nursing, because it is so tough. It鈥檚 really difficult, there are a lot of emotional tolls and there鈥檚 a lot of adapting to environments, stress, long hours, everything. The Traitors is a psychological pressure cooker, but I honestly do think you could apply that to working at the vets, you really could.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
I think I鈥檇 be great. There鈥檚 not anything that scares me really. And for fun, I鈥檓 out hiking all the time. I鈥檓 up in the Scottish Highlands, I鈥檝e lived here all my life. My ideal weekend is things like chucking myself up a mountain, or camping, or biking, getting dirty, or doing open swimming. So, I feel like I'd be really good at the missions. I鈥檝e not got much fear. The only thing is spiders absolutely terrify me. Spiders are not my thing. But for 拢120,000 I would get into a vat of spiders, there鈥檚 an override in my brain and I think I would just do it.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I鈥檇 be alright with it! I think I understand that it鈥檚 a game. In real life you have to tell little white lies all the time, little deceptions, and you lie to yourself all the time, like 鈥淢y diet starts Monday鈥� or 鈥淚鈥檓 only going out for one thing.鈥� However, I feel like in real life you stop yourself from the big lies, you stop yourself from big strategic manipulations. This game just allows you to be as naughty as you want to be. Literally, it encourages you to be as devilish as you can, and you might get a payday at the end of it. That鈥檚 amazing, sign me up for it!
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Yes, I do.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
All the way to the end, that鈥檚 it. 拢120,000, I mean that鈥檚 not pocket money is it, that鈥檚 a lot. There鈥檚 never going to be a chance for me to do it again. So, I鈥檓 here to play.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I think showing up in the Missions. Some of the patterns from the Traitors are people that they know, or believe are Faithfuls, they keep them in because they鈥檙e good at Missions and I do think I鈥檇 be really good at those. I think I鈥檇 be good at winning money for them. I can put myself in that environment, I can put myself under stress and in the mud, and in the water and up the hills as well, so I think I would be a good Faithful. I think I would keep myself under the radar too. Watch me say all of this now, and then I鈥檓 not actually that good! Imagine... no pressure.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I think I鈥檓 pretty good at trusting my gut. If I felt something was off, I鈥檓 quite good at spotting that. Again, in veterinary nursing, quite a lot of the time if you鈥檙e dealing with a client that is grieving or has faced some kind of emotional toll, a lot of the time they鈥檙e not actually telling you, you鈥檙e reading it off someone鈥檚 face, you鈥檙e reading it off their body language. I think I鈥檓 quite good at that, so I think I鈥檇 be able to use this skill and try and determine if something is off.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
You need to be determined enough to win the money 鈥� can you tell I鈥檓 skint? We鈥檙e in a cost-of-living crisis here! In my job I have to meld with a bunch of people, so I think I can relate to people, I can empathise with them, I feel like I鈥檓 quite personable and people do end up chatting to me. I think I could make a good teammate for sure.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
Well, because I鈥檓 in animal charity work, I want to move to a different location, have a small holding and rescue a bunch of animals. Working in the SSPCA, there鈥檚 so many animals that need to be homed and at this point I already have two dogs from them, I had a snake and I鈥檝e had a hamster, but I think I would really love to set something up that was a bit more permanent. You know, there鈥檚 always three-legged dogs or one-eyed hamsters and a bunch of chickens that need to be homed so I think I鈥檇 love to live out my spinster dreams with my small holding for all of them.
Harry
Age: 22
Job title: British Army Engineer
Location: Slough
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I just thought it was a great opportunity. It鈥檚 a life changing experience and not many people get to say that they鈥檝e been on TV! It will be such a great experience. Don鈥檛 get me wrong though, the money at the end would also be life-changing.
What did you think of the first series?
I don't normally watch much TV, but I got properly into the first series, I think I finished it within two days. I thought it was mental. It was good all around, so crazy to see how it can switch within a day. One minute you鈥檙e in the firing line then the next minute it switches over to someone else.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
I liked Wilfred, obviously, he was great. But I think towards the end he sort of cracked and you could see that 鈥� he could have won it easily! I say easily, but I鈥檝e never experienced it. Watching from the outside, the way he went about it was really good until the very end. I pretty much liked all of them, Hannah was really good too and in fact, all of the winners.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
Laughter, I think. Happiness and being myself. I can approach anyone, talk for ages and chat someone's ear off. My Mum says it, I鈥檓 the clumsiest but smartest guy she鈥檚 ever met. When it comes to work, I know exactly what鈥檚 going on, but when it comes to actual life and the real world, I find something new out every day. Every day is a learning curve for me to be honest. I think I'll bring a chilled out energy to the group, the one who can escape it all and remember that it鈥檚 just a game. Morale, too. That鈥檚 something I do with my job now, I'm a big morale person. Even though it鈥檚 Monday, it鈥檚 a step closer to Friday, do you know what I mean? I鈥檓 one of those people.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Yeah, and I can't wait! The first skill I鈥檇 bring is definitely no fear. I have no fear. I find it funny because I say I have no fears but if a spider was crawling across me, I鈥檇 flip out. I鈥檝e never had any fear; I'd jump from an aeroplane, skydive and jump off cliffs. I鈥檝e done all of it at work so I'm sure I鈥檒l be fine up in Scotland. I鈥檓 also used to working in teams and every day I鈥檓 in groups, whether they are big or small, trying to solve tasks, bouncing off each other. I think I鈥檒l be really good at working out the strengths of people and putting them into positions that they鈥檒l work best at.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
Happy. 100%. I want to be a Traitor so bad! I know everyone says it, but I鈥檝e always said I feel like I鈥檝e got a Jekyll and Hyde in me where Monday to Friday I鈥檓 a Corporal and as soon as it hits Friday, I鈥檓 just Harry and I don鈥檛 want to think about work for the weekend. I also have five brothers and sisters so I can tell little white lies and I make myself believe them first and then it just becomes the truth.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Pretty much, I鈥檓 just always smiling! So, when I鈥檓 lying, I鈥檓 smiling but even when I鈥檓 telling the truth I鈥檓 smiling. I鈥檇 say I have a good poker face in that sense.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
All the way, 100%. Traitor or Faithful, either way I鈥檓 going all the way to the end. I鈥檓 going in there to win it. Especially as a Traitor, I鈥檝e already thought of how I would鈥檝e handled situations from the last series. I鈥檝e thought of everything. It sounds so bad, and I feel guilty already, but at the end of the day it鈥檚 a game and I鈥檓 sure everyone will be happy when it's all over. I鈥檒l buy them a couple of drinks!
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
It鈥檚 pretty simple, I鈥檒l just be 100% honest. I鈥檓 going to have no lies, no secrets about my life, and instead, open up and speak about my life and my experiences. I think that鈥檚 where some people went wrong last time, they held a lot of things back. If you lie, even if you鈥檙e not a Traitor, you鈥檙e in such close proximity that the knowledge that you鈥檙e capable of lying might make them just assume you鈥檙e a Traitor anyway. If I鈥檓 just truthful then there鈥檚 never a situation where someone can call me out on anything I鈥檝e said or start subconsciously thinking I鈥檓 a Traitor. So, my Faithful plan is to just be 100% Faithful about everything.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
In my day-to-day work, you obviously have some liars who say they鈥檙e feeling ill, but they鈥檝e just been on the beers the night before. Someone鈥檚 lying and saying they鈥檝e got this appointment here when they just can't be bothered to turn up to work. In everyday life I feel like I spot out liars, and in relationships as well. I鈥檓 a good talker for relationship advice for my mates, and I have sort of steered them in a direction where you can just tell if people are lying. You can tell the way people backtrack on things, they either add or subtract things from the story so it sounds like they鈥檙e covering something up. Last series you would see people backtrack or leave things out, like they have a girlfriend who is also on the show, it鈥檚 just crazy you know.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
Strength, definitely. The one thing I have seen in the last series is that a lot of people broke down when they got accused of being a Traitor. That鈥檚 the main quality I think I would hold is that I have the strength in me to be able to say, 鈥淟ook, you鈥檙e wrong and this is why you鈥檙e wrong. I鈥檓 100% Faithful .鈥� You need to be headstrong about being the game, it鈥檚 just a game, you鈥檙e not being horrible to people. I鈥檓 there to win at the end of the day. Especially if I鈥檓 a Faithful, I'm there to win it for all of us. When I鈥檓 playing as a Traitor, I鈥檓 playing for myself 100%, whether the Traitors are a group or not, I鈥檓 playing as the ultimate Traitor. As a Faithful it鈥檚 more of a team and I'll get to the finish line for them. I鈥檝e lived like that a lot; I have brothers and sisters and I feel like I鈥檓 very much that big cuddly bear when it comes down to it. I want to be that person who takes everyone on my back so we can make it to the finish line. That鈥檚 what I want to take into the game, 鈥淓veryone, follow me, we鈥檒l be alright, we鈥檙e going to make it and we will work it out.鈥�
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I鈥檝e been thinking about it, but I don鈥檛 have it all worked out or a cool answer to give. I鈥檓 still only 22. I think that my happiness really comes from making everyone around me happy, so I would want to use some of the money to treat my family and my girlfriend. The other thing is I would like to replace my car. On top of that, I鈥檇 also like to use it to start my new chapter in life.
