{"id":155260,"date":"2025-03-11T22:23:25","date_gmt":"2025-03-11T22:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/11\/the-traitors-rules-and-behind-the-scenes-secrets-you-didnt-know\/"},"modified":"2025-03-11T22:23:25","modified_gmt":"2025-03-11T22:23:25","slug":"the-traitors-rules-and-behind-the-scenes-secrets-you-didnt-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/11\/the-traitors-rules-and-behind-the-scenes-secrets-you-didnt-know\/","title":{"rendered":"The Traitors: Rules and Behind-the-Scenes Secrets You Didn\u2019t Know"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Peacock\u2019s The Traitors<\/em><\/a> has way more rules \u2014 and production secrets \u2014 than some fans may realize.<\/p>\n

Inspired by Dutch series De Verraders<\/em>, The Traitors<\/em> brings together reality TV stars from different franchises \u2014 including Survivor, Big Brother, Real Housewives<\/em> and more \u2014 as they compete in a mafia-style game for up to $250,000<\/a>. The series premiered in 2023 but has already gone through multiple changes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first idea was to do it on a ship in Australia,\u201d creator Marc Pos<\/strong> recalled to Variety<\/em> in January 2023. \u201cAnd if somebody had to be out of the game, he or she had to jump into the water and swim to an island, but then I thought it would be too difficult to produce.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the American version, actor Alan Cumming<\/strong> was tapped to host and has guidelines of his own.<\/a><\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Winter TV Preview 2025: Inside Must-Watch New and Returning Shows<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tThe winter TV schedule is overflowing with highly anticipated premieres and returns including The Pitt, Severance, The White Lotus and more. HBO\u2019s The Pitt, which premieres in January, marks Noah Wyle\u2018s return to medical dramas 15 years after his role as John Carter on ER. The series is described as \u201ca realistic examination of the [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThe host is not there very much, and has to be careful not to manipulate the game, influence viewers, or spark doubts within the minds of contestants who are in their bubble,\u201d Pos continued. \u201cBut when they\u2019re there, they have to be kind of a friendly yet intimidating figure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite The Traitors<\/em> relying on a shroud of mystery<\/a>, cast and crew have spoken out about the rules and behind-the-scenes secrets fans aren\u2019t privy to. Keep scrolling for a guide to all the surprising revelations \u2014 and perhaps helpful answers to some burning The Traitors<\/em> questions:<\/p>\n

What the Cast Members Know About Each Other<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Casting director Deena Katz<\/strong> confirmed that contestants don\u2019t know who else<\/a> is on the show until they arrive in Scotland, telling Time<\/em> in January 2024, \u201cYou don\u2019t want them to be able to research each other or talk to each other or form alliances before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Season 2 star Sandra Diaz-Twine<\/strong>, meanwhile, explained on the \u201cReality After Show\u201d podcast at the time that every player was later provided with photos and information on their fellow contestants to help them narrow down who could be a Traitor.<\/p>\n

Taking a Personality Test<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During a podcast appearance in January 2024, Mercedes \u201cMJ\u201d Javid<\/strong> recalled taking a 600-question psych evaluation. Executive producer Mike Cotton<\/strong> elaborated to Variety<\/em> that same month how the tests allow the crew to \u201csee attributes that might make someone a good liar or particularly deceptive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an interesting process. It\u2019s a big group thing,\u201d he explained. \u201cWe actually don\u2019t know who the Traitors are until that pick, where Alan walks around and taps them on the shoulder. We watch how they interact when they arrive at the castle. Alan does these chats with them, sitting down and asking them if they\u2019d like to be a Traitor and why. That has a really big bearing on it, as does Alan\u2019s opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cotton continued: \u201cIt\u2019s almost like a job interview to be a Traitor, and we take all of that into account and decide just before the pick who that should be. We want to make sure we\u2019ve got an interesting mix of characters that will bring their own unique skill set to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arie Luyendyk<\/strong>, who appeared on the first season<\/a>, exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> in January 2023 about doing \u201ca swim test,\u201d adding, \u201c[It was] to see if we were capable of completing the mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Choice Between a Faithful or Traitor<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It wasn\u2019t until season 2 that players were able to present their case to Alan about whether they wanted to be a Traitor or Faithful. While viewers at home know who the Traitors are (and how many have been tapped), season 1 star Cirie Fields<\/strong> revealed that other contestants are kept<\/a> in the dark about crucial details.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew that there could potentially be three to five Traitors in the game,\u201d Cirie told E! News<\/em> in January 2023 . \u201cThat was explained to us from the very beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Drink Limit<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to season 2 star Ekin-Su C\u00fclc\u00fclo\u011flu<\/strong>, the endless drinks seen on screen<\/a> actually come with strict guidelines.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can only drink one drink a night anyway, it was quite restricted,\u201d she told Entertainment Weekly<\/em> in January 2024. \u201cI remember everyone needed a drink from that round table, it was really intense.\u201d<\/p>\n

