Okay, babes, let’s talk about The Traitors. This TV show is giving "Cluedo meets Big Brother energy" and has taken both sides of the Atlantic by storm. From its absolutely savage plot twists to the petty backstabbing and weird-but-iconic vibes of contestants, this show is binge-worthy AF. But who did it better: the Brits or the Yanks? And what happens if Australia (the land of drama, obvs) gets in on the action? Let’s sus it out.
The Traitors UK: Moody Castles and Classy Chaos 🏰☕️
First up, The Traitors UK. This version premiered in late 2022 and was filmed in a gothic Scottish castle straight outta your Pinterest boards. Hosted by the queen of deadpan humor herself, Claudia Winkleman (and her BANGS, let’s not forget), the show served ultimate cozy murder mystery vibes. The UK cast was a mix of normies, which made the drama feel super relatable—like, what if your co-workers suddenly started gaslighting you?
Ratings-wise, the UK version slayed. The finale pulled in over 3.2 million viewers on the BBC, which is high-key amazing for a brand-new reality format. It also became the most-streamed show on iPlayer over Christmas, giving us all an excuse to ghost our relatives. Critics LOVED it for being fresh but simple—no OTT twists, just raw, psychological chaos.
US Version: Hollywood-Level Drama 💅🇺🇸
Then we’ve got The Traitors US, which dropped in early 2023 on Peacock (aka the streaming service you forgot you had). The setting? Same castle. But the vibes? Totally different. Hosted by Alan Cumming (wearing more tartan than a bagpipe convention), the US version went big. They brought in reality TV royalty like Cirie Fields (Survivor queen), Rachel Reilly (Big Brother legend), and even Below Deck’s Kate Chastain, mixing them with regular peeps.
Let’s be real: The Americans don’t do subtlety, and that’s exactly why this version slapped. It leaned into its campy, over-the-top aesthetic and gave us more dramatic confrontations than an RHOBH reunion. Cirie absolutely annihilated the game, becoming the first-ever winner while being a Traitor the whole time. Like, LEGEND BEHAVIOR.
While the US version didn’t hit the same mainstream heights as the UK one, it still did well. According to Peacock, it became one of their most-watched unscripted series, and the streaming platform even fast-tracked a second season. So yeah, Americans ate it up.
Australia: The Drama Capital of the World? 🦘🌞
Now imagine this: The Traitors Australia. ICONIC potential, right? Aussie reality TV is already known for being next level. Married at First Sight and Love Island AU have set the gold standard for chaotic entertainment, and let’s not even start on The Block. The cultural DNA is built for dramatic blindsides, betrayal, and epic confessionals.
If an Australian version drops, expect it to pop OFF. The rugged Outback or a haunted gold-rush-era mansion would be the perfect backdrop. Plus, Aussies don’t hold back when it comes to honesty (no BS vibes), which would make the gameplay brutally entertaining. Like, if you thought the Brits were polite and the Americans were loud, the Aussies would just straight-up call you out at breakfast: “Oi, mate, you’re acting sus as.”
As for ratings? If the BBC and Peacock’s success is anything to go by, the Aussie version would probs smash it. Aired on a network like Channel 9 or 10 (or even on Stan), it could easily become a primetime hit. And let’s not forget how Aussies LOVE to adopt and claim international formats (MasterChef AU is more popular than the OG, just saying).
So why does this show work EVERYWHERE? Simple: it’s human psychology on blast. Trust issues, paranoia, alliances—it’s basically your toxic friend group, but make it a reality show. Plus, the mix of regular people and celebrities (in the US version, at least) gives it mass appeal. Whether you’re into strategy, drama, or just watching people spiral, The Traitors has it all.
The Verdict: Aussies, Get Ready to Pop Off 🦘
The Traitors is a global smash for a reason, and if Australia gets involved, it’ll be a whole new level of chaos. Just imagine the slang, the passive-aggressive side-eyes, and the barbecue betrayals. Someone PLEASE make this happen.
