Amol Rajan, Metro's Celebrity Traitors columnist, has described James Acaster's approach to the show as “mesmerising television” for a most unique reason. Writing after three more eliminations, Rajan suggested the series could be renamed “Massacre of the Innocents”.
Actors Myha'la, Bella Ramsey and Julie Hesmondhalgh have all been voted out, despite being “smart, strong, immensely likeable human beings”. Rajan noted that Myha'la may regret the wink she gave Richard at the first roundtable, while there was “some funny business” between her and Hannah Fry over shields. He quoted Boris Johnson: “when the herd moves, it moves.”
Traitor tactics and the herd mentality
Rajan said Bella fell victim to “smart Traitor tactics: disposing of the blameless”, and it could easily have been Sebastian 'Bash' Croft, Bella's closest ally. He described Julie, known for her role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, as “the nicest woman in showbiz”, praising her performance in the James Graham play Punch.
In the castle, Julie faced three problems: offering strong opinions on suspects, openly saying she was keeping information to herself, and James Blunt leading “a brutal charge against her”.
Acaster's novel technique
Rajan highlighted a “peculiar fact”: two of the three Traitors “hate being Traitors”. He called James Acaster “a very smart bloke” and “a very honest one too”, noting his technique of being a Traitor yet saying he is playing as a Faithful is “mesmerising television”.
Hannah Fry makes a fascinating Traitor for a different reason, Rajan wrote, suggesting she may not relish murder. He described her as “the Brain of Britain” and “the Heart of Britain too”, while Maya Jama's “villain era” persona is built for living a lie. Rajan also mentioned Richard E Grant, “the Lord of Chaos”, who was “sent mad” by the experience.
Celebrity Traitors airs on Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
