12 Shows Like The Traitors You Need To Watch

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that “The Traitors,” especially the US version, has returned for its third season! If you’re into betrayal, strategic gameplay, and social intrigue, this reality competition show is tailor-made for you. Alan Cumming gracefully serves as our host, donning a different fabulous ensemble each episode while skillfully highlighting the show’s campiest elements and his distinctive Scottish brogue.

Imagine it as a grand-scale adaptation of the party game Mafia, where each season begins with Cumming selecting three “Traitors” to mingle among the “Faithfuls” within a Scottish castle. As the game unfolds, the Traitors can eliminate other players by choosing who leaves the game; after a player is ‘killed,’ all remaining players gather at a roundtable to debate and vote on who they believe could be a Traitor.

In this game of cat-and-mouse, it’s often challenging for Faithfuls to identify the Traitors, as they have an advantage due to their ability to knock off a few Faithfuls before the true nature of the Traitors is revealed. Here’s the twist: if even one Traitor manages to remain undetected among unsuspecting Faithfuls at the end of the show, they’ll walk away with the entire prize pot that all players have collectively earned through various demanding challenges.

Versions of “The Traitors” can be found globally; the initial series, “De Verraders,” originated in Denmark. Now, adaptations of “The Traitors” are available from countries like Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Hungary, and more. If you’ve already watched “The Traitors UK” or “The Traitors Australia” to fulfill your desire for a similar experience as “The Traitors US,” I recommend checking out these reality TV shows with the same exhilarating, extreme intensity as “The Traitors US.

The Challenge (1998-present)

Despite originating as a spin-off from two popular MTV reality competition shows, “The Real World” and “Road Rules”, “The Challenge” has undeniably carved out its own niche in the realm of reality TV. With an impressive 40 seasons under its belt, it’s safe to say that this show is a staple in the reality TV hall of fame. Similar to “The Traitors”, “The Challenge” often gathers its cast members from the annals of reality TV history and pits them against each other. Unlike “The Traitors”, where contestants are divided into ‘Traitors’ and ‘Faithfuls’, the participants in “The Challenge” are separated based on gender, prominent personality traits, or seemingly random factors (such as former partners). Just like “The Traitors”, competitors face a series of challenges, and the group decides who to eliminate. However, the criteria for elimination changes with each season.

If you’ve been following “The Traitors US,” you’re aware that contestants from “The Challenge” have previously appeared on Alan Cumming’s Peacock show. These individuals have shown impressive performances. In fact, during Season 2 of “The Traitors US,” friends from “Big Brother” and “The Challenge,” Trishelle Cannatella and Chris “CT” Tamburello, emerged victorious. They beat out Mercedes “MJ” Javid (from “Shahs of Sunset”) to claim the prize money for themselves. If you’re interested in seeing players like Trishelle and CT at their best, you can find “The Challenge” on Paramount+.

Big Brother (2000-present)

Beyond “The Real World” and “Survivor,” it’s undeniable that “Big Brother” played a significant role in sparking the era of competition-based reality TV shows we currently enjoy. Originating in the Netherlands in 1997 before its American debut on CBS in the summer of 2000, “Big Brother” has left an indelible mark on television history. The show places contestants, or “Houseguests,” in a single house, isolated from the outside world, where they interact, compete, and sometimes argue for the entertainment of viewers. Each season involves the Houseguests voting to evict fellow contestants until only one remains to claim the grand prize of $750,000.

Similar to the show “The Challenge,” many beloved contestants from “Big Brother” have participated in “The Traitors US,” with differing levels of accomplishment. In the inaugural season, a blend of ordinary individuals and reality TV royalty, Cody Calafiore (“Big Brother 16”) and Rachel Reilly (“Big Brother 12”) were among the competitors but were exiled. During Season 2, Dan Gheesling — widely recognized as one of the greatest “Big Brother” players — made a misstep in his role as a Traitor and was banished shortly after fellow “Big Brother” veteran Janelle Pierzina, who was wrongly expelled as a Loyal. “Big Brother,” which has been airing for more than 25 seasons, can now be streamed on Paramount+.

Survivor (2000-present)

In our ever-tumultuous world, the esteemed matriarch of American reality television, “Survivor” on CBS, serves as a soothing continuity. This series has been airing since 2000, with Jeff Probst, who took up the role of executive producer midway through its run, hosting from day one. The premise is straightforward: a band of contestants find themselves stranded in a distant location, divided into tribes. Initially, entire tribes vie for the Immunity Idol, which shields them from elimination at Tribal Council, where one participant is voted off the show. However, as the number of tribes dwindles, they merge into a single group. From this juncture, players strive for personal Immunity Idols. As the game progresses, those ousted by their peers become the jury, ultimately determining who wins the title of Sole Survivor and claims a grand prize of $1 million.

