An eight-part series is being produced by Gestmusic (Banijay Iberia) for HBO Max, where it will play locally as Traitors España.
Independent distributor All3Media International and HBO Max today announced a brand-new commission for idtv’s ratings-winning psychological adventure format, The Traitors, as HBO Max orders a local adaptation for Spain.
An intense psychological game in which players must decide who they can trust, The Traitors was originally developed by idtv and All3Media for RTL4 in the Netherlands, and has already been commissioned in the UK, the US, Norway, France Belgium and Australia.
This latest deal will see The Traitors heading to Spain, with an eight-part series being produced by Gestmusic (Banijay Iberia) for HBO Max, where it will play locally as Traitors España. The adaptation has wrapped filming in an atmospheric castle in Spain featuring 18 celebrity contestants and hosted by actor and director Sergio Peris-Mencheta.
This latest commission will follow recently announced adaptations for M6 in France, which will feature fourteen celebrity contestants including Olympian David Douillet, his wife Vanessa Douillet, model and TV presenter Delphine Wespiser, actor Bruno Sanches and influencer and comedian Just Riadh. In addition adaptations are in production for NBCUniversal’s Peacock platform in the US, hosted by Alan Cumming, and for BBC One in the UK, hosted by Claudia Winkleman. Both versions are produced by Studio Lambert, part of the All3Media group. The Traitors has also been commissioned by Network 10 in Australia and TV2 in Norway and it has been adapted for VTM in Belgium (Flemish) and RTL TVI in Belgium (French).
The Traitors was created by idtv’s Chief Executive Marc Pos and Creative Director Jasper Hoogendoorn. The format was further developed with the RTL Creative Unit and produced by idtv. Launched in March 2021 as De Verraders on RTL4, it attracted an impressive 43% share among Adults 25-54 and 50% share among Adults 16-24. A second series was ordered after just two episodes of the first series aired. The second series airing in April 2022 was also a hit exceeding the slot benchmark by 17%. Currently idtv is producing the third season of The Traitors.
The Traitors is a nail-biting psychological adventure in which treachery and deceit are the name of the game. In an atmospheric castle, eighteen celebrities come together. Their mission is to complete a series of challenges with the objective of earning a cash prize. But the catch is three of them are chosen to be traitors, and they must devise a plan to steal the prize instead of sharing it among the rest. In this gripping psychological format, will they be unmasked in time?
All3Media International is distributing the format worldwide and will sell the tape version of both the UK, US and Australian adaptations. The Traitors received C21’s International Format Award for Best Competition Reality Format earlier this year.
Marc Pos, CEO at idtv, commented: “We are extremely proud that HBO Max has chosen to adapt our psychological adventure reality series The Traitors and I look forward to our collaboration. The Traitors is currently conquering the world and with Spain soon to have their own local series, I can’t wait for the response from their audience.”
Annelies Sitvast, Head of Unscripted Production, HBO Max EMEA, said: “We are delighted to bring The Traitors to HBO Max, this intriguing format is guaranteed to offer a nail-biting battle between good and evil where no one knows who to trust, and we can’t wait to see everyone’s game plans unfold. The psychological battle between contestants, the incredible settings and some amazing participants is a recipe for success.”
Tinet Rubira, general manager Gestmusic (Banijay Iberia) said: “We have created a Spanish adaptation of The Traitors for HBO Max with a Spanish audience in mind. It is cinematic, with a production scale which means viewers will become completely immersed in this world full of twists, turns and treachery”.
Stephen Driscoll, EVP, EMEA & European Coproductions at All3Media International, added: “The Traitors is a fantastic example of the strong potential of a truly great idea. This collaboration between idtv and RTL Creative Unit offers everything our international partners – and their viewers – are looking for right now in their reality content: thrilling challenges, fascinating group dynamics, constant plot twists, and plenty of scheming and double-dealing. Now we can add proven ratings success in key territories and partnerships with leading platforms such as HBO Max, we’re confident this is just the beginning of The Traitors’ global journey.”
