Why The Traitors is the best show on TV (2024)

‘The Traitors’ Season 2 is back on our screens and for the last two weeks I have done nothing but shout at the TV, squirm in the sofa and gasp at each twist and turn. This series is peak reality TV and there is so many reasons why this show succeeds so in this blog I will be detailing exactly why ‘The Traitors’ is the best show on TV. However, if you’re unaware of what ‘The Traitors’ is about here is a quick summary from the BBC itself of the show’s premise:

‘Get them before they get you. 22 strangers, one castle, £120k - Claudia Winkleman hosts the ultimate reality game of trust and treachery. Let the mind games begin.’ The game is split between ‘Traitors’ and ‘Faithfuls’. The aim of the game is to banish all traitors before the final because if they are present they will take the full prize money. The ‘Faithfuls’ face being ‘murdered’ every night. Queue lies, deception and drama and you’re in for a huge treat.

1. Claudia Winkleman

   It’s like the TV stalwart was born to present this show. I’ve wrote recently about how the duo act of Claud and Tess on Strictly is cringeworthy, false and intolerable but ‘The Traitors’ highlights it’s not because of Claud’s personality, it’s because of her environment. She is a funny, sarcastic and mysterious persona that is drowned out by the glitter and bright lights of Strictly. She goes as far to scold ‘The Traitors’ contestants about how poorly they’re performing, this is a trait exclusive to the judges on Strictly.

2. The variety of personalities

   This show isn’t your average reality TV programme. There aren’t the cloned Kardashian-esque people typical to Love Island, Married at First Sight and Too Hot to Handle. ‘The Traitors’ are real people from all walks of life. We’ve got young war veterans, clairvoyants, teachers, chess coaches and graphic designers to name a few professions. People don’t appear to come on the show to launch their influencer career path.

   We saw it with Mark from the latest series of MAFS. After leaving the show due to not finding ‘love’ with his husband he said he returned home broke and single in contrast to the influencer lifestyle he imagined. The participants in ‘The Traitors’ are involved for one thing: winning a portion of the prize money and banishing traitors. It’s the perfect reality-game show hybrid.

3. The twists and turns

   From day one of everyone meeting the contestants are trying to suss each other out and learn what they can. Bonds are quickly formed and friendships made. Each person has a different game plan and strategy, you want to appear innocent as sin but yet not weak enough that you let the traitors walk over you.

   But what happens when the friend you made deceives you or doubts start to creep in? “The Roundtable” is such a tense time and highlights the power of mob mentality and ‘group think’. All it takes is one person to sew a seed of doubt and then everyone jumps on the bandwagon. This is why the contestants have banished 7 Faithfuls already with only 1 Traitor being ousted from the competition. It’s absolutely unbelievable scenes - I love it!

4. Episode cliffhangers

   As much as viewers want to binge every episode of this show it is not possible. One episode is released three nights a week, as a symptom of streaming I emotionally cannot deal with the cliffhangers so to rectify this I save up the three episodes and binge on a Friday evening and it’s the best few hours of the week.

   This is such a clever programming experience. With the episodic releases, the drama and intrigue only increases and can be shared with friends, co-workers and family. The show has taken on a life of its own this year with a supporting podcast and endless social media coverage (some absolutely hilarious).

5. Diane

   This legend deserves her own section completely. This Irish accent-mummy has delivered some of the most iconic scenes on TV and it’s only the third week of 2024. I am still reeling from her explosive revelation that she is Ross’ mum. For your viewing pleasure, please see below.

   She has a wicked personality and is an absolute weapon. She puts everyone to shame during the challenges with her athletic abilities and can see straight through some of the other contestants. I feel like everyone knows a Diane in their lives and to see her getting the appreciation on national TV is so incredible. I cannot wait until next week to see what her fate is - I really hope she didn’t drink from the poison chalice.

The final verdict

I’m giving this show 12/10 for its originality, drama and sheer entertainment. I cannot wait for this week’s episodes and if the BBC are listening I would happily watch this show all year. Maybe one season per annum isn’t enough - please make more ASA, it is so totally worth it. If you’re not watching “The Traitors”, sort your life out and get on it. You most definitely won’t be disappointed.