In contrast to what one might initially assume, “Survivor” isn’t just a game that favors the physically strongest players; rather, it has a more social aspect than expected. Similar to “The Traitors,” success often goes to those who are socially astute, whether they’re building strong alliances or turning on their fellow competitors. The first season of “The Traitors US” saw a veteran Survivor player, Cirie Fields, cunningly manipulate two others and strategically eliminate one more to secure the prize money for herself. Parvati Shallow, who won Season 16 of “Survivor,” was a Traitor in Season 2 but was eliminated midway through; however, her iconic headbands became a memorable part of that season’s imagery. Sandra Diaz-Twine, a rival of Parvati from the “Heroes v. Villains” season, ended up placing fifth in “The Traitors US.” If you’re interested, you can stream “Survivor” on Paramount+.

Deal or No Deal Island (2024-present)

Refresh your memory on “Deal or No Deal,” the popular game show hosted by Howie Mandel where contestants picked numbered cases for a chance at a large cash prize? Meghan Markle was one of the participants. Now, there’s a fresh take on this classic, titled “Deal or No Deal: Island Edition.” This time, it’s set on an island and hosted by Joe Mangianello instead of Mandel. Contestants engage in physical challenges called “excursions” to find hidden cases, participate in the “Banker’s Challenge,” a traditional game where the Banker offers deals, and finally play a standard round of “Deal or No Deal.” Interestingly, Mandel was revealed as the Banker in Season 1. (Just in case you were wondering, this isn’t a joke!)

One standout feature of “The Traitors US” is its playful and entertaining nature. The show is filled with moments where contestants lie in coffins, undertake absurd tasks, and witness Alan Cumming enjoying himself immensely as host. This light-heartedness makes it a great match for “Deal or No Deal Island”, another show that offers a fun, brainless escape. To add to the appeal, Parvati Shallow, who was previously on Survivor, is participating in Season 2 of “Deal or No Deal”.

The Mole (2001-2008, 2022-present)

Over the years, “The Mole” has appeared in various forms on American television. In 2001, it debuted on ABC with Anderson Cooper hosting for the first two seasons; when famous personalities joined as contestants starting from Seasons 3 and 4, Ahmad Rashad was brought in to host. Although a fifth season hosted by Jon Kelley aired in 2008, many viewers don’t remember it today. In 2022, Netflix revived the show with Alex Wagner as the host, but she only stayed for one season before handing over the role to radio journalist Ari Shapiro.

In essence, “The Mole” is a reality TV show where one contestant, randomly chosen by Netflix, poses as a saboteur (or “mole”) in a group competing in challenges. The mole’s mission is to secretly undermine these tasks so the prize pot doesn’t grow too large. The twist lies in the fact that the mole can’t win the game but can keep the other players on their toes by making them guess who it is.

At the end of each episode, they all take a quiz about what the mole was doing during challenges, focusing on details like what they were wearing, how they participated, and where they stood. The player with the lowest score each week is eliminated. This game shares similarities with “The Traitors,” as both require players to identify someone acting against them, and you can watch the latest version of it on Netflix.

Claim to Fame (2022-present)

The show “Claim to Fame” is known for its unique premise: it features contestants who have loose connections to prominent Hollywood figures, and their task is to uncover these hidden relationships. In Season 2, for instance, Tom Hanks’ niece Carly Reeves had a dramatic meltdown on live TV when she was exposed as the nephew of the “Castaway” star. Each episode presents challenges with cryptic hints about relationships, such as identifying Simone Biles’ sister in Season 1. If a contestant correctly guesses who is related to whom, that person is eliminated from the game.

If you’re in search of a show that’s as entertainingly absurd as “The Traitors US” and “Deal or No Deal Island,” then “Claim to Fame” might be just the thing for you! However, it should be noted that this series involves elements of deceit and implausible situations. If you’ve exhausted “The Traitors” episodes or are intrigued by another display of Reeves-like outbursts, you can stream “Claim to Fame” on Hulu.

The Trust: A Game of Greed (2024-2024)

Similar to “The Traitors,” Netflix’s original reality competition series “The Trust: A Game of Greed” involves a group of individuals working together to either claim or split a cash prize – specifically $250,000. The game encourages a fair amount of deceit and manipulation. In its only season thus far, eleven strangers are presented with the chance to share $250,000. This means that as the game progresses, each person can vote others out, resulting in more money for the remaining players. Additionally, there is a feature called The Vault where contestants can secretly negotiate deals with one another, potentially boosting their individual winnings.

In the finale of “The Trust: A Game of Greed,” a total of five winners were crowned, with a few receiving slightly more than their fellow contestants (while four unfortunate participants walked away empty-handed). This structure resembles another game show, “The Traitors,” where multiple individuals can claim victory. At the moment, only one season of “The Trust: A Game of Greed” is accessible on Netflix, ready for your viewing pleasure.

