BBC set for new hit with series dubbed 'Traitors meets Race Across the World'

08 February 2024 , 19:30

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The second series of The Traitors was ratings gold for the BBC (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Mark Mainz)

BBC bosses are hoping for another huge hit with a show dubbed “ The Traitors meets Race Across the World”.

The series, currently in development, crosses the trust and treachery elements of Claudia Winkleman’s reality 12-parter with the sleuthing and travel parts of Race Across the World. A production company is seeking pairs of friends or family members who are good at solving mysteries, for the new challenge reality show which sources say is ear-marked for BBC1.

Just like The Traitors, which is filmed in a Scottish castle, it will involve intense detective work and a cash jackpot. But instead of being filmed in the UK it will be set abroad, just like Race Across the World, which has run for three series in locations including South America and Canada. Another similarity is that it will feature teams of two people.

The untitled new show is described as a mix of The Traitors and Race Across the World (BBC/Studio Lambert)

TV production company Bandicoot - the company behind The Masked Singer - is currently casting for suitable couples. Producers asked: “Are you good at solving mysteries? Would you like the chance to film abroad and compete for a cash prize? If you are a couple with great detective skills, competitive siblings or best friends who can't stand to lose - we want to hear from you!”

It comes after The Traitors final, won by soldier Harry Clark, was watched by 8million viewers in January, making it one of the most popular shows of the past year. Since it launched at the end of 2022, many other channels have tried to emulate the show’s success by seeking their own “challenge reality” formats.

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In the summer ITV reality chief Paul Mortimer announced a format which was seen as his answer to The Traitors called The Fortune Hotel, described as “a game of trickery, secrecy and deception” set in a luxury Caribbean resort. Netflix had The Mole and, more recently, The Trust: A Game of Greed while Prime Video came up with 007: Road to a Million in which the pair of players who triumphed took home a cool £1m prize. A BBC spokesman said the new series, as yet untitled, was in development and not yet attached to a particular channel.

Nicola Methven