As millions of fans across the UK settle in for another thrilling season of BBC's The Traitors, a persistent and troubling shadow looms over the Scottish castle. Despite the show's soaring popularity, a clear pattern has emerged once again: contestants of colour are being disproportionately targeted for early banishments and murders.
A Disturbing Seasonal Trend Repeats
Now in its fourth season, the hit reality series has maintained its grip on the nation. Yet, as viewers reach the halfway point, a sinister undercurrent is impossible to ignore. For the fifth season in a row, fans have noted that non-white participants seem to face an uphill battle from the very start.
This trend was set immediately in the current run. Netty and Judy, both Black women, were the first to be banished and murdered. They were swiftly followed by Ross, and in the latest episodes, Maz was tragically murdered. By just the fifth episode, this left only Faraaz and Roxy as the remaining non-white contestants in the game, from an initial group of six.
The Problematic Labelling of Players of Colour
What compounds the discomfort around these exits is the language often used to justify them. Past seasons offer stark examples. Season two's Kas was likened to serial killer Harold Shipman, while chess coach Anthony was labelled 'aggressive'. Tameka, from the celebrity season, was criticised for 'going on the offensive'.
Frequently, these accusations arise with little concrete evidence, seemingly triggered because the contestants are more vocal or assertive. The celebrity season aired in autumn 2025 saw Niko banished first for simply giving off 'traitorous vibes', followed by Tameka being deemed untrustworthy.
Other instances have left viewers deeply uneasy. The banishment of Kasim in a previous season led to concerns he was being 'bullied and shunned' by fellow players. His visible anguish at being ostracised was a heartbreaking moment, made worse by the lack of reassurance from others.
Time for a Conversation in the Castle
Noticing this bias does not mean people of colour should be immune from banishment—that is the core mechanic of the game. The issue lies in the distinctly different treatment and the premature targeting based on perceived behaviour often linked to racial stereotypes.
It has now become sadly predictable: if you are not white, you are far more likely to be early fodder for the roundtable or must consciously modify your behaviour to avoid suspicion. This raises a crucial question: why has this never been discussed inside the castle itself?
The responsibility to broach this uncomfortable topic should not fall solely on the contestants of colour, who risk making their gameplay personal. However, the targeting of minorities is inherently personal, whether intentional or not. The discussion could be raised in a general sense, prompting the group to reflect on what truly informs their suspicions.
This phenomenon is not unique to The Traitors. Other major reality shows like I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, which crowned a white winner in its 25th season, and Love Island, repeatedly accused of perpetuating the 'angry Black woman' trope, face similar critiques.
With Roxy and Faraaz still in the game, there remains a chance for this season to tackle the issue head-on. As the show is guaranteed to return, future contestants must heed the warnings from outside the castle and bring this essential conversation to the roundtable. Racial bias has no place in our entertainment or our lives, and when it appears, it must be called out for what it is.
