As the third season of The Traitors grips BBC viewers, a former contestant has pulled back the curtain on the immense emotional pressure faced by players inside the Scottish castle.
The Emotional Toll Behind the Scenes
In a revealing interview with Betway, Zack Davies, a participant from the show's second series, disclosed that the psychological strain was so severe that every single contestant was driven to tears at some point during filming. He described the experience as weighing heavily on people, far beyond what is broadcast.
Davies gave a poignant example involving his fellow series two star, Andrew Jenkins. He recalled encountering the "big, strong, Welsh bodybuilder" during a break when cameras weren't rolling. "He was crying," Davies said. "Everyone cried at some point during filming, of course, but he looked completely exhausted."
He linked this breakdown to the pivotal moment when Andrew was secretly recruited to become a Traitor. "One moment, he was holding it all together, and then suddenly his mood just crashed," Davies explained. He suggested that the ability to handle this relentless stress is what separates good Traitors from great ones, citing Paul Gorton as someone who appeared to relish the role effortlessly.
Controversy Over the 'Edit'
The conversation also turned to how contestants are portrayed in the final cut of the show. Davies was asked if he believed the production gave everyone a fair edit, to which he responded candidly about perceived favouritism.
"I think there were clear favourites in the edit," he stated. "Some people got really favourable coverage, and some got less favourable." He placed himself and fellow contestant Jasmine firmly in the latter category.
The show's editors painted him as "really obnoxious, arrogant, and self-righteous," Davies claimed. While admitting he can exhibit those traits, he urged viewers to take their perceptions "with a pinch of salt." He revealed the direct impact of this portrayal, saying, "People would come up to me after the show saying they absolutely hated me, and I'm like, 'You don't actually know me!'"
He concluded that feelings about the editing process were mixed among the cast, with a lot of people feeling hard done by, while others appreciated their portrayal.
The Reality of Reality TV
This insider account from Zack Davies highlights the significant gap between the polished television product and the raw, emotionally charged reality of filming a high-stakes game like The Traitors. While viewers are accustomed to seeing tears and tension on screen, Davies's revelations confirm that the psychological pressure extends deep into the contestants' off-camera moments, managed by the show's welfare team.
His comments on the editorial process also shed light on the enduring debate about reality TV representation and how a selective edit can shape public perception long after the game ends.
