In T-minus three days, 21 celebrities will be entering The Celebrity Traitors castle and, if you haven’t already heard the whispers, it’s going to get rather dramatic. Yes, we know what you’re thinking – it’s always dramatic – but series 2 is going to be jaw-dropping viewing on a scale we’ve not seen before and we’ve got proof.
Over the past couple of months, a series of “leaks” have given us some interesting insights into what really went on in the castle during filming and let’s just say it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. From filming being halted to off-the-scale paranoia and a surprise recruiting spree, these are the 5 revelations that prove we’re in for the most intense series yet.
“Off-the-scale paranoia”
During an appearance at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August, the BBC’s director of entertainment, Ed Harvard, wasn’t exactly keeping schtum about the new series. Suggesting that the stakes will be upped somewhat (quite significantly, in fact!) from last year, he revealed: “The thing about this season is things happen that you didn't think could happen on Traitors, that you have never seen before. I came from working on the US version, and it just shows how many surprises this show can deliver. I can't stop thinking about it. The paranoia is off the scale.
“I really wanted to step in and go, ‘no one is actually being murdered.’ I don't want to give too much away, but there are tears in this series. I don't think that I thought there would be this many surprises in this season… but there are.” Tears? We need to see this for ourselves...
“A recruiting spree”
Earlier this summer, The Sun appeared to confirm that the new episodes would be unlike anything we’ve seen before, reporting that there will be something of a recruiting spree from our new celebrity contestants. A source told the publication: “Those working on the programme were quite shocked by the approach adopted by the core Traitors. They went on a recruiting spree that has never been seen on either the celebrity or the ‘civilian’ version of the show in the UK.
They added: “Last year, the original three Traitors secretly selected by Claudia remained as a trio throughout the competition - which turned out to be a winning approach. But on the follow-up series, all that changes. There's a thrilling shift in the balance of power. Even though the whole programme is based on skullduggery, nobody thought it would reach these levels.” Ooh err!
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“Quite intense to film”
Fans of the show may remember that in September, Richard Osman did a live recording of his podcast, The Rest is Entertainment, and fooled us all into believing that The Celebrity Traitors would be returning later that month. It was, in fact, false information. But during the same discussion, series 1 star Joe Marler also had something interesting to say about the new series.
When Richard said he’d heard the new series was “quite intense” to film, Joe Marler responded: “I believe it was a slightly different emotion than our experience," said Joe. "Ours was very laugh-led, and everyone was sort of enjoying catching up, you know, pratting about to the point where they [the producers] went: ‘Guys, we’re trying to play a game.’
“Whereas this lot really want it from the start, and then I guess they see how well the first series has gone and there’s a little bit of pressure on them to be like: ‘Oh, I’d quite like a bit of that.’”
Intriguing! If Joe’s comments are anything to go by, it's safe to say we're in for a series with far more treachery than ever before.
“Filming was halted”
Yes, you read the above quote correctly. Fans of the show will know quite how stressful The Celebrity Traitors can be to watch – but what about how stressful it is to film? According to The Sun, comedian James Acaster became particularly anxious during filming, which prompted producers to halt filming.
The Sun’s source allegedly said: “The show is incredibly intense and during one particular scene at the castle, James became very anxious and panicked. Some of the other celebrities on the show spoke up and said cameras should stop rolling so he could calm down, and production were in agreement as well.
“Everyone looks out for each other and there is a proper sense of camaraderie. It was good for James to have a breather, as everyone felt it was for the best. The break didn’t affect the outcome of the game at all, but showed just how passionate and tense everyone on set was. It’s easy to become fully immersed.”
We’re just pleased James is stlill smiling…
“Mind-blowing twists”
Now, for our final leak. You might not be aware that ahead of the series launching, a private screening takes place with members of the cast and crew as well as selected members of the press. While their reactions are strictly embargoed, not everyone has managed to aboid hints altogether.
According to a journalist at Metro, who was one of the select few invited to watch the first episode, we can “expect the unexpected” and some “absolutely mind-blowing twists that have never been seen before”.
Fortunately, they revealed that there are plenty of laughs to be found in the new series, too. In fact, even Claudia had to break character as she was laughing so much, apparently! As if we needed any more incentive to tune in…
The Celebrity Traitors will premiere on Thursday 1st October at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