Jasmine
Age: 26
Job title: Sales Executive
Location: London
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I just think I鈥檒l be great at it. I work in sales so I鈥檓 a professional truth embezzler which is kind of my tagline, and why I wanted to go on to The Traitors. I also think that ultimately, I have the personality to do well. I鈥檓 very personable, and people tend to want to befriend me a lot which is how you get people on side. It鈥檚 a game of making allies, isn't it? You don鈥檛 want people to vote you out.
What did you think of the first series?
I loved it. I thought it was amazing, I think because it's like nothing I've ever seen before. It was just really, really cool and exciting and new and fresh.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Probably Amanda, she was unreal. She was just so undetectable, it was crazy. I think she was sick!
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I think I will bring humour and excitement. I think the game can feel very serious at times, so I鈥檇 want to bring some jovialness. I also think that I鈥檓 quite genuine at heart, and in a game of backstabbing like The Traitors, I think it will be refreshing to see someone on the screen who is just normal and not a backstabber.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
So much so, yes because I鈥檓 so adventurous. I鈥檓 just a really sporty person. I鈥檝e played rugby ever since I was six. I鈥檝e always loved the outdoors and everything sporty. I鈥檓 an adrenaline junkie, abseiling 鈥� I enjoy anything like that. I think that鈥檚 where I鈥檒l excel so I鈥檓 looking forward to the missions. I think they鈥檒l be so exciting.
Do you have a game plan?
I do have a game plan per se, but it kind of chops and changes. I think my game plan is to just be myself. I think the people that have done well on the show before are people that have their own personality laced within what they鈥檙e trying to do. So, I鈥檓 not going to try and make up this fake persona and try to be someone else. I think the biggest game plan would be to try and befriend and betray. However, I鈥檓 not going to do it to the extent that I upset people and make them want to eliminate me. It鈥檚 got to be subtle.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I think I鈥檒l be fine. I would be comfortable being a Traitor. It鈥檚 a game at the end of the day and everyone knows it's a game. It鈥檚 not that deep. It's not typically who I am as a person but I just want to win the money, and so does everyone else.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
I would say that I have. I鈥檝e been told that I have. So, yeah, I think so.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
If I had to curse out someone鈥檚 family on national television, I don鈥檛 think I would do that. But within the game, I don鈥檛 think there鈥檚 anything I wouldn鈥檛 do. If I have to eliminate someone, if I have to steal the big pot of money, that鈥檚 absolutely fine. I know that in the last series, when Wilfred made it to the end, he actually just really struggled with the whole idea. He鈥檇 built himself up for three weeks but when it got to crunch time, he felt really guilty. I think I鈥檇 be ok; I think that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 here for. Especially for the second series, people are expecting a little bit more. Everyone else is out to get the same prize. So, if I limit myself and say 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 do this or that鈥� then I鈥檓 putting myself at a disadvantage against someone else who鈥檚 more willing to backstab me.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I think my game plan as a Faithful would just be to try and be as open and friendly as possible. I鈥檓 naturally very empathetic so I鈥檓 a person that people can confide in and go towards if they want advice. I think it will come organically for me too because if they feel like they鈥檙e in a safe space, they might share things with me. I鈥檇 then be able to read people and start to weed them out.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I think I鈥檓 good. Whenever news will come out of the friendship group, I always think 鈥淚 literally could have told you that.鈥� I am very rarely surprised. I think I鈥檓 quite good at reading people and I鈥檇 say I鈥檓 very intuitive.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I would definitely help my parents. We went through some tough financial times, and I would just love to be able to pay off their mortgage and do up their house to the standard that they鈥檇 want to live in forever, because I think that will be the home that my mum and dad retire in. Other than that, I am going to go shopping. I am going to treat myself and then I鈥檒l invest the rest, I'm not going to throw it all away. It鈥檚 a lot of money to have nothing to show for it in twenty years鈥� time, that would be a shame. So, help my parents, go shopping a little bit and invest the rest.
Jaz
Age: 30
Job title: National Account Manager
Location: Manchester
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
A bloody great question to hit me with! I think it was my in-laws to be honest, they were halfway through an episode of series one and said to me and the missus, 鈥淗ave you watched this? Sit down with us and watch this right now.鈥� We watched it, looked at each other and said, 鈥淭his is just amazing.鈥� I liked everything about it. Obviously, we then watched the whole series and it totally resonated with everything I鈥檝e been through. After watching, I never thought there was going to be A) a second series, B) that I was going to apply, and C) I was going to be selected. It鈥檚 like the stars have aligned themselves. I鈥檓 a bit cheesy and I think everything happens for a reason but, genuinely, everything just feels right.
What did you think of the first series?
It was exciting and it was intense. I got to the point where I was thinking 鈥淲hy is everyone crying? It鈥檚 a game show.鈥� But then you realise that when you're in it, you鈥檙e away from your family and you start to understand why their emotions are so heightened. I really loved the game aspect of the show, both the physical and mental sides, I thought it was amazing. Everything was great, from the music, the setting of the castle, also Claudia was wicked. The cast, they also were such a mixed bag.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Probably Wilfred, that little rascal was really good. When I was watching it, I was thinking 鈥淚f only I could be in his position...but get to the end.鈥� To be honest, that鈥檚 what I would like to do. Hopefully, be a Traitor and get right to the end.
Do you have a game plan?
Half and half. I think if you go in with a game plan then you won鈥檛 last. If I鈥檓 a Traitor, I feel as though I鈥檓 going to go in with the mindset of a Faithful so people can see my body language, they can see my eye contact, they can see everything about me and go 鈥淭his guy is a Faithful. So, there鈥檚 no point even questioning him.鈥� And that鈥檚 it, just take them out one by one.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
Just pure energy. That's one thing that I know I鈥檒l be able to give because I鈥檝e never been given this opportunity before, this is once in a lifetime for me. So, what I鈥檓 going to bring is something that I鈥檝e probably never brought to anything I鈥檝e done in my life before. Not to sound cocky or obnoxious, because I would like to consider myself quite humble, but I鈥檝e been very fortunate to achieve certain accolades and things in my life, but nothing, apart from the missus and my wedding day, has meant more to me than this. So, I鈥檓 looking at really going for it.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Yes, definitely. I鈥檒l hopefully be able to tackle some of them well, or at least I hope so. There are some things that I hope they don鈥檛 choose for missions, random things like a Sudoku puzzle or something. To be honest I would rather do physical missions than mental ones. I鈥檓 going to put all my fitness into it. I go to the gym, I play football twice a week and I do other sports as well, all sorts.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
Absolutely buzzing. I鈥檓 ready to be one, it鈥檚 just perfect. I feel like I鈥檒l be able to play it well. I鈥檓 hyping myself up now, I need to calm myself down!
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Yes. I think so. You just have to think of some really hard things that you鈥檝e done in life, things that you鈥檝e been put through, and you just think of that, and your mind goes floating away to something totally different.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
All the way, without a shadow of a doubt. The thing is everyone wants the money, for all sorts of different reasons, so that鈥檚 just going to cloud my vision if I start to get emotionally involved in everyone鈥檚 story and then I鈥檓 going to be torn between all the other players. But for me, I want to go all the way. The last man standing.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I鈥檓 terrible, if I'm honest. Well, to be fair, I might be alright. I'm not amazing at that because when you meet someone for the first time, it鈥檚 hard to understand what their personality is like. Who are they as a person? Is that how they act when they're telling the truth? Is that how they act when they鈥檙e telling lies? If it鈥檚 someone that I'm familiar with I think I'd be able to tell when they鈥檙e bending the truth or when they鈥檙e blatantly lying... it鈥檚 all in the eyes. I鈥檇 like to think I could spot a snake a mile off!
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I think being a team player, being personable and getting everyone onside. It鈥檚 important to form a clique, I suppose this applies if you鈥檙e a Traitor as well. Form a clique of the strongest and most influential people, or the people you believe hold a lot of importance and who others rely on. You have to get in amongst the group and stick closely with them. That鈥檚 what I saw from the last series, that鈥檚 what Wilfred was trying to do, he formed that little group. If I was a Faithful that鈥檚 what I鈥檇 do.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
It鈥檚 a bit cheesy but my Mum has always wanted to go on the Orient Express. After everything we鈥檝e been through as a family, I feel like my Mum deserves it. My wife has also been such a pillar of strength and I feel like she definitely deserves to go. Also, my Mother and Father-in-Law have just been everything to me and it would be something that we could all do together to celebrate, it would be phenomenal. I couldn鈥檛 even put it into words how I鈥檇 feel.
