2026 also signals a third local season of The Traitors, now with new host Gretel Killeen.
Since its first iteration in 2022 the Dutch format has built up a following from international editions streaming at 10.
The NZ-based season features reality faces from Real Housewives, Australian Idol, Australian Survivor, Love Island, MasterChef, Married at First Sight, Aussie Shore, and Big Brother.
“All the other versions of Traitors that we have continue to be some of the biggest shows that we have on streaming at the moment,” she explains.
“We have really high hopes that it’ll be a great success. Because it’s a great cast, it’s Gretel. She’s really leant into it and we think Australia is ready for a great local version again.”
I’ve decided to rewatch the first two seasons of the Australian version in preparation of the third season and it really has nothing on the UK or even US versions. There’s just something about it I can’t put my finger on but it isn’t a very good show. Hopefully the new series and Gretel can change that because I love the international versions.
having watched the UK Celebrity Traitors and the series just finished, I’ve gone to series 1. Gotta say they are a very emotional bunch in the first series.
I agree I do think the host plays a crucial role in the show though and from the outset I never thought Roger was the right choice. I really think 10 have it right this time.
Do we know if 10 will show the NZ version here?
BBC are showing the Ireland version now in the UK.
Nz version is on “10Play”
I think the production team was the issue - they are the Aus Survivor producers and the show was produced as if it was Survivor but in a hotel. They did well especially being the first English version produced & aired, but vibe was not Traitors.
The other versions feel a little more cosy and truer to the mystery vibe the show should have.
I really hope the upcoming AU series got overseen by Studio Lambert (who do the UK & US versions).
TBH as this is one of the first international reality formats which really embraces it’s international catalogue I don’t want all versions to be a carbon copy. Worth remembering the UK version is a muchslicker production than it was originally too.
I did like the Shield in the first Aussie series also protecting from banishment and think that element reveals more than just trying to be protected from murder. I’d tweak the format so shields are still primarily to protect from murder and can be kept secret but just before the vote takes place at the roundtable the shield winner(s) are given the opportunity to sacrifice their protection from murder in exchangefor protection from banishment instead.
I watched Aussie season 1 episode 1 for the first time last night
- 24 people is way too many,
- House way too light and character less
- Host, sorry Rodger Corser, acting rather than hosting is a distraction
- Got to 40 minutes and lost interest…..
Hoping this is all addressed as part of the Gretel reboot, it’s a great concept and would be an awesome to have an Aussie version
The recent US episode was one of the most entertaining that I’ve seen of this show. So much went down.
I really liked the dinner party concept and how scared people were of every little thing that they did, but there was one thing I did not agree with. The way that Yam Yam was taken out felt like a complete set up for Lisa Rinna. When he was revealed to be murdered, he should no longer be able to speak. There has never been another murder where that person then gets to share intel on who they thought did it. Instead of being dragged out of the room quickly to make dramatic television, they really they should have all just gone to bed and found out was murdered in the morning like usual.
I’m not happy with Lisa being banished but it’s set this up for a very interesting end game. Rob is playing a bit messy. I get that at some point you can’t remain as 3 Traitors but he could have sat back on that vote, been less vocal and she still likely would have gone. Instead he’s made an enemy of Candiance. I really hope she can do something to win this.
You need to remember that the first Australian season was made and aired before either the UK or US versions had come out. The UK and US shows shifted to a much darker tone, which is easier to achieve when you’re filming in a castle. If you look back at the first US/UK seasons, you can see how much that version has evolved too. It started with a much simpler format, and now there are far more twists, shields and tasks for the Traitors. The Australian season worked for its time, but after watching more recent overseas versions, it’s clear it will need to lean into that darker vibe and introduce some additional twists to keep it interesting.
So apparently next season of US traitors will be all stars.
South Pacific Pictures, the New Zealand–based subsidiary of All3Media, will oversee the reboot. This arrangement forms part of a broader cost-cutting agreement, under which New Zealand was selected as the filming location.
So each episode is an hour so lets divide that 3billion by 60 which gives us 50million hours viewed. Then in this period 7 episodeswere released so thats an average of around 7m an episode - an impressive figure without having to hide it behind minutes streamed.
New versions of The Traitors will be made in Indonesia, Malta, Serbia, Slovakia and Estonia. All3Media said the format has now been sold into 40 territories in total.
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