The Traitors' Shocking Twists: Did Danielle Break the Rules?

In “The Traitors,” the goal is usually to unmask those within the group who are pretending their true identities. However, in Season 3 of this Peacock show, the Traitors’ most formidable adversaries turned out to be none other than themselves.

Executive producer Sam Rees-Jones shares with EbMaster that they couldn’t have foreseen how this season would unfold. They never dreamed up the plot twists, the tales, or the character dynamics that materialized. Filming it was enjoyable, watching it is enjoyable, and seeing people respond to it has been equally delightful.

During our conversation, only seven players are left in the game as of now: The ninth episode, titled “A Silent Assassin,” concluded with Traitor Carolyn Wiger getting banished, and Traitor Danielle Reyes being required to seek out a new ally. She opted for Britney Haynes, so we’ll have to wait until the episode on February 27th to see if Britney agrees to join forces with her.

After being expelled from the Big Brother house, Carolyn claimed in interviews that Danielle had violated the game’s rules and informed Britney that Danielle was a traitor. Could it be possible that Danielle’s fellow contestant was aware of this all along?

In this piece, Rees-Jones along with co-executive producer Mike Cotton respond to various intriguing queries we have posed – ranging from whether actors sign confidentiality agreements, if Britney was aware of Danielle, to the creative process behind those amusing nighttime montages.

Can you break down how you, along with Alan Cumming, chose this season’s Traitors?

Mike Cotton: Year after year, it’s always the same routine: Here’s Alan, here’s our group, and then there’s the network. We all sit down to decide on who should be the Traitors as their role significantly influences the whole season. This time around was a bit unique. There were quite a few gamers among the participants this year. To start off the season, the contestants had the choice between keeping Rob [Mariano] or swapping him out for someone else. Our strategy had always been that whoever was swapped would ultimately be the Traitor. So we didn’t know if it would be Rob who ended up as a Traitor; we assumed they might swap someone else instead. Ultimately, whether they chose Rob or not was their own decision.

Wow, so it wasn’t the plan when you cast Boston Rob for him to be a Traitor.

Cotton: It was like flipping a coin since there were numerous rivalries at the beginning of the season, leading me to believe one of the “Survivor” participants might replace someone, but that didn’t happen. Consequently, we were uncertain about the outcome. Thus, a great deal of confusion followed.

Chaotic is a great way to describe this season’s Traitors! How do you feel about Danielle’s gameplay?

We encourage discussion – some viewers find her acting exceptional, while others feel it’s too exaggerated. What we aim for, as content creators, is to ignite conversation among the audience.

She’s admitted that her gameplay wasn’t always perfect, and while some have voiced criticism, others haven’t questioned her integrity, suggesting that she must be doing something correctly concurrently.

Like you said, you’re making a TV show. It has to be good TV. Was there any time you wished someone had lasted longer because they’re more entertaining?

Rees-Jones: At times, we find ourselves saying, “That’s too bad they’re leaving so soon.” The truth is, we’ve lost control over the sequence of events, and it’s unsettling not to have control over the order of boots. Occasionally, people may be eliminated or banished when we don’t intend for them to be. When that happens, we must adapt as creators, and all we can do is hope that viewers will grow fond of new narratives or characters. Naturally, Dorinda Medley leaving in Episode 1 was disappointing for us.

As an ardent admirer, I truly believe everyone should own their unique narrative. Much like Dorinda, many Housewives ventured out on their own journeys – a move that could potentially lead to one’s departure. However, we don’t dictate who gets excluded or ends up in unfavorable circumstances; all we can do is adapt and keep moving forward with the flow of events.

Rees-Jones: Typically, we record an episode per day. By the end of each day, events have progressed so rapidly that we’re already focusing on the following incident – be it another betrayal, act of deceit, or intricate relationship aspect.

Speaking of that, the Traitors almost immediately turned on each other. Were you worried that would change the format of the show, since it’s supposed to be Faithfuls vs. Traitors?

Cotton: Absolutely, you’ve hit the nail on the head! The entire concept of the show revolves around Traitors versus Loyalists. I must say, the Traitors were quite united until Rob targeted Bob the Drag Queen, which caused a significant shift in dynamics. Was it nerve-wracking? Indeed! The confrontation between Rob and Bob was quite intense for us, as it had the potential to disrupt everything. Yet, that’s what makes it exciting. I appreciate the fact that this season is unique. I appreciate the intrigue surrounding those turrets, and they’ve given the entire show a fresh perspective.

Rees-Jones: The cast of characters and traitors who appeared during Season 3 had a distinct narrative, a unique mood, and it was exclusive to this season. That’s what we appreciate about the structure, that’s what we enjoy about producing the show. It’s always changing. We’re just enjoying the journey.

Cotton: We didn’t expect these individuals to quarrel, but rather to showcase their strategic thinking by collaborating. Surprisingly, what we observed was more conflict than cooperation among them. It seems they were unable to work harmoniously at times.

You just said there is a worry this could implode. Bob could have blown up Rob’s identity as a Traitor when Rob started coming for him at that roundtable. What are the rules for what the Traitors can and can’t say?

Cotton: This question is often asked! In this game, the Traitors swear an oath with Alan and vow to kill each night while keeping the identities of their fellow traitors hidden. The rules allow them to accuse a fellow player of being a Traitor at the table, but only when pretending to be Faithful themselves. They can’t reveal that they are Traitors or have knowledge about the turret. Instead, they must act as Faithful when accusing another Traitor. It’s nerve-wracking to watch two Traitors attack each other since it’s a risky move. We always warn Traitors that they can certainly accuse others, but they should be mindful of how this might impact their own gameplay. Rob made a bold move by taking out Bob and continued for quite some time. If the Traitors had worked together better after this, he might still be in the game. The outcome is always uncertain.