Jonny
Age: 31
Job title: Ex-Military
Location: Bedfordshire
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
It鈥檚 my cup of tea, I love that sort of thing. I did a lot of research on the show and also looked at the Dutch version too to try and figure it out a little bit. I鈥檓 definitely lacking in those sorts of adventures and that sort of mindset from being in the Army, there鈥檚 an excitement to it. It鈥檚 about getting myself out there, I鈥檝e got two young kids, and it would be nice to make them proud as well.
What did you think of the first series?
I actually started with the Dutch version. Whilst the idea itself is amazing, it was much better to watch than I was expecting so that鈥檚 saying something. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through it, and it was interesting to see the people who were like 鈥淚鈥檓 really good at people reading, I鈥檓 amazing鈥� and then they just ended up deflated. I enjoy people watching as well, so I found it really interesting in that respect.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
I鈥檓 an observer. I like to sit back and take it all in. I鈥檓 very good at reading situations so I have sort of accumulated a few different approaches of what people did in other series. What stuck out to me the most was if I was to be a Traitor, I鈥檇 put myself in the mindset of not being a Traitor, and just completely ignore the fact I am one. I thought that was quite a strong approach, in that sense. Other than that, it鈥檚 the whole teamwork, muck in, work together. It鈥檚 as simple as that.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I鈥檓 quite enthusiastic, I鈥檓 quite hyper and I鈥檓 quite clumsy. I鈥檓 a character, basically. Everyone my entire life has said 鈥淛onny, your life is like a film mate. The things you end up in.鈥� I like to light up a room. I鈥檝e had a lot of darkness around me a lot of my life and I think I鈥檝e learnt to use humour to combat it. You create your own stress, and you create your own environment. I like to create a nice environment and I鈥檝e always tried to lift the morale.
Do you have a game plan?
No, I鈥檒l make it up as I go along. I know that sounds unorganised but it鈥檚 a very organised way of thinking in my head. I think very differently and that鈥檚 the way I approach things. I鈥檓 fresh into it and if I was to be a game player, it would be on the spot based on the situation that was in front of me.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I鈥檇 be quite excited, but I also wouldn鈥檛 underestimate it because you鈥檙e going to make friendships with people and there will be some hard decisions to be made. Because I am empathetic, I do care about people, as much as I love to wind people up, I do still care. I鈥檇 enjoy it because it is just a game, and everyone knows that, so that would make me feel a bit better about myself if I was Traitor and maybe it would allow me to be a bit more brutal.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Yes, I鈥檇 say I鈥檝e got a good poker face. I learnt a lot in the military. So, I鈥檝e very much got that mindset. I learnt 鈥淏ullshit baffles brains鈥� - that鈥檚 my favourite saying. I have lived by that and it's so true. I have done so many different jobs since I left the army and it鈥檚 always worked.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
I鈥檓 very black and white in the way I think. I know what I鈥檓 signing up for, everyone else knows what they're signing up for. It鈥檚 a game. Everyone knows they could potentially be backstabbed and it鈥檚 going to be messy. Because everyone is aware of that, it makes me feel more comfortable about the situation. I know that if I made friends with someone and they had to backstab me in the game, I wouldn鈥檛 fall out with them, because it鈥檚 just the game. If other people can鈥檛 see that, then they wouldn鈥檛 be the type of person I鈥檇 be friends with anyway.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
It would be similar to the Traitor plan in the sense that, I鈥檓 an observer. I would try and figure people out. I鈥檓 intuitive as well, I kind of just have a knowing, I just have a feeling sometimes and nine times out of ten it鈥檚 right. Being a Faithful is a completely different ballgame. I think it鈥檚 more of a chilled-out environment, but at the same time you have to be continuously observing and also being careful about what you say to people as well.
Are you good at spotting a liar?
I鈥檇 say so, in some cases, but I don鈥檛 want to say for sure because it could go all wrong. I won鈥檛 actually know until I鈥檓 in the situation because it鈥檚 so hard to know what it will be like in there. Normally, I鈥檓 good at working out when someone鈥檚 not telling the truth, I just think 鈥淗mmm, I don鈥檛 like them, and I don鈥檛 know why鈥� and usually there's a reason to be suspicious.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I would say by remaining your true, entire self because if you鈥檙e not, people are going to start doubting you. For example, in the last series, Maddy was a Faithful but hid her acting experience, and when she revealed it, everyone started to doubt her. I鈥檓 mindful of that but I also did have a bang to my head so I can be a bit scatty sometimes and I鈥檓 worried that because I鈥檝e done so much in my life, people are going to start hearing more and more as I spend more time with them and think I鈥檓 just talking rubbish. I'm worried because I know who I am, but no one else does.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
100%, yes, I love a challenge, anything that involves a challenge I enjoy. Obviously, I鈥檝e got disabilities, but I don鈥檛 see that as a disability, it鈥檚 other people who do. I鈥檇 crack on with anything physical, I鈥檓 happy to do it. I feel completely normal in the sense of what I can and can鈥檛 do. I also enjoy psychological things, I鈥檓 a problem solver, I like to figure things out. I鈥檓 a good leader but I also know when to step back when someone else has some good ideas, I can be a good team player as well. I know I鈥檓 just throwing out keywords here, but I mean it!
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I鈥檓 going to start with myself because normally, people won鈥檛. I鈥檝e done a lot of travelling in the army and I鈥檝e travelled around the world, but I realised that I haven't actually travelled much of the UK and it鈥檚 something that I鈥檝e always wanted to do. I鈥檓 very outdoorsy and I hate being indoors all day, so I've thought about getting a top-of-the-range camper van to go out and about in. Sounds like a typical midlife crisis. Single, divorced bloke... but I鈥檝e genuinely always been like that. The other thing that is important to me is to be able to make a difference to my kids' lives. I鈥檇 love to do as much as I possibly can for them and of course, money helps with that. That, for me, is my ultimate drive.
Kyra
Age: 21
Job title: Apprentice Economist
Location: Kent
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I applied to go on The Traitors because I watched the first season with my family, we watched it all together. Me and my sisters are really close. We then watched the American version and I went through a stage where I was like 鈥淚 really want to be on a game show鈥� but then I got scared and didn鈥檛 want to do it. Then I just plucked up the courage and decided to do it. The main motivation behind it is that my sister is getting married soon, we come from a lower-class background, and I'd love to win something to help towards her wedding 鈥� and hopefully honeymoon. I am also very physically active as well, so this can push me both mentally and physically. Why not try to play and have fun with it at the same time?
What did you think of the first series?
I really loved it, it's like nothing that I've seen before. It was sort of like a game I used to play called Among Us. Because it was nothing I'd seen before it did kind of throw me, I was having a battle with myself about whether I'd want to be a Traitor or a Faithful - I think a Traitor. I really think that as long as you remember that it鈥檚 just a game, then it can be something that you enjoy.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Wilfred was really, really good but at what expense, right? I would sit and watch thinking 鈥淲ait, he鈥檚 so believable!鈥� Looking back on it though, would I be impressed if I had the same approach? I think that he's inspired me in the sense that you have to be very emotive but also very emotionally intelligent. I think I'd play a lot differently.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I'll bring something that a lot of people won't have seen before, which is someone very young who鈥檚 outspoken and not afraid to speak their mind or stand up for themselves. I also like to push my boundaries. I鈥檓 successful at my job and I have the ability to be articulate and socialise with other people, so I think I鈥檒l be good in the game.
Do you have a game plan?
