Dutch Broadcasters Rejected The Traitors for Five Years, Reveals Creator Marc Pos, Before It Eventually Attained Global Success

BBC’s The Traitors has gripped viewers with its shocking twists and turns this series.

But the show nearly come close to never existing as no one was interested in the idea for a whole five years, while it was being pitched.

Dutch creator Mark Pos, the mastermind behind the show, has revealed that his hit psychological thriller was ignored about 40 or 50 times before it was gradually snapped up.

Watch Live Sports Streaming!

Before the hit BBC show become a hit success in the UK and the US, Mark explained it took a while for show to gain popularity in the Netherlands – where he first pitched the show. 

In an interview with GQ, Mark said: ‘I pitched it for five years, and nobody wanted to buy it. I probably pitched it 40 or 50 times to broadcasters [in the Netherlands] – some of them said to me, “Oh no, not again.”

BBC’s The Traitors has gripped viewers with its shocking twists and turns this series, but it nearly come close to never existing since no one was interested in the idea for a whole five years, while it was being pitched

Dutch creator Mark Pos, (pictured) the mastermind behind the show, has revealed that his hit psychological thriller was ignored about 40 or 50 times before it was gradually snapped up by broadcasters around the world

‘But when we made the first series in November 2020, I had a feeling that this was something really special. And when we aired it at the beginning of 2021, it was immediately a success. 

‘During the series there were already countries calling us to try to [buy the format]. I think by episode three there was already some interest from big countries like the UK and US.’

Mark created the format of all The Traitors but the broadcasters in each country decided whether they wanted to use celebrities or everyday people.

The Dutch creator admitted he was pleased that the BBC chose to run the show with ‘normal people’, because it adds more ‘surprise’ to the competition.

However, now the show is reportedly being lined-up for a celebrity spin-off version of the show following the success of the first two series.

Insiders have claimed producers are hoping to have the choice of a number of big stars who are themselves fans of the reality programme.

As the second season approaches its end on Friday, names producers are likely to be eyeing are led by Wagatha Christie rivals Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. 

Others on the potential roster are said to be former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who finished third in 2022’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and Match of the Day host and former footballer Gary Lineker.

Before the hit BBC show become a hit success in the UK and the US, Mark explained it took a while for show to gain popularity in the Netherlands – where he first pitched the show

In an interview with GQ, Mark said: ‘I pitched it for five years, and nobody wanted to buy it. I probably pitched it 40 or 50 times to broadcasters [in the Netherlands] – some of them said to me, “Oh no, not again.”

Mark created the format of all The Traitors but the broadcasters in each country decided whether they wanted to use celebrities or everyday people

The Dutch creator admitted he was pleased that the BBC chose to run the show with ‘normal people’, because it adds more ‘surprise’ to the competition

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Bosses want big names as the show is getting big viewing figures, and they know they’ll have plenty to choose from as The Traitors has huge fans within the showbiz world…

‘But they also want stars who are likely to be great game-players and who have great survival skills, the ability to double-cross or a way of sniffing out a back-stabber. 

‘Rumours of a celebrity series have naturally swirled since The Traitors launched in 2022 and the show became an instant hit — but they have been unfounded ­gossip until now.’

The insider added that BBC bosses wanted the civilian version of the show to become well established before they started work on planing out a celebrity version.

However, the first two series have proved such successes that telly bigwigs have apparently decided to push on with the celebrity spin-off. 

‘They’re shooting for the stars too,’ the insider added. ‘Because they don’t see why they can’t attract the same calibre of people that currently sign up for Strictly and I’m A Celebrity.’

MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.

The Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman has previously said she hoped some big names would appear on a celebrity version of the show.

The Traitors is reportedly being lined-up for a celebrity spin-off version of the show following the success of the first two series (host Claudia Winkleman pictured)

It is claimed producers are hoping to have the choice some big stars who are fans of the reality show, including Wagatha Christie rivals Coleen Rooney (left) and Rebekah Vardy (right) (pictured during the trial in May 2022)

The Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman has previously said she hoped some big names would appear on a celebrity version of the show, including Andrew Garfield (pictured last week)

Former Health Secretary Matt Hancock (right), who finished third in 2022’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker (left) are also suggested names

Claudia has also said she would love This Morning host Alison Hammond to appear on a celebrity version of The Traitors (Alison pictured on This Morning earlier this month)

Naming some people she would like to see appear, she said: ‘Victoria Coren, Kirsty Young, Adam Woodyatt, Stephen Fry, Alison Hammond… let’s do that.’

It comes after The Traitors viewers predicted Harry’s downfall after he decided to keep getting a shield a secret in a very elaborate plot in Friday’s episode.

