The first contestant to be 'murdered' in the latest series of BBC's hit show The Traitors has revealed which player she believes is being severely underestimated in the game, potentially making them a major threat.
The Unexpected Reunion and a Swift Exit
In scenes aired last week, Netty Österberg, 42, a nursery school teacher, became the inaugural victim of the Traitors' murderous plot. Her time in the famous Scottish castle was short but memorable, marked by a surprising reunion with an old acquaintance, Ross. The pair were stunned to see each other among the 21 strangers, a moment producers confirmed was entirely unplanned.
Mike Cotton, Creative Director at Studio Lamberts, told the Daily Mail that background checks revealed the pair followed each other on social media, but the link was deemed tenuous. Neither was warned ahead of filming, as bosses wanted to capture their genuine reaction. Ultimately, this connection contributed to Netty's elimination, with the Traitors partly choosing her so they could potentially frame Ross for the deed.
Jade: The 'Dangerous' Underestimated Player
Speaking to Metro after her dramatic exit, Netty identified Jade, the 25-year-old PhD student, as the player to watch. She suggested Jade's youth and Gen Z demeanour could lead others to underestimate her strategic capabilities, making her a potent force, especially if she were the Secret Traitor.
'She was obviously a stunning-looking girl, and she’s young, so people might not have expectations of her,' Netty said. Reflecting on their interactions, she added, 'She just came across as really Gen Z and in the moment... but actually she’s obviously a very smart woman, and she could use that very well, I’m sure.'
Netty concluded with a stark warning for the remaining Faithful: 'I think she could be a person people still underestimate in every sense.'
Fan Reaction and Game Fallout
Following Netty's elimination, fans on X (formerly Twitter) expressed widespread bewilderment at the Traitors' choice. Many believed her apparent bond with Ross made her a perfect distraction at future roundtables, and that keeping her in the game would have been a smarter tactical move for the deceitful players.
One fan wrote: 'I'm shocked the Traitors killed Netty. She was a huge target with her bond with Ross & that would've been a great distraction at a roundtable.' Another simply stated: 'Netty gone? That's an absolutely wild choice.'
Speaking directly to the camera after her murder, a gutted Netty said: 'I think I would have been a really good Faithful. Maybe I've been too good a faithful, too loud, and now my time is done.'
The Traitors continues tonight at 8pm on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