I do, but I think that in a game like this you also have to be adaptable because once someone latches onto your game plan or becomes suspicious you have to be able to react in order for it to be believable. In my workplace and my household, I'm always the little star, the little sister, a little baby, the innocent one that everyone always wants to look after. So, I'm going to try use that to my advantage at key moments, hopefully. It depends on what I am, to be honest, whether I'm a Traitor or whether I'm a Faithful. But if I am a Traitor, then that will be my approach and I think people will be caught off guard and wouldn't suspect me, hopefully, because I seem so innocent.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
I am physically active. I love games, I love puzzles, I love riddles, I love the mental aspect of them. There is one thing I'm not good at which is swimming. Anything swimming related I'm going to let them know from the outset and ifthere is, then fingers crossed they won鈥檛 choose me! I think everyone has their weaknesses and you鈥檝e got to consider the group dynamic and other people's weaknesses as well. I鈥檓 happy to fill in for other people if they鈥檙e okay to fill in for me, obviously. Anything else I'm willing to put my mind to and take on. I really do like being fit and being active, there's nothing that I would shy away from. I think I'll bring a can-do attitude and really push forward no matter what the mission is.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I think if I am a Traitor, I鈥檒l feel a mix of emotions, there鈥檚 an element of power which is nice, but on the other hand, I really think that it'll be a lot of pressure. There are so many emotions involved so I think it will be very psychological. I think being a Traitor plays more on your mind, because it's like, 鈥淥h, my God, I'm actually deceiving these people.鈥� I imagine 90% of people will want to be a Traitor so I don鈥檛 know if I'll be one.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Yes! I think that鈥檚 why you have to be adaptable. You have to have a good poker face and not let people in, but you also have to be open enough so that people trust you. I think it鈥檚 a tricky balance but one that you need. I鈥檓 good at meeting new people and I make friends really easily, but I'll obviously try and keep my cards close to my chest. I need to remember my own game plan, remember why I'm here and keep myself grounded to that and I think I'll be okay.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
I think if you have a cutoff point, then you shouldn't apply for The Traitors. I think the whole aim of the game is that you could be a Faithful or a Traitor and you're meant to play whatever role that you鈥檙e given and remember it鈥檚 just a game. Taking that into consideration, I will be doing anything that I can do to win for the Traitors and shock people. I don鈥檛 think anyone can be mad at that, no one should take that personally. I don't really have anything that I wouldn鈥檛 be willing to do, because it's an element of the game. I don't really see it as real life. I'm going in with my alter ego and will go full punch.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
If I'm a Faithful, I feel like I'll be really good at spotting liars and I'm a good judge of character. I think I'll be able to spot people who are trying to influence and manipulate others, it鈥檚 also easy to identify when that鈥檚 being done to you. Being in a household full of women, and also my work, has allowed me to become a good judge of character. I like sussing people out, I like discovering things and I like being part of a team. I think I'll get to know everyone, do the best I can and make sure that the Faithfuls win.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I feel like I'm a good judge of character in general, but I don鈥檛 know if I鈥檒l be good at that in the game. I think it鈥檚 quite hard to lie consistently, unless you鈥檙e a compulsive cheater! I think when you have similar traits to other people, you can pick up things a lot easier. I also think when someone is lying to you, you find out the truth eventually. I do know that I will be suspected as a Traitor at some point because everyone is going to get that 鈥� it's The Traitors. Once I suspect someone is lying, I'll keep looking for clues, I'll keep digging and take it from there. It鈥檚 about trusting my gut.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
Being likeable and being able to be vulnerable with people, having team spirit and also being relatable. I think that鈥檚 what鈥檚 going to get you far as a Faithful. A sense of empathy will get people to trust you. I think one thing that I'm going to try and bring this year is calling people out. I noticed last year that a lot of decisions were made based on people's characters rather than facts. I think people are sometimes tricked by the fact that someone's likeable, rather than the idea that this person could actually be a Traitor.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I'm really close with my sisters so I鈥檇 like to contribute some money to my sister鈥檚 wedding and maybe even her honeymoon. Secondly, it would be to help the rest of the family. I鈥檇 give some money to them so they鈥檙e financially stable as well, that鈥檚 the dream.
Meg
Age: 22
Job title: Illustrator
Location: Herefordshire
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I just love it. I loved watching series one with my mum, we were hooked. We were gutted that they were only showing three episodes a week because we just wanted to binge it. My mum suggested that I'd be good on it, I didn鈥檛 think I would be but agreed that I'd think about it. When I saw Claudia Winkleman鈥檚 post saying that applications were open, I said 鈥淪crew it. Why not? I'll give it a go. I probably won鈥檛 get very far.鈥� I thought I'd just apply and see what happened and now obviously I've got to this point and it鈥檚 like an actual fever dream.
What did you think of the first series?
Oh my god, loved it. I loved every single second of it. At times I was screaming at the TV, especially when Wilfred threw Alyssa under the bus, but he played the game so well. I just loved everything about it.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
To be honest, I鈥檓 just going to wing it when I get there because I feel like you can鈥檛 really plan. I know Amanda didn鈥檛 really have a strategy either, she just winged it. So, I feel like I admire that because that鈥檚 probably what I鈥檓 going to do. I know a few people were making notes and writing things down at night, so I might try that.
Do you have a game plan?
No, absolutely not at all. I feel like nothing can prepare you for what they鈥檙e going to throw at you to be honest. They might be like 鈥淢eg, you鈥檝e got to jump out of a plane now.鈥� And I'd say 鈥淥h my God, ok! Bring it.鈥� I鈥檓 just not going to overthink anything, go in with no expectations and do what I need to do.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
Probably just people laughing at me to be honest. I mean, if I鈥檓 terrified, I鈥檒l just start singing Florence & the Machine and people will be like 鈥淕et her to shut up, she鈥檚 too loud.鈥� Because I just burst into song at any moment, my mum will sometimes have to tell me to shut up, or people catch me at traffic lights, which is embarrassing!
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Yes. I鈥榤 looking forward to doing the missions because I鈥檓 very competitive when I get going. I鈥檒l have my eyes on the prize, I'm like that in anything really. I鈥檒l give everything a good go.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I don鈥檛 know. I鈥檝e said to my mum that I want to be a Faithful. I鈥檓 not a great liar so I'd rather be a Faithful but if I get chosen by Claudia as a Traitor, I'll probably just go with it and try my best. If I鈥檓 a Faithful, I鈥檒l give the Faithfuls my all. If I鈥檓 a Traitor, I鈥檒l give the Traitors my all. I think the hardest bit for me would be in that moment around the round table if I get chosen, having to sit around the table and be as cool as a cucumber, that would be the hardest bit for me.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
It depends on who it is that鈥檚 looking at me. If it鈥檚 my dad, absolutely not. If it鈥檚 anyone else, yes!
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
I wouldn鈥檛 go to the lengths of throwing somebody under the bus, unless they were going to throw me under in that same moment. If I鈥檓 going down you鈥檙e coming down with me, that鈥檚 how I鈥檇 see it. In all fairness, if you are a Traitor there鈥檚 a high chance you aren't going to win the money, I think the Faithfuls have more chance. Even just thinking about the possibility of winning is like OH MY GOD. I scream my head off at my monthly pay packet let alone that amount of money. I wouldn鈥檛 throw somebody under the bus so that I could win more. If we have to go halves on it, or thirds, or even quarter the money, that鈥檚 better than walking out with nothing at all.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
To be honest, I鈥檇 just speak as I find. If I spot something a little off, I'd keep it in the back of my head for a bit. If someone says something that doesn鈥檛 ring right with me I'd be thinking 鈥淚t could be you then!鈥� I鈥檇 probably plant a few seeds with other people to see what others thought. Point out a few things that someone has said earlier or some facial expressions that I've seen.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I鈥檓 fairly good. If my friends are lying to me in the moment, I can tell. Just the other day I asked a friend how she was and she said, 鈥淚鈥檓 alright鈥� and I said, 鈥淵ou are not fine, tell me what鈥檚 up鈥�, I just knew it. So, I'm good but maybe not to the extent of a game of The Traitors, but with my friends at least.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I think you need to have a good balance with the other Faithfuls. You need to talk a bit, but not talk too much. I feel like you need to be on the same wavelength with absolutely everybody. I鈥檓 going to try and be as neutral with everyone as possible because I feel like if I was to tell one person something that I haven鈥檛 told someone else, it could provoke a 鈥淪he didn鈥檛 tell me that, why not? Is she a Traitor?鈥� So, I鈥檓 going to try and be neutral with everyone which I normally am anyway.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
It depends on the amount of money, but I know for a fact I want to help my parents pay their mortgage off. I'd like to send a bit their way. Also, they really want to go on a motorhome trip around Scotland, so I鈥檇 definitely put some money towards that. We鈥檝e got a little pup, so I鈥檇 have to stay and take care of the pup but they can go. I鈥檒l have seen Scotland by then anyway! I also want to go on a holiday with my friends and buy a new pair of dungarees because mine have absolutely had it and I can't afford an expensive pair, so I鈥檇 want to do that. Buy the most expensive pair of dungarees ever!
Miles
Age: 36
Job title: Veterinary Nurse
Location: Birmingham (now lives in Worcestershire)
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
Basically, I鈥檝e done everything that I feel like is the cookie cutter thing to do, you know? I went to school, went to college, got my qualification, found my husband, had a family. I just thought I鈥檝e done everything so 鈥渃orrect鈥�. When I saw the show, I thought it was quite clever, quite different. It was nicely done. I like that the show has normal, everyday people. There are going to be times when you鈥檙e going to have beef with people, because we鈥檒l get so involved in the roles that we鈥檙e playing. It鈥檚 just that, I'm playing a role. As long as my nearest and dearest know that then that鈥檒l make me feel a bit better 鈥� it's not real life.
What did you think of the first series?