007: Road to a Million (2023-present)

2023 saw Eon Productions and Amazon Prime Video joining forces to produce an innovative spin-off titled “007: The Million Pound Challenge.” This series, connected to the classic James Bond films, pits two teams of nine contestants against each other in spy-themed competitions. The objective? To win a staggering £1 million (that’s British pounds). Guiding these contestants is an enigmatic figure known as “The Controller,” who serves as a traditional Bond villain of sorts. In the inaugural season, this role was played by Brian Cox, the acclaimed star of “Succession” and fellow Scot, who embraced the opportunity to add some flair to a game show setting much like Alan Cumming has done before him.

007: Road to a Million” mirrors the excitement of “The Traitors,” yet it’s the unexpected belief that Cox held about joining a real James Bond film that adds an amusing twist to this series. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show,” Cox admitted, “I thought it was the new James Bond movie.” Thinking he had finally been cast in a 007 film, Cox enthusiastically agreed, only to find out there was no script and no actual James Bond movie. Despite this misunderstanding, Cox found joy in the experience: “It was fun, it was great fun. I love bossing people around.” He even took charge of the cast members. Cox’s performance on “007: Road to a Million” is an entertaining treat and can now be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

Vanderpump Rules (2013-present)

The spin-off series of Bravo’s “Real Housewives,” titled “Vanderpump Rules,” is not a competition reality show, but it presents a level of deceit, treachery, and villainy that makes “The Traitors” appear like a peaceful knitting group. Launched in 2011 following main cast member Scheana Shay’s affair with the husband of then-“Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Brandi Glanville, who appeared on Season 1 of “The Traitors US,” this show is headed by restaurateur and fellow housewife Lisa Vanderpump. It follows the lives of the young, attractive, and exceptionally unstable servers at Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurant SUR. In every season, at least one cast member does something so reprehensible to their friends and loved ones that even Alan Cumming would be embarrassed. (For those unfamiliar, SUR stands for “Sexy Unique Restaurant,” and if this fact doesn’t captivate you about the show, nothing else will.)

Vanderpump Rules,” undeniably, stands out as one of the most extravagant and unpredictable reality series ever made. To top it off, Tom Sandoval, once a beloved character from “Vanderpump Rules” who later became infamous for his affair with a fellow cast member causing quite a stir known as “Scandoval,” will feature in Season 3 of “The Traitors US.” For a full understanding of why this individual is so detested, it’s essential to begin watching “Vanderpump Rules” from the start, which can be found on Peacock. (Additionally, if justice prevails, Stassi Schroeder-Clark might appear on “The Traitors US” at some point.)

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City (2020-present)

Similar to “Vanderpump Rules,” “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” isn’t a competition, but it could be considered the best contemporary addition to the “Housewives” series. In the controversial finale of Season 3, the ladies from Utah uncovered a traitor among them by literally sniffing it out. The cast members of “Salt Lake City” are quite eccentric, even for Bravo housewives; for instance, Meredith Marks can’t stay anywhere without a bathtub, and Mary Cosby is legally married to her own grandfather (though they aren’t blood-related).

Among the most shocking plot twists reminiscent of “Traitors”, found in “Salt Lake City”, are truly astounding; for instance, in Season 2, cast member Jen Shah gets arrested live on camera for operating a telemarketing scam that swindled the elderly. Similarly, in Season 4, amateur detective Heather Gay uncovers that a recent addition to their group has been leaking secrets. Whether you’re new to “Housewives” or not, “Salt Lake City”, available on Peacock, is sure to reel you in.

House of Villains (2023-present)

If you enjoy “The Traitors US” and would prefer all contestants to be notorious reality TV villains, then “House of Villains” could be an ideal choice for you. Similar to “The Traitors US”, players in “House of Villains” are veteran reality TV personalities, infamous for their questionable conduct, participating in challenges called “Battle Royales.” Each week’s winner is crowned the “Supervillain of the Week,” who then has the power to nominate other contestants for the “Hit List.” One person from the list leaves the show at the end of each episode.

From Jonny Fairplay (“Survivor”), Omarosa Manigault Newman (“The Apprentice”), Jax Taylor (“Vanderpump Rules”) and Teresa Giudice (“The Real Housewives of New Jersey”), among others, have all been part of the “House of Villains” cast. Essentially, this show features some of the most notorious personalities from reality TV. If you’re a fan of shows like “The Traitors,” but enjoy a more extreme level of controversy, then you might find “House of Villains” appealing. You can stream it on Peacock right now.

Squid Game: The Challenge

The Challenge.” In this game, 456 players compete against each other for a massive $4.56 million prize. Like the show “The Traitors,” it necessitates contestants to betray one another, but fortunately, it’s metaphorical and not physical harm.

The Challenge” doesn’t require much explanation except to note that no one actually dies in the series; instead, they are shot with paintballs, which some may find distasteful. Additionally, it can be tough to watch as it resembles a show portraying the harsh realities of capitalism and income inequality while contestants wear “Squid Game” uniforms. You can find this series on Netflix.

2025-01-13 20:30