Peacock just revealed the cast for its first civilian edition of The Traitors: New Blood. But online, fans of the show are less than impressed with the lack of famous faces.
So far, the first four seasons of The Traitors US have featured celebrities. These have included reality TV icons like Lisa Rinna, Kate Chastain, and Kyle Cooke, as well as game show contestants such as Cirie Fields. She took part in the first season, which included a mix of both stars and civilians.
On the flip side, The Traitors: New Blood will feature an entirely civilian cast – and, as a Brit, I have to say, viewers are wrong in their disappointment. Here’s why…
The Traitors: New Blood cast has been revealed by Peacock, but not all fans are impressed
“Let the treachery begin,” Peacock wrote on socials earlier today as it unveiled the 22 civilians who’ll take part on The Traitors: New Blood. Although the post quickly racked up plenty of likes, the resounding reaction was pretty lackluster.
“Won’t be watching,” responded former fan of the show, @yesitsalonzo, on X. “Season one in the US was basically civilian and it was BORIIIING,” added @ellehc1m_. Meanwhile, @day_dayyvone wrote: “I’ll tolerate but I need my celebrities, it’s just funner.”
Here’s the thing, though. Having watched every season of The Traitors UK, which has turned total strangers into TV legends, I urge you not to skip what could be the best series of the show to date. While the new cast indeed lacks the big names that have become part of the US version’s appeal, that’s exactly why it’ll be a hit.
Unlike seasoned reality stars, these contestants aren’t arriving at Alan Cumming’s Scottish castle with reputations to protect. Nor do they have pre-existing alliances, like those so often formed by the Real Housewives or the Gamers. The cast will also have absolutely no idea who they’re dealing with when it comes to one another, making the core focus of the game (that being: reading people) even harder. And far more unpredictable.
To that end, the US might finally get what made the original concept of The Traitors so annoyingly addictive … people playing the game, rather than playing the game of reality TV.
The Traitors: New Blood premieres on September 17 at 8/7c on NBC. You can stream it on Peacock the next day.
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE TRAITORS: NEW BLOOD? AND, HOW DO YOU THINK THE CIVILIAN VERSION WILL COMPARE?