Really good. I was late to the game, I鈥檒l be honest, everyone was like 鈥淗ave you seen it, have you seen it?鈥� But when I watched the first episode, I was hooked. Me and my husband both watched the first episode then probably watched three more, before we were like 鈥淩ight, we need to go to bed. We鈥檝e got jobs to do tomorrow.鈥� I just loved the twists and turns but also the game face-ness of it all, it was quite interesting to watch, and I really enjoyed it.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Amanda鈥檚. Just because she was genuine, she was very genuine about what she was doing but did everything she needed to do. That's exactly what my motto would be if I was in her position. I think you have to be yourself but also knowing that you have to play the game and tell the porkies, that鈥檚 the game. Amanda just played it in a really sophisticated way, I liked her and I liked her style. Even though she didn鈥檛 make it all the way to the end, I did think the way she did things was quite nice.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
If anything, it has to be humour. Humour is my number one really, so I find the funny in everything. Obviously respectfully. Humour鈥檚 probably the first thing that I bring forward because that鈥檚 my norm, even if I鈥檝e been cooped up that鈥檚 what I fall back onto to make myself feel comfortable again. I鈥檓 happy to laugh at myself...and others.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Yes, I鈥檓 more of a tactical skilled type of person as opposed to let's go run and sprint for four hours. That kind of thing...I鈥檓 out. I鈥檒l hold the oranges at the end, the running part is maybe not my forte! I do a lot of team-based things really well. I鈥檝e always worked in a team. The mind games are a bit more me, that鈥檚 why I thought this was a nice thing to go for.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I think it would be hard, because obviously you make relationships which make it hard to lie to these people. At the same time, you鈥檝e got to be a good Traitor. When you think of people like Wilfred, he was playing the game well and you admired him because it was so hard to do. I think I would feel the same way. It鈥檚 bittersweet but I鈥檝e got to do what I鈥檝e got to do. I鈥檓 in that role so I鈥檓 going to do that role properly, I want to do it well. I鈥檓 very much aware that it is just a game, it鈥檚 about trying to get that nice balance of being genuine and playing the game. I don鈥檛 have to lie about who I am, or my thoughts and beliefs, but I also have got a job to do and that鈥檚 why I think I鈥檇 be comfortable as a Traitor or a Faithful, really.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
My friends say I do. I haven鈥檛 told them, obviously, that I鈥檓 doing the show. It鈥檚 funny because I know when my husband's lying but he doesn't know when I am, he thinks I'm quite good at it. My mum says my poker face is good and that I鈥檇 be great on the show. I had told her I was doing something on TV and she said 鈥淎s long as it鈥檚 not something like Love Island鈥� I said to her 鈥淢um, I do not have the body for Love Island.鈥� I am also married with children, so that鈥檚 definitely not the show for me!
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I am good. I can tell when someone is being genuine or not. Even when they鈥檙e telling me what they want me to hear, not the actual truth. I鈥檓 the person people want to meet their partners. I鈥檓 that guy. My friend recently got a girlfriend and asked me what I thought. A good judge of character is very rare, so that鈥檚 my superpower.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
All the way. I mean there鈥檚 no point doing it if you鈥檙e not giving it your all. Last year people respected Wilfred because he wanted to go all the way, even though they might think he was cutthroat. The only thing I would say is, I wouldn鈥檛 want to be greedy. I think the greediness sometimes makes you fall at the last hurdle. It鈥檚 trying to get that nice balance of wanting to get to the end, but not falling at the last hurdle due to greed. So, I would totally go the full way.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
Genuine, honest and keeping my cards very close to my chest. I鈥檓 one of these people who will probably water an idea rather than plant one. Because I鈥檝e got quite a bit of humour and whatnot people think I鈥檓 quite ditzy and will think that the humour is me not paying attention to something, but really, I鈥檓 taking it all in. I kind of hide behind that a little bit. I think that鈥檚 probably what I鈥檒l do, just water other people鈥檚 ideas.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
Loads of plastic surgery! No, I鈥檓 joking. What I really want to do is get our forever home. I鈥檇 like to pay off our debts and get into our forever home and really settle our roots. Whilst everything is fine as it is, it would be lovely to go forward with that and live somewhere in the country.
Mollie
Age: 21
Job title: Disability Model
Location: Bristol
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I watched the first series and I just loved how different it was. It鈥檚 exciting and there鈥檚 missions too. Although there鈥檚 teamwork involved, there鈥檚 also the sneakiness behind it all. I don鈥檛 feel like I鈥檝e ever watched something as unique as this show. It had you gripped the whole time, so I just loved it. I thought it was such a great idea.
What did you think of the first series?
I think it took me a couple of episodes to get into it, just because once you know the people you feel way more attached. You can鈥檛 believe they're blaming that person when they鈥檙e so clearly a Faithful. It鈥檚 so interesting to watch it all unravel and how quickly people start to not trust anyone in the game.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
I would love to say Wilfred because I think he was amazing. How many people could do that? He was so good. But I feel like it does take a certain type of person to be able to be that sneaky. Meryl was great as well, she kind of stayed out of it but agreed with people when necessary. She was always involved in a way but never the person who came up with the ideas, I thought she had a good game plan.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I think maybe a bit more excitement around it all, I鈥檓 super excitable anyway and looking forward to the missions and stuff. I love an adventure, so I feel like I can really throw myself into those. Hopefully, just a bit more fun as well with the game, obviously it can be so serious at times.
Do you have a game plan?
I want to make as many friends as possible. The more friends you have in there, the better. As I also work as a Healthcare Assistant, you do get close to people because you鈥檙e there for them and looking after them, but you have to be careful not to get too emotionally attached. I鈥檓 quite good at building that relationship but also separating myself in a way which I feel like will be really good in the game. You have to turn on people at some points, and that person could be your friend in there.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Yeah, I definitely think that I鈥檓 going to enjoy the Missions. I鈥檇 love to push myself as much as possible. I鈥檝e always watched game shows and thought 鈥淚 could do that鈥� but when you get there, could you actually do it? I think I鈥檓 going to be ok with it, but there are going to be fears that come up that I鈥檝e never even thought of before. Half of these things people will never normally do. I鈥檇 really love to push myself, and I feel I'll be quite good at the physical challenges. Looking at last year, I'd love to try being buried alive and jumping out of a helicopter. I鈥檇 love to try that and see how scared I really am. I have always said that I'd love to do that but when you鈥檙e up there I know it鈥檇 be really intimidating.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I think it鈥檚 going to change things for me as I have thought of myself as more of a Faithful. I think you鈥檝e just got to get into the game, get into the mindset that you鈥檙e still a Faithful until the evenings and when you meet up at night. I think your mindset, whether you get tapped on the shoulder or not, is to be a Faithful in the daytime. You鈥檝e got to convince yourself that that is who you are, so that you can then convince other people.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
I think I probably do, I'm quite innocent looking. I feel like my age, and the fact that I can come across quite innocent, will be really good for me and people will think I wouldn鈥檛 be able to be a Traitor. I鈥檇 say I鈥檓 quite good at deflecting the attention as well, so if it was on me I could point it in another direction.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
I think it鈥檚 hard to say now because you鈥檙e not in it, but as soon as you get in there and you see the prize money you think 鈥淵ou know what... I'm winning.鈥�
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I think just deflecting the attention from you to someone else. As much as you want to find the Traitors, someone going home is one less person to worry about as well. You鈥檝e got to think that as long as your name is not being brought up at the Round Table, then that鈥檚 a good thing. You obviously want to get the Traitors out because then they can鈥檛 murder you at night, but with another Faithful gone you鈥檙e a step closer to the end. You鈥檝e kind of got to get the numbers down as best as possible and try your best for a Traitor.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
My brother was quite naughty growing up, so I鈥檝e always been able to pick up on when he鈥檚 lying and then we go upstairs and I鈥檇 be like 鈥淵ou just told Mum and Dad a lie, didn鈥檛 you?鈥� and he鈥檇 always say yes. Growing up he misbehaved a little bit in school and wouldn鈥檛 tell my parents, but I always knew. So, I feel like I can always recognise the signs.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I think it is majorly the friendships. People can say 鈥淚鈥檓 not going to make friends in there鈥� but you will do, that鈥檚 who you鈥檙e around for potentially three weeks, those familiar faces. You kind of have to have a little bit of trust in people to be able to get through it. I think the friendships will be a major thing. I also think doing well in the missions because that will mean the Traitors want to keep you in, so that helps too.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I鈥檇 love to go travelling in the future, so I'd definitely feel more relaxed about that if I won because at my age, you kind of have to choose between getting your own place, moving out, travelling but then having nothing to come back to. It would be so nice to have that and go and live my dream of travelling and come back and still be secure enough to put a deposit down on a house, that would be amazing.
Paul
Age: 36
Job title: Business Manager
Location: Manchester
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
There are two answers for this. First and foremost, all of my friends and family said, 鈥淵ou need to watch this show, you need to go on this show.鈥� That was before I had seen it and I still don鈥檛 know if that鈥檚 a compliment or not! When I watched it, it was about people that are really good at lying, what were they saying?! So, there was that but then I watched it and just fell in love with it straight away as it鈥檚 properly up my street. I love the activity side of things, especially the mission where they were walking across the drawbridge blindfolded, I really loved that. Then the Round Table with people鈥檚 emotions running high, I thought this is definitely something I could get involved in and, you know what, I might be able to succeed in.
