Viewers of The Traitors UK 2026 are not just focused on the game's psychological battles and hidden traitors. They've also become captivated by the literary career of one particular contestant: Harriet Tyce.
From The Bar To The Bestseller List
The 52-year-old former criminal barrister has found major success as a crime fiction author since leaving her legal career to start a family. Her journey to publication wasn't straightforward, however. On Instagram, Tyce has openly shared that her manuscripts faced multiple rejections before her persistence, aided by securing an agent, finally led to a breakthrough.
Her novels have since garnered a significant following, with many fans on social media expressing surprise and delight at seeing her on the popular BBC reality show. One viewer on X had a 'lightbulb moment' upon recognising Tyce as the Sunday Times bestselling author, praising her work as television-worthy.
Harriet Tyce's Popular Book Titles
The author's compelling crime novels have seen a dramatic surge in interest since her appearance on The Traitors, with reported sales increases of 95%. Her published works include:
- Blood Orange
- The Lies You Told
- A Lesson In Cruelty
- It Ends At Midnight
Fans can also look forward to her upcoming novel, Witch Trial, which is scheduled for release in February 2026.
Why The Traitors' Star Is Keeping Her Career Secret
Despite her soaring book sales, Harriet Tyce has made a strategic decision to conceal her successful writing career from her fellow contestants. She fears that revealing her profession as an author, particularly one skilled in crafting deception and analysing character, would make her a 'huge target' in the game.
"The Traitors is like the quintessence of people not being who they seem," she explained. She believes her background as a criminal barrister might give her an edge, stating, "I might be good because of my criminal barrister training at picking up on inconsistencies."
Should she outwit her competitors and win the show's prize fund, Tyce has already decided on a noble cause for the money. She plans to donate her winnings to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, motivated by the experience of dear friends affected by the disease, including a best friend who died from secondary breast cancer in 2021.
As the season continues, audiences will be watching closely to see if Harriet Tyce's analytical skills and understanding of human behaviour will help her succeed, all while her secret life as a celebrated crime writer remains hidden in plain sight.
