Racial bias on The Traitors needs to be addressed at the roundtable

Like millions around the nation, I look forward to every new season of The Traitors – but there’s one dark cloud hanging over the castle that I feel the contestants need to address head-on. 

After three civilian and one celebrity season of the hit reality series, its popularity is still rising as we hit the halfway point of season four. But amid the growing viewing figures and delightful twists and turns, there’s also a sinister undercurrent.

In what is now becoming an exhausting seasonal trend, fans noticed last week that, once more, the people of colour in the castle seem to be disproportionately targeted for banishments and murders early on.

Since we’re having the same rinse and repeat discourse as we enter our fifth season, however, I’m surprised that it still hasn’t been discussed in the castle.

This racial bias has been evident from the very start of this season, when Netty and Judy, both Black women, were the very first to be banished and murdered. Ross has also said goodbye, and, in another blow during the latest episode, Maz was tragically murdered. 

That leaves Faraaz and Roxy as the only non-white contestants left in the castle, just five episodes in. I felt really disappointed, to say the least, to see the group of six whittled down so quickly and disheartened that the usual biases were cropping up once again. 

It’s enough to ruin an otherwise brilliant TV watching experience.

What makes their exits even more uncomfortable is the way they are labelled. Season two’s Kas was compared to serial killer Harold Shipman, chess coach Anthony was called ‘aggressive’ and Tameka was called out for ‘going on the offensive’. 

Often, all of this happens with little evidence or simply because they are more vocal.

It’s sad to admit that I’m hardly surprised.

But we’ve seen this in the castle before. In the celebrity season, which aired over the autumn, we saw Niko banished first, for simply exuding traitorous vibes, followed by Tameka, who another contestant considered untrustworthy. 

Other instances across the seasons have included the tragic banishment of Kasim, with viewers worried he was being ‘bullied and shunned’ by the other players, and many were left feeling uncomfortable, including myself. 

Seeing his genuine anguish at being avoided by everyone genuinely broke my heart and it was even worse to see very few people rushing to reassure him or apologise he felt that way, despite the fact it is a game and not meant to be personal. 

Some people of colour make it further into the game, although the way they have been treated has raised concerns, like Cat Burns, who was praised for her quiet confidence. But that does seem to suggest that, as a Black woman, people expected she would be louder.

Or when season two’s Jaz, theories were never taken seriously.

Noticing that there is racial bias doesn’t mean that people of colour should never be banished and murdered – it’s the whole point of the game. 

It will inevitably happen to most at some point down the line. And when it happens, it will come with accusations about shifty behaviour and questionable actions. 

However, the way people of colour are treated in the castle is clearly distinct. It has now become all too easy for me to predict that if you are not white, you’re more likely to be up for the chopping block early on or have to behave a certain way to slip under the radar.

So, I find myself wondering why no one on the show has discussed it.

While there could be an unconscious bias at play – that might not appear obvious to those exhibiting it. 

But I believe the only way to bring justice to this conversation is to bring the discussion out of social media and into the castle.

Last week, when Judy was criticised for no longer being ‘cheerful’ or ‘cracking jokes’ as she had at the train station, I felt maybe a light could have been shone on the issue when Roxy was defending her mum. 

I hoped that there was more she would say but perhaps she felt she couldn’t.

In the end, Roxy settled for calling out co-star Sam for his suspicions and for seemingly pressuring others to fall in line with him.

If there was an opportunity to raise this very important discussion around racial bias in the castle, I think contestants need to seize it. 

I understand why it hasn’t been the case so far. If a white person’s unconscious bias has caused this pattern in banishments, I am not sure I believe they would be able to recognise it themselves. 

This risks putting the onus on a person of colour to breach the uncomfortable topic of racism, making the gameplay more personal.

However, I would argue that the targeting of minorities (whether intentional or unintentional) is just as personal and deserves to be called out.

If there are worries about specifically criticising one contestant, then there is still scope to raise it in a more general context.

It could provoke a thoughtful conversation among the cast to reflect on their metrics for treacherous behaviour and whether they might be being informed by someone’s skin colour.

Frankly, reality TV can’t keep getting away with it, and sometimes drastic measures need to be taken.

This is a phenomenon hardly unique to the Traitors.

Last month I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here marked its 25th season, crowning a white winner – Angry Ginge –  with the people of colour long gone.

And, of course, shows like Love Island have been consistently accused of perpetuating the ‘angry Black woman’ trope. 

I don’t know how the rest of the season will pan out. Although Roxy has managed to avoid suspicion so far with the help of the Traitors turning on one another, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s banished as soon as she becomes vocal at the round table.

Faraaz, who has kept his head down for most of the show, could have a good chance of making it far as well.

One thing I am worried about, however, is that this vital issue won’t be tackled this time around on air.

But, with the show guaranteed to return for another season, I hope future contestants can heed the warnings they’ve seen on the outside and bring that energy to the show so we can finally address the elephant in the room.

Because racial bias shouldn’t exist in our TVs or real life, and if it does, someone should call it out for what it is – racist.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk. 

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