What did you think of the first series?
I got addicted! We were latecomers so everyone was already talking about how good The Traitors was and we got hooked straight away and started bingeing it, a couple of episodes every night type of thing. We鈥檝e started to watch the US and Australian series too, but I also don鈥檛 want my thought process to be altered by stuff before I go in!
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Ivan, although I think he went too early. I thought he was good and that he鈥檇 go far but the slight issue he had was that he let everybody know his strategy and that he was into that sort of stuff. I think the person that I'm probably most like is Wilfred. A bit affable, everyone wanted to get on with him and that鈥檚 maybe the angle I鈥檓 going for. I think it鈥檚 about blending in a bit more like Amanda and Wilfred. If you can combine Amanda, Ivan and Wilfred with a bit of me on top, maybe I can go a little bit further? That鈥檚 the hope anyway.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I think humour is a big one for me. I love comedy, if I could be a comedian that would be my dream job. I've done stand-up and did it down south at the Comedy Store in London and it鈥檚 just mind-blowing. If I can get comedy in there then I think it鈥檚 a really powerful tool to bond people and maybe diffuse situations when they get so tense. Maybe I can be a little bit of a comfort blanket and a distraction in that way. I guess last year there was no one in there that was exactly like me which is a good thing. Hopefully, I can have my own little niche.
Do you have a game plan?
I keep thinking that I should have a game plan but then I also think, maybe I should just freestyle it. The problem is, if you have a game plan and you try and stick to it but it doesn鈥檛 work you might get yourself in a bit of trouble. I think as soon as you tell someone that you鈥檝e got a game plan then you could be picked out. I鈥檓 going to have a rough guideline of what I鈥檓 going to be like inside there, but then also I鈥檓 such a winger, I have no idea what I鈥檓 going to do or what I鈥檓 going to say, and if I did have a game plan the chances are I wouldn鈥檛 stick to it!
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
If I was going to have a game plan it would be for the Missions. Hopefully people will go 鈥淲e need Paul for the Missions鈥�. I love my riddles and I enjoy my sports, I feel that鈥檚 where I can add a lot of qualities like leadership. I know it sounds so cringey, but I鈥檓 obsessed with doing escape rooms and board games and all that kind of stuff. So hopefully I can really shine in the tasks and people will want to keep me around because I鈥檓 making money. I鈥檓 looking forward to the tasks, it鈥檚 the thing I鈥檓 looking forward to the most actually. The tasks and then the Round Table.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
Well, if Claudia touches my shoulder, I'm never washing that top again. I hope that happens because the more I think about what the show is, it is about the real Traitors, right? To participate in the show fully is to be a Traitor I think. It鈥檚 great to be a Faithful and find the Traitors but I want to be the one that people are trying to find. I would just try to be, calm, normal and just like me. If it happens, I'd be buzzing.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Yes. People think that with a poker face you always have to be stern, be stoic and not show emotion, I disagree with that. I think if you can show happiness when you鈥檙e really sad or sadness when you're really happy, those are better qualities. Reading people is another strength that I think I will bring when I go in, because I think I can see it in people鈥檚 face when something has changed. I fancy myself here a little bit. I鈥檓 in the corporate world and that type of environment happens quite often; where you鈥檙e sat in a room and you're being grilled and you鈥檙e defending yourself. I've been in that situation quite a few times before. So, I think this is perfect.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
It鈥檚 easy for me to say this because I've not been there but I think I'd do anything, whatever it takes. I'd even say swear down and not even mean it...
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I've got to be myself all the way. At the start, I actually don鈥檛 care who's a Faithful and who's a Traitor, I just need to build a pack. If you鈥檝e got four or five players that can get you through the first Round Table you can be reading the other people. I think it鈥檚 more important to find a group first and then start picking people out. If you go in there as a lone-wolf people might think you鈥檙e not trustworthy and want to get you out. I think my personality means I can gain trust quick, or I hope so anyway. I am actually a nice person, promise. Swear down.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I think I can see it a mile away. I've told enough myself and I've lived long enough to see the changes in people. I feel like I can spot a lie quite quickly and I'm not gullible. I think the best way to describe it is I think people get a bit disarmed around me because I am affable, I think that can make people slip up.If I think someone is telling a lie and I think they're a Traitor, do I try and become their friend, so they keep me around?
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I think you鈥檝e got to be, or at least come across, as the most genuine, open-book person you鈥檒l ever see. Hannah from series one is an amazing example of that because she was called out once at Round Table and said, 鈥淛ust send me home then鈥�, from there no one ever questioned her. It will be interesting to see where my personality might fit, or what version of me I should be on the show as not many loud characters made it to the end.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
It'll have to be a house. For myself, my partner, our little boy and our dog - I need to get us all a house! We鈥檙e renting at the moment and mortgage rates are just chaos, so if I can win the show or be part of a group of people that win the show then that is life changing for us. The family, the house, nothing glamorous really, there's no cars, parties or holidays, it鈥檚: we need a roof over our heads and then that will set us up for the rest of our lives. Or a Ferrari...
Ross
Age: 28
Job title: Video Director
Location: Lancashire
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
Just to throw myself into the deep end of something, I鈥檓 so used to being behind a camera that it鈥檚 actually very nerve-racking for me to be in front of one. This is something new and I'm well up for the challenge. I鈥檓 quite good at the old Among Us game and I thought this looked like a lot of fun. I鈥檓 also really looking forward to having a break from social media, my phone, work and the rest of it. It鈥檚 a good excuse to tell my business partner that I just can鈥檛 work for three weeks, it鈥檚 a nice excuse to do that.
What did you think of the first series?
I watched all of series one and I loved it to be honest. I thought it was quite refreshing, it was dramatic, funny, intense, really quite intense. Altogether, a very well put together show.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
I鈥檇 have to say Aaron. He was just super genuine and nice. Maybe a few things got to him a bit much but in general, he was very open and honest. I think that鈥檚 the best policy really and he seemed like he was having fun. Sometimes being honest is the best gameplan.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I think I鈥檒l bring a little bit of liveliness. I鈥檓 definitely not going in it to take it too seriously. Obviously, it is a game, and I am in it to play but, I鈥檓 not really there to play a game to be honest with you. I鈥檓 just in it to have a little bit of fun and hopefully, provide a little bit of energy to the camp. I鈥檓 very much a mother hen, if it鈥檚 all too much for someone I鈥檒l take them under my wing and make sure they鈥檙e alright. I don鈥檛 take life too seriously. I鈥檓 saying all of this but I might get in there and actually it鈥檚 the most intense experience in the world and I crumble! But I don鈥檛 see that happening.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I think I鈥檇 be a bit gutted because then I鈥檝e actually got to play a game. I feel like it would put me on edge a bit and I might not be able to fully be myself. If I鈥檓 probing, I can have a bit of fun with that but if I鈥檓 having to lie to people, it sets me on edge a bit. But, you know, at the same time it鈥檚 a game and I鈥檝e done it before in Among Us, this is a bit of a bigger scale, but I could definitely do it again!
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
I think so, I play a lot of poker, so I鈥檇 like to think I have. I tend to smile a lot, but that鈥檚 whether I'm questioning someone else or I鈥檓 being questioned, I have a little Cheshire Cat grin and that鈥檚 just my face. So, I don鈥檛 know. Other people might interpret that in a different way. If I start laughing because someone says I鈥檓 a Traitor, they鈥檒l go 鈥淲ell, he鈥檚 definitely a Traitor鈥� and I won鈥檛 be able to not laugh. So, I don鈥檛 know how it will go...
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
I mean, I can throw a few people under the bus if needs be. It鈥檚 a game at the end of the day isn't it, it鈥檚 not life or death.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I鈥檇 befriend everyone. I鈥檇 try and charm everyone and try and get their secrets from them, that鈥檚 the whole thing, isn't it?
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I think I'd be good. I鈥檓 quite good at reading people and their personalities. I鈥檝e got to do it with my job. Not spot liars as such but I鈥檝e got to work with a lot of different personalities and sometimes mistakes happen. People lie about it, and I鈥檝e got to kind of filter through that. So, I do think I'd be pretty good.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
It鈥檚 a tricky one because I do think if you鈥檙e too nice and you鈥檙e too loving, people can see that as a threat and then target you because they think you鈥檙e weak. If you鈥檙e popular they might want to get you out, if you鈥檙e pointing fingers too much, they might want you out. You don鈥檛 want to point fingers because that鈥檚 when you get stabbed in the back. You have to almost play the silent game and figure out who your friends are. It鈥檚 a tricky one as a Faithful, it鈥檚 probably tricker to do that than be a Traitor and get to the end.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
Yeah, I can鈥檛 wait for the Missions. Unless it involves spiders! I鈥檓 quite active, I guess, I could roll a barrel up a hill, I鈥檝e never done it before, but I鈥檓 sure I鈥檇 be pretty good at it. I鈥檝e got semi-decent balance; I can think on my feet, I鈥檓 quite a good problem solver, good at mental arithmetic, if there鈥檚 any mathematics ones I鈥檇 be there. I鈥檓 really good at spelling if there are any spelling bees, that鈥檇 be right up my street. You never know, I鈥檓 sure it's not going to be that, but I鈥檇 be really good at those. I think that鈥檚 pretty much it really, can鈥檛 wait.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
If I won, I don鈥檛 actually know. Maybe a mini holiday and then save up for a house? A bit boring, well the holiday isn鈥檛, but you know, all the adult stuff.
