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When the first all-celebrity version of “The Traitors” was cast on Peacock, executive producer Sam Rees-Jones remarked, “It did feel like the Avengers assembling.” Executive producer Mike Cotton stated, “We knew in Season 2 that we wanted to assemble an all-celebrity cast knowing that would create a buzz as well and would help build on the success of Season 1.”
The pair, who are based in the UK, revealed to IndieWire over Zoom that they had made another significant change to the way the episodes were aired for the second season of the reality competition series, in which “faithful” contestants attempt to identify those who are traitors before the latter take all the money they have earned from finishing missions.
“Season 1 was published in batches, therefore they were all sold out at once. In contrast, Season 2 had a weekly release, which we adored as it fostered anticipation, social conversations, and talks, according to Rees-Jones. It resembled an event that viewers were anticipating and analysing, either the programme or the players and what they had done or planned to do next.
Cotton stated, “We could see all that social chat, so we knew it was a hit.” The buzz was visible. We adore how the anticipation for its Thursday release is palpable, as is the social media buzz that ensues—from memes to articles to posts on X and Instagram.
“The Traitors,” which took up the Emmy for Outstanding Casting for a Reality Programme the previous season, is more dependent on the players they bring in to compete than most competition series. When the cast is on the floor, we don’t manufacture them at all. They are free to roam about in this immersive bubble that we constructed,” Cotton remarked. Absolutely, there are some surprises, but they are all well planned ahead of time, just as when you write a murder mystery for yourself. We are aware that they occur and are subsequently released.
Phaedra Parks, a former cast member of “Real Housewives of Atlanta,” is arguably the season’s breakthrough star after she said the famous “Lord, not Ekin-Su” line. Rees-Jones recounted the moment she discovered her fellow traitor, “Survivor” all-star Parvati Shallow, had unintentionally put a poison chalice on “Love Island” Season 8 winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu. “Our American counterparts say people were saying it in the streets,” Rees-Jones remarked. “I recall that at the time, we were watching brunch, and occasionally we would watch with our fingernails buried in our teeth, wondering what would happen next.But the delight of witnessing that breakfast come to pass and Phaedra’s ignorance of Parvati’s murder of Ekin-Su. It was entertaining to witness Ekin-Su arrive and show signs of having poison in her system, all while being a programme maker.
It demonstrated how the producers might force important choices on the competitors, yet even they are clueless as to how the game will end. Cotton concurred with his fellow producer when he replied, “That’s also what makes it so thrilling, right? The biggest star ever may be signed up to go on the show, and on day one, they could be killed by the traitors—which is exactly what happens. I adore that the network permits us to do that as well; they exhibit a great deal of bravery in accepting that this is the rules and that we must play them.
Nonetheless, there are instances in the game where prejudice and exclusion are real-world problems. For example, Peppermint, a Black transgender star from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” was the first participant to be banished in Season 2. She had an awkward meeting with Trishelle Cannatella, the eventual winner, which escalated into accusations that she was a traitor. “Isn’t that difficult? Because judgement is a theme in this show,” Cotton added. Having seen numerous iterations of the show, people in those early episodes would base their decision to prohibit someone on the tiniest detail. Indeed, it is possible that there is unconscious bias present in that. In my opinion, Peppermint made a mistake in the kitchen when she exclaimed, “I’m a traitor.” It’s clear that her speech was slurred, but some of the competitors took offence at that. And some will seize onto a small detail and utilise it as justification to exile someone.
Cotton responded, “But then, I guess that’s also reflective of society, right?” “In any situation. If a jury or some similar body was involved. And since it provides insight into people’s psyches, I think that’s very interesting.
Rees-Jones claims that they approach show casting in a manner akin to that of assembling a jury. “The round table is the beating heart of our show,” he remarked. “You want a diverse group of people who will bring a range of experiences and skill sets to the table. It’s interesting to watch a housewife take on a British politician because she has unique abilities.” Thus, that’s crucial for our casting. Additionally, although though presenter Alan Cumming initially chooses which contestants are traitors, any competitor could become a traitor in the end based on how the game develops over the course of the season.
Regarding the Scottish actor who is nominated for an Emmy, the producers believe that Cumming is perhaps the most distinctive feature of the American adaptation of “The Traitors” (which is based on the Dutch series “De Verraders,” the idea has been adapted into over a dozen other countries). Rees-Jones stated that “as soon as you throw Alan Cumming into the mix, it makes a completely different show, a different space, and a different world.” “Having him as a reality TV host is fantastic because it immerses us even further in the universe we’ve created. He’s an actor and dramatist. Additionally, there is accuracy in the way he delivers the lines and is fully invested in the script. We love it, but he sees it as a show. The presentation is enhanced and elevated by the fact that he is quoting Plato and Shakespeare, which is interwoven with the scene, and that he is costumed as Queen Victoria during the funeral march.
Cotton said, “The game is pretty dark, isn’t it?” The objective of the game is to murder and expel individuals. I believe that [Alan] gives it a cosy, playful vibe that really ups the enjoyment factor of the show. thus you wouldn’t want it to be overly dim. I adore how the dark subjects are balanced in such a campy, humorous manner.
One may argue that the competitors contribute to that as well, particularly when an ordinary moment, like Mercedes Javid, a former “Shahs of Sunset” star, stumbles out of a room and becomes a fan favourite. Rees-Jones explained why they are committed to keeping the upcoming third season’s all-celebrity cast: “We love having preconceptions of people and then either breaking those preconceptions or cementing those preconceptions.” Regarding the next categories of competitors, “I would love musicians, I would love actors.” A sports person would be wonderful. Someone from “Vanderpump Rules” would be amazing, Cotton remarked. “And the show’s greatest feature is that you can draw viewers in from anywhere.”
Just as the show brought back “Below Deck” star and Season 1 breakout Kate Chastain this year, there is a chance that someone like Johnny Bananas, the first contestant killed by the traitors in Season 2, will make a Season 3 comeback. However, the producers have tight guidelines regarding returnees. It’s crucial to note that if someone is killed or exiled during that season, they are forever lost. In the event that a character from the programme is killed off in episode two, they do not reappear in episode six of that season. Cotton remarked, “You’re treated like you’ve been murdered, like you’re gone.” “And after you are exiled from that castle, everything remains the same. You are exiled indefinitely.
Peac offers Season 2 of “The Traitors” for streaming.
