Unmasking the Traitors: Ross, the Energetic Video Director Ready to Take on the Mind Games

In the nail-biting psychological reality competition “The Traitors,” season 2 of which is premiering Wednesday 3 January on BBC One, 22 strangers gather at a beautiful castle in the Scottish Highlands to play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing, and trust. Hosted by the charismatic Claudia Winkleman, the show promises drama, suspense, and a chance to win up to £120,000. However, hidden among the players are the Traitors, whose job is to secretly murder a player every night without getting caught. It’s up to the other players, known as the Faithfuls, to try to detect the Traitors and banish them from the game before becoming their next victim.

Amidst this thrilling premise,  Ross, a talented 28-year-old Video Director from Lancashire. Ross, known for his work behind the camera, is ready to face the challenge of being in front of it on “The Traitors.” When asked about his motivation for applying to the show, Ross shared, “Just to throw myself into the deep end of something, I’m so used to being behind a camera that it’s actually very nerve-racking for me to be in front of one. This is something new and I’m well up for the challenge.”

Having watched the first series of “The Traitors,” Ross was captivated by the show’s refreshing and intense nature. He expressed his admiration for Aaron, a former contestant, for his genuine and open approach to the game. Ross believes that honesty is the best policy when it comes to playing a game like this, and he intends to bring that same transparency and fun to the competition. When asked about what qualities he’ll bring to the game, Ross said, “I think I’ll bring a little bit of liveliness. I’m definitely not going in it to take it too seriously. Obviously, it is a game, and I am in it to play but, I’m not really there to play a game to be honest with you. I’m just in it to have a little bit of fun and hopefully, provide a little bit of energy to the camp.”

When reflecting on his potential role as a Traitor, Ross admitted that while it would be a bit gutting for him, he feels confident in his ability to play the game. Drawing from his experience playing Among Us, Ross acknowledged that lying to fellow contestants might put him on edge but is ultimately part of the game. He humorously added, “I mean, I can throw a few people under the bus if needs be. It’s a game at the end of the day isn’t it, it’s not life or death.”

On the other hand, if Ross finds himself as a Faithful player, his game plan involves befriending everyone and charming them to learn their secrets. As a skilled reader of people’s personalities from his work, Ross believes he would excel at spotting liars. He acknowledged that being too nice or too accusatory can backfire in the game, and he plans to navigate the challenges strategically by observing and discovering who his true allies are. Ross said, “It’s a tricky one because I do think if you’re too nice and you’re too loving, people can see that as a threat and then target you because they think you’re weak. If you’re popular they might want to get you out, if you’re pointing fingers too much, they might want you out. You don’t want to point fingers because that’s when you get stabbed in the back. You have to almost play the silent game and figure out who your friends are. It’s a tricky one as a Faithful, it’s probably tricker to do that than be a Traitor and get to the end.”

Excited about the missions that await him on “The Traitors,” Ross expressed his enthusiasm and confidence in his physical and mental abilities. While he hopes the challenges won’t involve spiders, Ross believes his active nature, problem-solving skills, and linguistic proficiency would serve him well in various tasks. When asked about how he would spend the prize money, Ross pondered the idea of a mini-holiday and saving up for a house, a responsible choice mixed with a well-deserved getaway. Ross said, “If I won, I don’t actually know. Maybe a mini holiday and then save up for a house? A bit boring, well the holiday isn’t, but you know, all the adult stuff.”

As Ross prepares to embark on this thrilling adventure on “The Traitors,” he brings with him an infectious energy and willingness to embrace the unknown. With his unique perspective as a video director, it will be fascinating to see how Ross navigates the twists and turns of the game. Be sure to tune in to the exciting second season premiere of “The Traitors” on Wednesday, January 3, at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.