Watch: Did Rob Rausch and Maura Higgins Hook Up on 'The Traitors'? She Says...
The Traitors has an important message for its faithful audience. As its fourth season continues to unfold, the Peacock competition series issued a statement to fans addressing negative online commentary surrounding the Alan Cumming-hosted show. "We are committed to making our casts feel safe, respected, and supported-on screen and off," read a statement posted on the show's official X (formerly Twitter) handle Jan. 24. "The cast of The Traitors are real people, and what happens in the game should never lead to cyberbullying or harassment. There's a difference between discussing a show and targeting individuals." Viewers were also given a reminder to be mindful of keeping their words rooted in positivity. "Let's not ruin the passion for this show with unwarranted negativity and personal attacks," the statement continued. "We appreciate your support." Two days earlier, season four cast member Ron Funches revealed that fans' discussions about his time on the show led him to discover that he is on the autism spectrum.readThe Traitors Celeb Stylist Sam Spector on Tweed, Tartan, and Bringing Castle Style Home"Well the internet told me I was autistic and was right," he posted on his Instagram Stories Jan. 22. "You win this round." Ron added, "Thanks @thetraitorsus for helping me find out more about me through some type of cruel trauma."Euan Cherry/PeacockOne day prior, the 42-year-old-whose son Malcolm, 21, also lives with the developmental condition-detailed what led him to seek a formal diagnosis. "I honestly didn't know I myself had Autism I thought I was just an ally and parent of an autistic child," he wrote on Threads Jan. 21, "but the way I felt I wasn't being comprehended or understood while I thought I was being direct and seeing some of my own mannerisms made [me] start the process of going to get a diagnosis." And after sharing his neurodiversity, Ron remarked on Instagram that he was "so thankful" that being on the show allowed him to "learn about myself and learn about others," adding, "Be kind to each other."For behind-the-scenes secrets on the making of The Traitors, keep reading.
Euan Cherry/Peacock1. While scheming is certainly a hallmark of The Traitors gameplay, contestants have no choice when it comes to their Traitors vs. Faithful status. Though, starting with season two, stars like Phaedra Parks and Kate Chastain were able to plead their case to host Alan Cumming. "That has a really big bearing on it, as does Alan's opinion," executive producer Mike Cotton noted to Variety. "It's almost like a job interview to be a Traitor, and we take all of that into account and decide just before the pick who that should be. We want to make sure we've got an interesting mix of characters that will bring their own unique skill set to it." Though it's not immediately clear to the cast just how many among them are Traitors. "We knew that there could potentially be three to five Traitors in the game," Survivor's Cirie Fields told E! News in 2023 after her season one victory. "That was explained to us from the very beginning.
Euan Cherry/Peacock2. They were also instructed to commit to the Traitors oath: "Do you commit to lie and deceive throughout the game? Are you willing to murder your fellow players every single night? And, do you vow to keep your identity and the identity of your fellow players a secret?"Euan Cherry/Peacock3. To help producers determine who might be best at backstabbing and bluffing, contestants take a personality test. "We see attributes that might make someone a good liar or particularly deceptive," Cotton Variety. Still, "We actually don't know who the Traitors are until that pick, where Alan walks around and taps them on the shoulder."Euan Cherry/Peacock4. As for Cumming, he was excited to sign on for his campy role and bring his little dog, too. Recounting the initial pitch to Daily Beast in 2023, "I said, 'It's sort of like you want me to be like a Bond villain. And I should actually bring my dog and pet her.' And they went, 'That's a good idea' And I thought, oh, I want to do this." With rescue pup Lala on hand, he leaned hard into his role, quoting playwright William Shakespeare and philosopher Plato on-camera. "So I had this flaring-nostril sort of persona," he told the outlet. "And you're kind of making stuff up as you go along. Literally, sometimes, they're feeding me lines in my ear. So it was a bit like doing stand-up comedy actually, because you're just winging it."Euan Cherry/Peacock5. The cast might have a royally good time in Scotland's Ardross Castle, but they don't actually get their own palace digs. "None of us stayed in the castle," Cumming divulged to the Daily Beast. Instead, he continued, "You come to Scotland, and you stay in the Inverness airport hotel." While he had his own nearby digs, "I had a room in the castle where I would get made up and dressed," he added. "It had a huge bed in it.