Signing NDAs Beforehand<\/h3>\n
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\n Danielle Reyes and Carolyn Wiger in \u2018The Traitors.\u2019<\/span> Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThey sign a lot of paperwork, and the Traitors sign their own oath and agreement with us,\u201d Cotton revealed to Variety<\/em> in February 2025. \u201cThere\u2019s lots of things like that, but there was never a moment that we heard when anyone revealed their identity and honestly, it wouldn\u2019t make any sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

The contestants have to stand by the rules provided to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Traitors take an oath with [host] Alan, where they promise to murder every night and they promise to keep the identity of their fellow Traitors a secret. The rules say that they can, at the roundtable, accuse a fellow Traitor of being a Traitor, but only from the guise of being a Faithful themselves,\u201d Cotton detailed. \u201cWhat they could never do is say, \u2018I know that he\u2019s a Traitor because I\u2019m one as well.\u2019 Or \u2018Because I\u2019ve been to the turret.\u2019 They have to be acting as the Faithful when they accuse another Traitor.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cSo, it\u2019s quite terrifying to watch when two Traitors are going hard at each other. It\u2019s also a risky move. We say to any Traitors, of course you can accuse another Traitor, but you have to be aware of how that might affect your own gameplay. Rob went in there, bold, and took out Bob. And he actually carried on for quite awhile longer. Perhaps, if the Traitors had been more of a harmonious group after, he would still be in the game. You just don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Filming Schedule<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arie recalled not getting more than six hours of sleep a night. \u201cIt takes probably an hour for your brain to kind of shut off,\u201d he told Us<\/em> in February 2023. \u201cYou\u2019re there for so long and it\u2019s one of those things where we probably started at 8 or earlier and we probably were up till about 12 to 2 in the morning, depending on if you\u2019re the Traitor or not, because the Traitors had to do their thing after the whole day was finished.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to filming long hours, the costars also give away their phones and any other forms of communication.<\/p>\n

Taking Up Residence in the Castle<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The hit competition series takes place at the stunning and regal Ardross Castle \u2014 but do they actually live there while filming? In short, no.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow glamorous \u2014 you come to Scotland, and you stay in the Inverness Airport hotel,\u201d Alan quipped to The Daily Beast<\/em> in January 2023 about the actual accommodations offered to the contestants.<\/p>\n

Alan, meanwhile, has a large changing room which he sometimes used as a place to take naps during production. But ultimately, even he isn\u2019t able to stay at the castle overnight.<\/p>\n

The setup in the castle also created guidelines for the players.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not supposed to talk about the game when the mics aren\u2019t ready or the cameras aren\u2019t on,\u201d Dan Gheesling<\/strong> from season 2 told Business Insider<\/em> in February 2024. \u201cBecause if we say something that\u2019s important and it\u2019s not on camera, they can\u2019t use it on the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finding a Place to Gather<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After seeing the response to season 1, producers decided to offer players more room<\/a> in the castle, including the kitchen and an outdoor terrace, in addition to the library, the billiards room, the bar and the roundtable room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got two new spaces this year,\u201d a producer told Parade<\/em> in December 2023. \u201cWe\u2019re calling one the scullery [basically a kitchen], and then outside there\u2019s a tiny little area that\u2019s called the folley which is a little stone-covered area. It\u2019s brilliant. You can get two or three people sneaking out there, and you get these brilliant conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Catching a Chill in the Castle<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Several players \u2014 including season 1 star Cody Calafiore<\/strong> \u2014 have mentioned how cold the castle is. \u201cIf they did get the heat working, it would probably be a little bit better,\u201d Cody joked to Reality Blurred in January 2023.<\/p>\n

Restrictions on Self-Promotion<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just because everyone on The Traitors<\/em> is a star on a reality show doesn\u2019t mean they can promote their brands. Shere\u00e9 Whitfield<\/strong> from season 2 told People<\/em> in February 2024 that she was not allowed to wear clothes from her own brand \u2014 SHE by Shere\u00e9 \u2014 while on camera.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey said I could not!\u201d she said about the contract guideline. \u201cYou can\u2019t wear your brand.\u201d<\/p>\n