The British Army Engineer, 23, has become a fan favourite for his sly tactics as a Traitor after a shock twist saw him throw Paul under the bus in shocking scenes.

However, fans have predicted that he has made a grave error and claimed he has become ‘too cocky’ as they pointed to two actions that signaled his ‘downfall’.

They claimed he had made two big mistakes, one in hiding the fact that he got a shield, and the second in recruiting Ross to the Traitors, in the dramatic episode. 

Harry had secured a shield – giving him immunity against ‘murder’ from the Traitors – during the latest mission, and was seen grabbing the prize by his close friend Molly.

However, he told her not to tell anyone as he decided to keep winning the shield a secret from his fellow contestants as he thought through a very elaborate ploy.

Speaking to camera, he said he planned to recruit another Traitor overnight, before telling his co-stars the next morning that he must have been targeted but couldn’t be killed due to his shield when nobody goes home.

The Traitors viewers predicted Harry’s downfall after he decided to keep getting a shield a secret in a very elaborate plot in Friday’s episode

Harry secured a shield – giving him immunity against ‘murder’ – during the latest mission, and was seen grabbing the prize by his close friend Molly – but asked her to keep it a secret

However, fans pointed out that his plan was very risky as they warned him not to get too ‘cocky’, pointing to Paul’s downfall being due to his confidence after he put a spotlight on himself with his dungeon plan.

Others also claimed that the only way Harry’s plan would work successfully would be if he and Andrew recruited Jaz to become a Traitor, after he has secretly shared his suspicions about Harry.

Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – they wrote: ‘Harry is doing too much, why keep the shield a secret?? You’re instantly putting suspicion on yourself, especially as everyone else throughout the game has admitted when they’ve won a shield;’

‘Harry has just gone all in there…. Very risky;’ ‘Oh harry don’t get cocky lad that’s what did for Paul!’

‘They need to recruit Jaz. That’s the only way for Harry’s plan to work;’ ‘Harry is starting to make mistakes.’

Despite Harry asking her to keep the shield a secret, Molly placed all her trust in Harry and did not suspect him of being a Traitor, and kept his news quiet from the group as he promised to tell them over breakfast the next day. 

However, later in the episode, viewers further predicted that Harry had unknowingly sealed his downfall after he and Andrew decided to recruit Ross as part of his complicated plot.

Harry planned to recruit another Traitor, before telling his co-stars the next morning that he must have been targeted but couldn’t be killed due to his shield when nobody goes home

However, fans have predicted that he has made a grave error and claimed he has become ‘too cocky’ as they claimed his downfall was near

However, the Traitors are unaware that Ross is really former contestant Diane’s son, and has been left fuming after his mother was murdered earlier in the week.

Fan favourite Diane was murdered in a huge twist after drinking from a poisoned chalice, leaving Ross devastated as he vowed to get revenge.

Despite initially being reluctant to join the Traitors, he decided to switch teams due to a fear of being murdered and a desire to get ‘answers’ about Diane’s murder.

And his recruitment to the dark side didn’t change his plan for revenge as he continued to keep his family connection to Diane a secret from his fellow Traitors.

He slyly asked Harry why they had murdered Diane – without revealing the truth – with Harry replying: ‘Diane was just getting too brave and stuff, so we put her in her place.’

His answer left Ross fuming, as he vowed to get revenge against Harry for eliminating his mother from the show in a very unexpected twist.

He said to camera: ‘I could feel myself getting to boiling point. My mum was murdered, so I will take revenge, if I have an opportunity, they’re getting it.’ 

However, later in the episode, viewers further predicted that Harry had unknowingly sealed his downfall after he and Andrew decided to recruit Ross as part of his complicated plot

The Traitors are unaware that Ross is really Diane’s son and he vowed to get revenge on Harry for eliminating his mother in a shocking plot twist 

Fan favourite Diane was murdered in a huge twist after drinking from a poisoned chalice, and had an iconic exit from the show which saw her attend her own funeral and shut into a coffin

Viewers have predicted that Harry has unknowingly sealed his fate by recruiting Ross to the dark side as they predicted his elaborate plan would soon backfire on him.

They said: ‘Not Harry saying he was putting Diane in her place to her SON;’ ‘Thought that Harry had it in the bag to get to the final and win, but maybe not after recruiting Ross, he’s gonna get his revenge;’

‘Ross is going to avenge Diane, I don’t think Harry is in control anymore;’ ‘So until todays episode I’ve been rooting Harry as he’s played such a good game but now I’m like COME ON ROSS.’

The Traitors next airs on Wednesday 24 January on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.