BBC casting directors are reportedly on high alert after A-list actor Tom Hiddleston expressed keen interest in appearing on the next series of The Celebrity Traitors. The revelation has sent waves of excitement through the corporation following the show's phenomenal ratings success.
Hiddleston's Traitors Ambition
During a recent chat on BBC Radio 2 with presenter Richie Anderson, the 44-year-old Hollywood star, a self-confessed superfan, revealed the idea of heading to Ardross Castle for the celebrity edition holds a strong appeal. He lavished praise on the format, calling it "the most ingenious thing" and "completely compulsive," even suggesting it might be "the best television I've ever seen."
While many contestants in the latest civilian series, which launched on New Year's Day, were desperate to be selected as traitors, Hiddleston has a different strategy in mind. He stated a clear preference for the role of a faithful, explaining it would allow him to play detective with a clear conscience. "Your heart is pure, and you're just watching and trying to figure people out," he said.
He contrasted this with the traitor's role, which he described as more of an "acting exercise" involving constant deception. "It would be interesting though. I don't know, I think being a faithful would be more of a curiosity scratcher somehow," Hiddleston mused.
A Ratings Juggernaut for the BBC
The actor's interest is a major coup for the BBC, as the debut celebrity series proved to be one of the broadcaster's biggest commercial triumphs of the year. Airing last October, it pulled in a staggering average of 13 million viewers per episode. The series was ultimately won by comedian Alan Carr.
The show's fourth civilian series is now airing, hot on the heels of that celebrity spin-off. The latest episodes have already delivered high drama. In Friday night's instalment, faithful Judy, a 60-year-old child liaison officer, was banished after a tense roundtable where account manager Sam voiced suspicions about her.
Her emotional exit speech, where she affirmed "I am a faithful," left the remaining contestants shocked. Fellow player Roxy expressed frustration, urging others to "stop going with the herd mentality."
Murder, Shields, and a Secret Traitor
The episode also saw nursery teacher Netty become the first faithful to be murdered by the traitors. The Glasgow-based contestant, 42, said she was "gutted" and believed she would have been a good faithful.
The traitors—barrister Hugo, communications head Rachel, and cyber security consultant Stephen—chose Netty after receiving a shortlist from the new secret traitor. This mysterious figure, whose identity is hidden from everyone including viewers, was introduced by host Claudia Winkleman as a major new twist.
The secret traitor had whittled potential victims down to retiree Ben, sweet shop assistant Reece, and, for a second night, civil servant Maz. The known traitors speculated the secret member must be a woman, with Rachel noting the shortlist contained "three males."
Elsewhere, contestants successfully added £8,750 to the prize pot in a challenge, while three players—Amanda, internal auditor Faraaz, and PhD student Jade—won protective shields, making them immune from the next murder.
The Traitors continues on BBC One and iPlayer on January 8 at 7.45pm.
