In a significant strategic shift, the American adaptation of the hit reality competition The Traitors is fundamentally altering its casting approach for the upcoming series. The NBC show will now mirror the format of its highly successful BBC One counterpart by featuring members of the public instead of celebrities.
A Major Format Shift Aligns US and UK Versions
The production team behind The Traitors US has officially announced it is seeking applications from everyday Americans for its next season. This marks a dramatic departure from its previous celebrity-exclusive casting policy. The show's official social media account posted a casting call stating, "NOW CASTING The Traitors. A BRAND NEW season for NBC, this time you don't have to be a celebrity to play!" The call emphasises a search for "smart, clever & strategic everyday people to compete in the ultimate game of trust and treachery."
Shared Production But Divergent Casting Histories
Both the UK and US iterations of The Traitors are filmed consecutively at the same location: the atmospheric Ardross Castle in Scotland. They typically feature identical challenges and a similar game structure. Claudia Winkleman hosts the British version on BBC One, while Alan Cumming fronts the American adaptation. However, the core distinction has always been the participant profile. The UK series has consistently starred ordinary members of the public competing for a £100,000 prize, while the NBC version has exclusively featured celebrities vying for a larger $250,000 (£186,200) jackpot.
Applicants for the new US season must be over 21 years old, possess a valid passport, and be either a US citizen or hold a valid US visa. While NBC has not explicitly stated the reason for this pivotal change, the decision follows sustained viewer criticism of certain celebrity castings and the undeniable ratings triumph of the UK's civilian-focused format.
Ratings Success and Viewer Criticism Prompt Change
The move comes as The Traitors UK continues to break audience records. Recent overnight ratings revealed the current series achieved a new peak, attracting 8.1 million viewers during a pivotal banishment episode. The BBC has maintained its public-focused format for the main series, only deviating for a separate celebrity special last year featuring stars like Alan Carr and Stephen Fry.
Conversely, The Traitors US has faced backlash over some of its celebrity selections. The casting of actor Michael Rapaport in a recent season proved particularly controversial. His confrontational behaviour during a roundtable discussion, which viewers described as "ugly and mean spirited," included a contentious remark directed at fellow contestant Colton Underwood. Many interpreted the comment as an insensitive reference to Underwood's public journey as a gay man, though Rapaport denied this intent. Fellow contestant Maura Higgins labelled the exchange a "very low blow."
The US show has previously featured a wide array of celebrities, from reality television personalities like Love Island's Maura Higgins and Real Housewives star Brandi Glanville to more unexpected figures such as former Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow. The current season includes contestants like dancer Mark Ballas and comedian Ron Funches.
The Final Faithful and Traitors Stand
As the UK version enters its final week on BBC One and iPlayer, only seven contestants remain in the castle. The game's dynamics have narrowed to two remaining Traitors, Stephen Libby and Rachel Duffy, following the recent banishments of Hugo Lodge and the Secret Traitor, Fiona Hughes. This climax underscores the intense psychological gameplay that has captivated millions of viewers on both sides of the Atlantic.
This fundamental casting realignment by the American production signals a recognition of the UK formula's powerful appeal, prioritising the raw, unpredictable dynamics of everyday people over the established personas of celebrities. It represents one of the most substantial format changes in recent reality television history, directly inspired by audience response and comparative success metrics.