Sonja
Age: 66
Job title: Volunteer Business Mentor
Location: Lancashire
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I wanted to do something this year that would challenge me and test all of my abilities. Whether that be physical or mental, and I could use some of the experiences I've had in the past. I just want to be challenged, excited and I want some adrenaline. I鈥檝e had a difficult few years so have thought right, let鈥檚 go for it and do something a bit crazy and exciting. I wouldn鈥檛 do anything except The Traitors. It's so interesting, complicated, thoughtful and devious. It's right up my street! It鈥檚 the first thing I've ever applied for, and here I am.
What did you think of the first series?
Absolutely loved it, I thought it was fantastic. I was expecting it to be like other things I'd seen, mildly interesting but it was gripping. Claudia was just amazing too. I love the way the paranoia sets in and how what seems to be a simple game turns into life changing, emotional situations, genuine feelings of animosity, fear, doubt 鈥� the whole thing was just fascinating to me. I'm qualified in social science, that鈥檚 the study of how societies interact. I was absolutely fascinated after series one, I鈥檝e watched all the other versions as well.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
I thought Amanda was very good. Very practical, pragmatic and didn't promote herself too much. Wilfred, I loved because he was tortured, you know, and Theo was hilarious. So not one person in particular but I just thought they were standout characters who were amazing.
Do you have a game plan?
Yes, I have a game plan. My game plan is to knit my way to the finals. I'm an avid knitter. What I hope to do genuinely is knit while I'm thinking. Also, you can knit recycled fishing nets and recycled plastic bottles, so it's great for the environment. I actually want to teach some of the other tortured souls how to do a bit of knitting while we're there too.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
In my career, I've been a business negotiator. My last role, until I had to stop work during the pandemic, was as an International Vice President for a big global company. So, I'm used to big stakes, big ticket negotiations in very challenging environments with cultural variations. I think that will serve me well.
Most importantly, my son, Dan, who died two years ago, was severely disabled with autism and other disabilities, and was nonverbal. Dan died at the age of 41. So, I spent 41 years understanding nonverbal hints and cues from Dan. I think those three things and my knitting hopefully, will take me to the final. I can say I'm really, really motivated to do this because of Dan. It is actually very difficult to get the right things, the right services, and the right care for people like Dan, and I want to promote better care for people who can't actually speak up for themselves. I would like to start a charity, after The Traitors, aimed at knitting in the community for young people to be together.
Dan was so very brave. He had so many headwinds, but he was just fearless in everything he tried. I said to myself that I need to do something completely fearless, at least once a year. This is my first one... so who knows where it will go?
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I鈥檓 really hoping I'll be a Traitor. I think I've got the mental resilience to cope. Having looked at the programme, I can see it's much more challenging than you think it's going to be. But I think I've got this toolkit of ways to negotiate with people and ways to get the best out of people. I think when you negotiate, it isn't about doing a good deal just for your company or yourself. It's about a win-win. So, everybody gets something good.
I think I'm going to find a way to get the best information out of people without upsetting them, and just be totally devious and use that information to murder and manipulate. I think I'm a bit of a crowd pleaser as well, not intentionally, but I seem to amuse people, often by mistake, but who cares. I think that accidental crowd pleasing might serve me well in my undercover activities. I'm looking forward to it, I just want to be a secret guided missile and knit two, pearl two, kill one!
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
Yes, I think I have. In doing such complex negotiations with my job, I've had to not let up. You鈥檙e with people day and night, away from home, in a foreign country often in negotiations, and you can't let anything slip. I remember having to have my game face on, every minute of the day.
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
It is a game so obviously I'm going to be two-faced. I'm going to lie convincingly but I'm not going to upset people. Even if I wrongly point someone out at the Round Table, there鈥檚 many ways to do that without being upsetting, harmful or hurtful. I am going to definitely go all the way, there is nothing really that I won't do other than upset somebody to win. There are many ways to beat somebody and mislead somebody without upsetting them.
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I'll just be devious really. I'll turn it on its head, I'll be the most devious Faithful you can be. I think there are almost as many opportunities as a Faithful to mislead people, to lie, to misrepresent and to confuse. I would hope to be able to identify the Traitors and make them think I am safe and not to be worried about, you know? I think my biggest challenge might be being slightly older than some people, they may not consider me a major contribution to the Missions. I'm going to do them, I鈥檒l fling myself everywhere, they can dangle me off anything, I鈥檒l jump off anything, I'll do it all but I'm not sure I'll do it as well as others. I鈥檓 going to be fearless and chuck myself out there.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I think I'm pretty good at spotting a liar. Because I know myself when I'm not lying, but misleading and moving a situation to place a better advantage for me. I know the things I have to watch out for that I鈥檓 doing. It's very hard to sustain a lie. I tend to lie by omission, by omitting key facts people will fill them in themselves, and then you haven't actually lied and it's easier to remember. I think my tells would be that I say way too much. I might give a bit too much detail, more information that you need, and you only really need to say a couple of words if you鈥檙e telling the truth.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
I鈥檇 have to be equally devious if I were a Traitor. I don't see it as the warm, cosy sort of wooly cardigan part of the game at all, I actually think you've got to be very much on your mettle. People turn on a sixpence, you know, and also the Traitors are there to compel other people and some of them have been excellent at doing that. So, I think I need to be sort of mildly friendly with everybody. I don't want anybody to be my best buddy and I don't want anybody to think I'm absolutely terrible. I'm going to be a big presence there and I bet a lot of people will say 鈥淚 want to sink into the background鈥� but I will be present and noisy. I want to feel a bit comforting to most people, even the baddies, the Traitors.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you鈥檒l spend it on?
I would like to start my charity. Bringing the knitting of recycled materials to young people in difficult situations. It would be fantastic to have Tom Daley and Harry Styles as charity ambassadors too, both lovers of knitwear and excellent role models. I would also like to take my sister on a cruise.
Tracey
Age: 58
Job title: Sonographer and Clairvoyant
Location: Inverness
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I just loved it. I thought it was the best game show I've seen in such a long time. I've never wanted to apply for a game show ever. Every day after I watched the series, I kept checking when I could apply for series two. I just knew I wanted to be on it and it just hit something with me, I thought 鈥淚 want to be on this鈥�. It was mainly the psychology of it and meeting people that you don't normally meet in your normal life.
What did you think of the first series?
I was absolutely addicted to season one. I loved it, I was so invested in it. I kind of didn't hear about it until after the whole thing had gone out, so I literally binge watched the whole thing in three days. Nobody could talk to me. Nobody could ring me. I just loved it. My Mum is a psychologist, so the whole time I was growing up I kind of got the way that she views people and looks at people and I think that鈥檚 what this show is all about.
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
I thought Amanda was really good because she was quite motherly, and I'm quite motherly as well. I really resonate with her. Wilfred, I thought he was hilarious. I think he's got such a fantastic extrovert personality and I think he was so funny to watch, I loved him. Although he did get a bit paranoid three quarters of the way through, I was watching saying 鈥淣o! Pull it back Wilfred!鈥�
I thought all of the Faithfuls had their own little quirks, I did feel for them. Maddy I absolutely loved. Maddy Marples!
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
I do have quite a strong extrovert personality and I am a little bit loud. I've always been told off for being too loud in life. So, I think I think I'll be quite eccentric, some of my views and the things that I've done in life are quite eccentric. I'm very spiritual as well as working for the health service. So, I'm a bit of a weird combination.
Do you have a game plan?
As far as a game plan goes, I am going in without one. I'm just going to live moment to moment and do what feels right, trust my gut instinct. I'm just going to enjoy it. I鈥檓 winging it because I live life like that. My brother, who's a doctor, says to me, 鈥淚 don't know how you get through life; you literally have no logic whatsoever. You do everything by gut feelings.鈥� And I think if I had a game plan, it would kind of take me away from that. So, I'm just going in blind.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
I cannot wait, I actually love them. I used to be in the Air Force and that's the bit that I miss. Doing the mad exercises and jumping out of helicopters and being winched into the sea. I love doing crosswords and playing board games. I love doing treasure trails, I just love anything like that. I don't know if I'm a natural leader or I'm bossy, I鈥檓 not sure what the difference is. I think I'll be kind of gathering everybody up and getting us to work as a team, I hope.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I think I'll be terrified, just terrified. Although you've got to go with whatever opportunity life gives you. If I'm going to be a Traitor, then I will embrace it 100%. You鈥檙e going to get close to people really quickly. I used to go on detachment with people in the military, and they'd be like your best friend for two whole weeks, you couldn't possibly ever live without them and then when you get home, you never contact each other again.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
This is not a good thing to confess but I'm actually really good at lying. I think because I have quite a happy-go-lucky personality and people just trust me. I am good at lying. I don't do it all the time, by the way, just when I have to. I鈥檓 good!
