The Traitors is finally making its glorious – and “murderous” – return to Australia after being discontinued in 2023, and we’re more than ready for the chaos. The reality TV show is now a global sensation after the Celebrity Traitors UK proved that audiences love seeing celebrities lie to each other while completing outrageous challenges in a Cluedo-style mansion.
This season of The Traitors will follow a cast of infamous Australians from the likes of Survivor, The Bachelor, MasterChef, MAFS, Love Island, Big Brother and more, all locked in a house together and basically playing one big game of mafia – that is, there will be three “Traitors” chosen whose aim is to kill off each “Faithful” contestant while remaining undetected and above suspicion.
Basically, if you’re a fan of camp outfits, betrayal, strategy, and deception. This is the show for you.
The upcoming season will be hosted by Gretel Killeen (who recently competed in the 2025 season of The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition) who is replacing Roger Corser who hosted the first two seasons of The Traitors Australia.
Speaking to WHO, media commentator and content creator Rob McKnight explained why The Traitors is able to make a return after all these years, why the format works so well, and why “the Celebrity version [in the UK] was the tipping point here in Australia.”
“This is a show that doesn’t rely on over manipulation,” McKnight told WHO. “The tension at every elimination is palpable as the audience hopes the Traitors are spared.”
“We are literally cheering on the people lying to everyone else. That’s good TV when you can get viewers to go against their natural instincts of fair play.”
When will The Traitors Australia premiere?
Channel 10 recently released the trailer for the upcoming season, announcing it would air in August.
It’s safe to say Gretel Killeen is bringing the camp chaos this show thrives on.
“Darlings, I have only three tips for these deluded ‘individuals’ as they come to play in my mischievous mansion,” Gretel said in a statement released by Channel 10. “Leave your good self at home and pack the naughty you, give yourself permission to feel good being bad, and never forget that although you may win the money, I will always win the game.
“They will all arrive as Faithfuls, until I secretly anoint my Traitors. And from there, my dears, they have my full permission to be as devious, wicked and stupendously slippery… as I desire.”
Well, I’m hooked.
Why is The Traitors Australia making a return?
Speaking to WHO, McKnight explained the cultural influence that The Traitors UK had and how it helped to create the conditions for Australia’s version to return and (hopefully) thrive.
“The Celebrity version was the tipping point here in Australia,” McKnight said. “The show was a bizarre format that hadn’t really taken off, but the all-star cast led to people taking a look.”
“It didn’t hurt that the show became a social media sensation with every twist dissected and clipped up.
“There’s no doubt the success of the UK version led Channel 10 to bring the format back for another try. The format was dead in this country after 10 had tried to launch it here, but it just didn’t connect with audiences.”
McKnight added: “Whether that was bad marketing, the host, or some other factor is hard to say, but seeing the celebrity UK version gave us a chance to really absorb the format and fall in love with the show.”
From running away from literal explosions to seeing Celia Imrie – a UK national treasure – fart on national television, it’s safe to say throwing celebrities into this highly deceptive environment is the cheeky format we’ve all been craving.
Inside Channel 10’s big celebrity gamble
It makes sense, then, why Channel 10 decided to include “infamous Australians” in this upcoming season.
“I think 10 are doing the right thing by including [known personalities],” McKnight told WHO. “This season needs to work, or the format is dead in this country.”
He also noted how strong a move it was to cast Gretel Killeen as the host this season.
“The strongest sell by far is Gretel Killeen and, if we’re to be honest, she should have been the host from the start,” he said. “Surrounding Gretel with [well-known Australians] makes sense to give it the best shot of success.
“Going forward the show can go back to ‘normal’ Aussies, but 10 needs to throw everything at this upcoming season.”
The ‘psychology’ of The Traitors format is ‘addictive’
While McKnight doesn’t believe The Traitors is yet to compete with the likes of Married at First Sight, he does believe its dynamics have an “addictive” format that could lead to its long-term success.
“I don’t think The Traitors will set the new benchmark for reality TV in this country as viewers are addicted to the manipulated drama of Married At First Sight,” he told WHO. “But this show is certainly a nice change and could actually be the right show at the right time for 10.
“The psychology certainly plays a big part in this game…The main focus here is the traitors having to hide their secret identity and how far they are willing to go to do that. Who will they throw under the bus, and who will they target because they are a threat? There are so many elements to this game that it becomes addictive.”
He also added, “Every season brings a new dynamic. A new group of people means each season plays out very differently. While personalities can obviously change each season of a reality show, this game goes further because of the manipulation and psychological warfare.”
How to watch The Traitors Australia?
The Traitors Australia will release in Australia in August, and will be available to watch on Channel 10 or 10 Streaming.
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