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Why do we love watching The Traitors? It’s thanks to Agatha Christie

The reality show is edited backwards to give viewers the warm feeling of being in control — Agatha Christie used a similar trick

Claudia Winkleman hosts the country house bump-off series with a knowing smile and a collection of impeccable gothic knitwear, ensuring that this is the cosiest of cosy crime games. An editor friend of mine was investigating how constructed reality and factual television works and shared an amazing titbit that changes how you watch the show: the edit of The Traitors is done in two sections, and they do it backwards. Because the manipulation of story is done mainly at the edit stage rather than through in-game coercion, which viewers say they have become wary of, this potentially cruel game format about betraying your friends feels somehow less mean on screen than most (ostensibly uplifting) TV talent shows.

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