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
Winning is the game, isn't it? I am really competitive in real life. I hope that I will be in it to win it. The only thing that would be my downfall is that I do really like to be liked. I think if I came under suspicion or felt that people were talking about me, that would be the thing that would get me the most. Then I would be straight into the group going 鈥淗i, is everyone okay?鈥�
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I think it would be easier to be a Faithful because you could just genuinely be yourself and you would need less of a game plan. You wouldn't have to watch what you were saying constantly. Or thinking that you鈥檝e told a lie and trying to remember it. As a Faithful you could just literally be yourself and enjoy it for what it is and make sure that people didn't suspect you for any reason.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
When I was a young spring chicken, I was so gullible. I would just take in what anyone said to me at face value. But now I'm older, I feel like I genuinely can spot people a lot more for what they are, and I use my gut instinct a lot as well. Sometimes I will just get a feeling that something isn't quite right, and I can tell by their eyes too. That鈥檚 how I'd be able to tell with the kids. So, I think I would be quite good a spotting a liar. I鈥檝e got very good instincts.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
You just have to be the perfect person, don't you? How hard is that going to be? You can鈥檛 be too loud, can't be too quiet, can't be too extroverted or weird. I think it's going to be quite a fine line to tread, but you just have to treat it as a big party... all day.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
I would really love to retire. When I got divorced, I bought the house because I wanted to keep me and the kids in the family home for stability. I had to re-mortgage and consequently still owe loads of mortgage. I sometimes think 鈥淥h my god, I'm going to still be working in the NHS when I'm 70, they鈥檒l be wheeling me in!鈥� I've given the NHS nearly 40 years, so I feel like I would try and pay loads of mortgage off and then retire.
Zack
Age: 27
Job title: Parliamentary Affairs Advisor
Location: London
Why did you apply to be on The Traitors?
I think I am very good at reading people, mostly because of my career and I want to see if that is the case. I think it also helps that I come from a small, very tightly-knit, Jewish community where socially everyone just knows each other's business. I suppose I applied for The Traitors to see if I鈥檓 as smart as I think I am! The money would be a huge bonus for my girlfriend and I who are trying to find a flat, and obviously in the cost of living crisis, it鈥檚 not great. Fundamentally it鈥檚 a bit of a selfish sort of reason, I think that I could win it if I鈥檓 a Faithful, I鈥檝e already said that I do not want to be a Traitor at all because I鈥檓 never going to win. But I reckon I could win as a Faithful, essentially I鈥檓 just trying to see if I鈥檓 as delirious or as sane as I think I am!
What did you think of the first series?
I thought it was great. I know it came from a Dutch show and they did it in the USA and Australia, but I thought it was very eccentric and ground-breaking. I鈥檝e played games like Mafia and Werewolf with my friends. So, I loved it, and I thought it was amazing. My friends and I started watching it together and we loved it and were hooked immediately.
Do you think you鈥檒l be good at the missions and what strengths do you think you might bring to them?
I like to think I鈥檓 quite a physical person, I go to the gym about three times a week. I don鈥檛 feel like I do though, I feel awful!
Was there anyone鈥檚 game plan you admired?
Wilfred for sure. He kind of went for the ultimate Traitor move which was to sell his Traitor buddies down the river. I thought that was brutal, but it was so effective. When he chucked Alyssa under the bus it took all the pressure off him. Although, he did mess up at the end by choosing Kieran to be by his side, that was probably one of his bad moves. If he had tried to recruit Hannah it might have worked out better. I think he was great and the standout for the series. I actually rewatched it and I was watching him in the first episode; he was so on it from the start, it was so Machiavellian -he was a schemer.
What do you think you'll bring to the game?
If I鈥檓 a Faithful I think I鈥檒l bring a lot, I think I鈥檒l bring a lot more than being a Traitor. I鈥檝e got a massive mouth so I can鈥檛 really keep anything a secret. If I am a Faithful I鈥檒l bring my perception, I鈥檒l bring an understanding of what people are thinking and lies they might be weaving without them really realising it because of my career. I ultimately find out what MPs are thinking so I feel like I could do it with the average person who hasn鈥檛 undergone that scrutiny or the media training before. I feel like I鈥檒l bring that area of expertise to the show and hopefully, the Faithful team. I鈥檓 really pushing to be a Faithful and now they might say 鈥淪orry mate, you鈥檙e a Traitor!鈥�
Do you have a game plan?
My game plan, regardless of which team I'm in, is to strike up close friendships. I鈥檇 like to think I give quite a good first impression, I鈥檓 quite charismatic, and I do strike up quite intimate relationships quite quickly, so I鈥檇 like to lean into that a little bit. Try and get two, three, four people from different age groups and backgrounds and have their backs but kind of be secretly puppeteering from the background so they do the things I want them to do.
If you are a Traitor, how do you think you'll feel?
I think I'll feel quite happy. You have the power in your hands, you鈥檙e probably going to get through a few Round Tables and have a bit more fun being there for a bit longer. I just don鈥檛 think I could win with it though. I know that I would give it away, I smile so much. If I鈥檓 at the Round Table and someone accuses me of being a Traitor I鈥檓 probably going to just smile and laugh at them, rather than passionately defend myself. I think I'd be better as a Faithful.
Would you say you鈥檝e got a good poker face?
I鈥檝e won a few poker tournaments, so I do hope so. But no. I do this stupid thing where my lips just curl up, I can鈥檛 help it!
If you are a Traitor, how far are you prepared to go to win the game?
I think I'd be cutthroat. I鈥檇 like to think I wouldn鈥檛 factor in sentimentality, even though I said close friendships were a big part of my game plan. I鈥檇 like to think I could take out emotion. It makes me sound like a really horrible person but I鈥檓 a compassionate person. It is a game and I think I鈥檒l be able to have the guile to recognise that. I think I鈥檇 be even more brutal than Wilfred...
If you're a Faithful, what do you think your game plan would be?
I guess it's tricky. I was really thinking about the first couple of episodes and how I鈥檓 going to act and behave to try and avoid getting the boot on the first episode. I think the best way is to sit in the middle in the first few episodes. If you鈥檙e absolutely certain someone is a Traitor, I think you should be loud about it. I think you should call it out straight away because if you鈥檙e right and you trust your gut feeling the odds are they can鈥檛 vote you off because they鈥檙e not going to do that, so you have protection, you basically have immunity if you figure it out immediately. But on the other hand, you don鈥檛 want to raise suspicions so it鈥檚 probably best to keep quiet for the first couple of episodes before you know for certain who is who. I guess I can lean on my understanding of facial expressions and tonalities and the way people talk and look. I鈥檓 really bigging myself up and I know I鈥檓 going to bottle it! Hopefully, I'll stick in the middle, I'm not going to be dead quiet, not going to attract any attention and say nothing, but I鈥檓 not going to say everything or give my hand away.
How good are you at spotting a liar?
I think I'm good, absolutely, yeah. I think I can spot if someone is pulling the wool over my eyes.
If you are a Faithful, what qualities do you think you're going to need to make it through to the final?
You鈥檝e got to be likeable, definitely. You can't be robotic, you need to show emotion, you need to be able to plead your case when someone鈥檚 pointing the finger at you which a lot of people didn鈥檛 have last series. You鈥檝e got to be smart in the way you play it. You can鈥檛 play it like Maddy who was just accusing Wilfred at every turn, kind of giving her cards away. Although she was right! Which gave her the protection. I think it鈥檚 about being likeable, intelligent and effective in the way you play your cards. I think passion goes really far and it鈥檚 good to show your emotion. For example, Wilfred broke down in tears a few times and I think that might have been a reason why people didn鈥檛 get suspicious.
If you win the prize money, what do you think you'll spend it on?
It's going to be a boring answer, but a deposit on a flat. The real answer, that my girlfriend doesn鈥檛 know, is I want to spend it on a Mazda MX-5, because I love cars and racing. It鈥檚 going to sound like a really nerdy answer, but the Mazda MX-5 has perfect balance, so I want to take it round tracks around Europe 鈥� that鈥檚 my dream. But the flat is my answer, and as far as my girlfriend is concerned that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 saying. I have to say the flat, my girlfriend will break up with me if I didn鈥檛 say it!
First published 02/01/2024