The Traitors to Leave Behind Secret Traitor Twist in Upcoming Seasons
In a significant shift for the popular murder mystery series The Traitors, the forthcoming season will forego the recently introduced Secret Traitor twist. This decision was revealed by Stephen Lambert, the founder of Studio Lambert, which produces both the U.S. and UK versions of the show. During a recent discussion at an event hosted by the University of East Anglia, Lambert expressed confidence in the enduring strength of the show’s original format.
Lambert emphasized that the concept of a Secret Traitor had been a temporary experiment. Initially implemented to distinguish the latest UK season from its celebrity spin-off, the twist did not receive an overwhelmingly positive reaction from viewers, particularly regarding its brief inclusion in the U.S. version. “We introduced the idea of a Secret Traitor as a way of doing something different, but it was not something we intended to maintain,” Lambert stated, highlighting that the core appeal of the series lies in its ability to keep both contestants and audiences in suspense regarding the identities of the Traitors.
The Traitors has been produced back-to-back in its U.S. and UK iterations at a picturesque Scottish castle, which has facilitated a streamlined production process. This strategy not only helps lower overall costs but also allows for the replication of game challenges across both formats.
In the latest seasons, audiences enjoyed being placed in the same uncertain position as the Faithful contestants, observing interactions with a sense of intrigue. However, Lambert noted that this approach often leads to unsatisfying outcomes for viewers, who may feel manipulated by the editing.
Looking ahead, Lambert confirmed that new seasons of both the U.S. and UK versions of The Traitors are slated for release in 2027, with filming expected to commence soon in Scotland. The upcoming slate also includes a season featuring civilian contestants for the U.S. version and a second installment of Celebrity Traitors for the UK.
As the show continues to evolve, Lambert remains optimistic about its longevity, asserting that “a good format is designed to foster familiarity.” This balance of consistency and fresh elements, he believes, is key to keeping audiences engaged.
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Tom Phillips is the News Editor at IGN. He can be reached at tom_phillips@ign.com or followed on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social.
Source: Original Source
