While millions watch him navigate the deceit and drama of BBC One's hit show The Traitors, contestant Matthew Hyndman carries a profound and private sorrow. It has been revealed that the Faithful player's family was devastated over a decade ago when his uncle was assassinated by New IRA gunmen.
A Family Tragedy Amidst the Troubles' Shadow
David Black, a 52-year-old father of two, was shot dead on 1 November 2012 as he drove to work at the high-security Maghaberry prison in County Armagh. He was just months away from retiring after nearly three decades of service with the Northern Ireland Prison Service. The murder, carried out in a motorway drive-by shooting, was the first killing of a prison officer by paramilitaries in over 20 years.
Despite the Good Friday Agreement bringing a formal end to the majority of violence in 1998, hardline dissident republican groups like the New IRA rejected the peace process. Mr Black worked at a jail housing dozens of such dissident prisoners, making his role inherently dangerous. His killers have never been brought to justice.
Matthew Hyndman, then a young man, was photographed consoling heartbroken relatives at his uncle's funeral. The creative director, who now lives in Edinburgh but grew up on the family farm in County Tyrone, has never spoken publicly about the murder.
A Family United in Support and Secrecy
David Black's son, Kyle, continues to campaign for justice for his father. He told Sunday Life that the entire family are immensely proud of Matthew and are glued to the screen watching his progress in Ardross Castle. "My family and I are really enjoying watching Matthew on The Traitors," Kyle said. "We look forward to seeing the rest of the show and hope Matthew reaches the end."
He fondly remembered his father as a hard-working man who was proud of his unionist identity but respected everyone. "He worked hard to give me and my sister Kyra as many opportunities as possible," Kyle added.
In a twist that mirrors the show's theme of secrecy, only Matthew's parents knew he was appearing on the 2026 series of The Traitors. The rest of the family discovered the news when they watched the season premiere on 1 January, having played the Traitors board game with him over Christmas without him revealing a thing.
Playing the Game with Bold Strategy
On screen, Matthew has proven to be a strategic and daring player. In a recent dramatic twist, he won a chance to question the hidden Traitors directly. Entering a church confession box where they were concealed, he proposed a high-risk deal: he asked them to murder fellow Faithful Jessie Roux and then recruit him next.
"I'm not a monster; I don't want Jessie to die," he confessed to the camera afterwards. "But I came here to play the game, and that is what I'm going to do." The Traitors' answer was left as a cliffhanger for viewers.
Speaking before the series began, Matthew said he would be a physical asset in missions due to his love of cold swimming, bouldering, and climbing. He also hinted at a powerful narrative for the final round table, revealing plans to marry his partner on his Northern Ireland family farm, having previously campaigned for marriage equality in the region.
The Hyndman family remain close to David Black's widow, Yvonne, and their children. As Matthew continues his televised quest for prize money, he does so with the silent weight of a family tragedy that underscores the complex and painful history still touching lives in Northern Ireland today.