Providing Support<\/h3>\n
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Euan Cherry\/Peacoc<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Throughout the seasons, Peacock has made sure that every contestant has their own<\/a> welfare team member.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re checking on you at all times,\u201d MJ said on the \u201cJust Sayin’\u201d podcast in December 2023. \u201cThey\u2019re so cheerful and professional. I felt taken care of at all times.\u201d Meanwhile in a separate interview, Ekin-Su said she once cried \u201coverwhelming tears\u201d to a welfare team member.<\/p>\n

Security Guards Keep Players in Line<\/h3>\n
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THE TRAITORS \u2014 \u201cLet Battle Commence\u201d Episode 301 \u2014 Pictured: Alan Cumming \u2014 (Photo by: Euan Cherry\/Peacock)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a massive military operation each night to get the Faithful to bed in individual rooms and get the Traitors back out to have their meeting,\u201d creator Cotton told Variety<\/em> in January 2024 about attempting to preserve the \u201csecrecy of the Traitors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kate Chastain<\/strong>, who appeared on three seasons of The Traitors<\/em> in various capacities, told Vanity Fair<\/em> in January 2023 about how security guards were alway around to prevent players from leaving<\/a> their hotel rooms.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce it was clear that I was not getting the big bucks at the end, I was ready to go home because they ran a very tight ship. There were security guards making sure you never left your room. And we had long days, from breakfast to challenge to banishment,\u201d she details. \u201cBy the time you got to your bed, you just wanted to go to sleep and sleep for eight hours because I knew it would be the big day the next day. The food in the highlands of Scotland is nothing to write home about, but it was good enough. I really missed martinis. I really missed a little bit of freedom after a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Breaking Down the Pettiest Scandals \u2014 and Feuds \u2014 of 2024<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tFrom A-listers to Bachelor Nation and beyond, several celebrities were caught in conflict this year \u2014 and it wasn\u2019t always pretty. 2024 was full of feuds in the reality TV realm, with Dancing With the Stars pro Sasha Farber, finding himself in the middle of Jenn Tran and Devin Strader\u2019s breakup aftermath as Farber and [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Length of a Banishment Roundtable<\/h3>\n
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\u201cIt got really intense, you know, a lot of crying, a lot of pointing fingers, a lot of below-the-belt stuff that they didn\u2019t show on TV,\u201d Arie told Us<\/em> in 2023. \u201cI feel like they kind of kept it pretty chill on TV, but I felt like it was in real life a lot more intense. \u2026 I think if it got a little too raw or a little too mean, they just omitted it, you know? They kept it more about the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Allowing Couples Into the Competition<\/h3>\n
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Chris Haston\/PEACOCK<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Larsa Pippen<\/strong> and Marcus Jordan<\/strong> were the first couple to compete on the show when they joined season 2. (They\u2019ve since split.) But just because they were dating doesn\u2019t mean they were treated like a package deal by production, which meant they had to sleep in separate rooms and were not allowed to communicate<\/a> with each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarcus asked me for a nail file, and I put it in a paper bag \u2014 and they go through everything, you\u2019re not supposed to send anything back and forth \u2014 but he wanted a nail file and I was like, \u2018I\u2019m just going to send him a nail file,\u201d she recalled to People<\/em>. \u201cAnd then I was like, \u2018Oh, there\u2019s a banana. He said he wanted a banana.\u2019 So I [write] \u2018I love you\u2019 on the banana and send it to him with the nail file.\u201d<\/p>\n

What the Glam Situation Is Like<\/h3>\n
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\n Chrishell Stause<\/span> Euan Cherry\/Peacock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI would\u2019ve died to have glam in the castle, but [host] Alan [Cumming] [did] not allow us to,\u201d Chrishell Stause<\/strong> exclusively told Us Weekly<\/em> in January 2024. \u201cAt least with Selling Sunset<\/em>, you get to sit in a chair and have glam. We\u2019re filming from 8 a.m. to the latest \u2014 I got home one time at 2:00 a.m. Obviously, I absolutely loved the experience, and it\u2019s one of those things where you\u2019re just dying not to leave. In the game, I loved it. Anyone would be heartbroken to leave. But that being said, your body is so tired too.\u201d<\/p>\n

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