OK, they can’t tell them at the table… but what about elsewhere? Carolyn has claimed that Danielle told Britney and maybe Dylan Efron that she’s a Traitor.

Cotton: Frankly, I think that theory is quite absurd. We’re constantly monitoring everything that takes place within the castle, as they’re either filming or in their private quarters. There wasn’t a single instance where any of us overheard Danielle confess to Britney or anyone else about being a Traitor. Moreover, such an action would be extremely reckless, as it would immediately eliminate you from the game. I struggle to imagine why anyone would ever make such a move.

Do they sign NDAs saying they can’t?

Cotton: They go through numerous documents, while the Traitors also commit to an oath and contract with us. There are many instances of such actions, but there was never a time that someone disclosed their identity, and frankly, it wouldn’t be logical.

What keeps Traitors from revealing the other Traitors after they’re banished/during their exit speech?

Cotton: It’s against the rules too. After they disclose their own identities and say their parting words, they can’t expose the identities of their fellow Traitors.

You added an in-person murder this season inside a church. Was that an active church?

Rees-Jones: The building you see is our castle chapel. How fortunate we are to be situated on such an estate! It’s right at the end of our driveway. We’ve utilized it for various tasks before, but its stunning beauty inspired us to conclude this twist with a wedding and a theatrical atmosphere surrounding it. From a filming perspective, that was one of my favorite moments from this season.

Rees-Jones: Our castle chapel is over there, located at the end of our driveway. We’ve had other projects there in the past, but its exceptional charm led us to envision wrapping up this plot twist with a wedding and a theatrical backdrop. From a production standpoint, it was one of my most memorable experiences from this season.

Would you do another in-person murder?

Rees-Jones: Absolutely, nothing’s off the table. However, we like to keep things fresh each season, so we won’t be repeating the same type of twist that you might anticipate. The essence of a twist is to catch both the characters and viewers off guard.

Would you ever think of implementing rewards or punishments for voting out Faithfuls?

Rees-Jones: Everything remains an option! We’re continuing to challenge ourselves, and the players are challenging us in return with the format. Therefore, it’s essential for us to reassess and decide on our direction for the upcoming season.

There are a few cast members who are alone — ie. Dylan, Sam Asghari and Ivar Mountbatten. Then there are some that came in with a group — ie. “Housewives,” “Survivor” alumni and “Big Brother” cast members. Do you feel like that’s an advantage or disadvantage to come in as part of a group?

It’s intriguing. Some individuals argue that entering with pre-existing alliances is disadvantageous since they might become the focus of attacks. On the other hand, others claim it’s a disadvantage to enter without any alliances, as they may also attract unwanted attention. I believe the advantage or disadvantage can be interpreted differently. Our Bambi Alliance, for instance, ultimately betrayed each other due to paranoia. So, you might form an alliance or trust someone, only to discover later that they are disloyal.

A new season of “Survivor” just started. How far ahead are you looking at cast members for future seasons? Is your casting team watching everything right now?

Cotton: We’re constantly brainstorming about possible cast members. Deena Katz is our casting director who keeps supplying us with suggestions, and the network is doing the same. It’s an ongoing process. Additionally, we consider ways to make future seasons feel fresh. So far, we’ve explored Housewives and gaming communities. We’re curious about other fan bases that we could explore. One of the strengths of our show lies in its diversity, something we don’t plan on changing. However, we’re always looking for ways to introduce new elements, as this will give the show a unique twist.

We talked last season about the sleeping arrangements, which are kept a bit mysterious. But let’s talk about the pre-bed videos filmed. How do those come about?

Cotton: Some of those scenes are among my favorites! We also discuss these ideas with the cast. Before filming, we ask them what they’d like to do in the bedroom or if they can bring something from home. Those scenes have a playful, exaggerated feel – they’re quite humorous. We really enjoy creating them. There are many moments featuring Dylan without a shirt on, doing exercises like sit-ups and push-ups, which he thoroughly enjoyed!

Rees-Jones’ Suggestion: What matters most is that they’re discussing killing someone. At such a point, it’s crucial to infuse some quirkiness into it. If the series starts getting too grim, why not depict Tom Sandoval with a rubber duck in a bath while discussing murder?

It’s excellent. The U.K. version of the show reveals that contestants don’t sleep in the castle. It shows them getting in the car and leaving. Why did you guys decide not to do that?

Rees-Jones: Trust from viewers is crucial for BBC, and that’s because of its reputation. When it comes to US series, there’s a certain flamboyance and dramatic feel to them, which isn’t something we strive for deliberately, but rather an element that naturally envelops the narrative like a theatrical setting.

There are two episodes left. What can you tease about what’s to come?

Rees-Jones: Unexpected events take place in our story, which may also surprise the viewers. We encountered thrilling and nerve-wracking twists and turns during the filming process!

Rees-Jones: The plot of our movie includes unforeseen occurrences that might leave spectators surprised as well. Shooting the scenes involved some exhilarating and nerve-wracking twists and turns!

This interview has been edited and condensed.

2025-02-28 03:18

The Traitors’ Shocking Twists: Did Danielle Break the Rules?