THE Traitors’ third series could air this year – all thanks to the show’s venue proving hugely popular for weddings.
The fact Ardross Castle is so booked up in the latter half of this year means the BBC have to film this spring, so the new run could be ready to go in the autumn.
That also paves the way for the recently announced Celebrity version to air in 2025.
A TV insider said: “The castle has always been a big draw for couples looking to tie the knot but since The Traitors aired bookings have gone through the roof.
“It proved a headache for producers but might be a bonus for fans as the Beeb contemplates putting out the third series before the end of the year. It will prevent addicts of the show having to go cold turkey for another year and maintain momentum.”
More than four million have been tuning in live each night to watch the game of skullduggery and treachery. With catch-up figures included, the first episode of series two drew an average of more than six million viewers. And the climactic final week is set to drive many more to binge.
The Traitors’ creative director, Mike Cotton, of Studio Lambert, said: “After the runaway success of The Traitors series one last year, launching a second series was always going to be a challenge. The team were united in their ambition to elevate the existing game while also creating more surprising, and sometimes murderous, twists and turns.
“Claudia has again been the perfect host and the cast were brilliant, so we’re delighted viewers have loved watching.”
The Sun revealed this week that the BBC had put wheels in motion for the celebrity version. It has launched a “discrete recruitment drive” to see which of the show’s many famous fans may sign up.
But it now faces a logistical nightmare trying to film all the different shows, including the US version of The Traitors, around the many weddings booked for Ardross.