Siobhán McSweeney has been announced as the host of ‘The Traitors Ireland’. Photo: Phil Sharp
Derry Girls actor Siobhán McSweeney will host the Irish version of the hugely popular reality show The Traitors, RTÉ has announced.
An Irish adaptation of the series comes following a number of versions around the world, including award-winning adaptations in the UK, US and the Netherlands. A nationwide casting call earlier this year drew thousands of applications and will feature group of contestants “from around the country”.
“Like everyone, I am a huge Traitors fan so when I was asked to host the Irish version I jumped at the chance. I’m looking forward to meeting our loyal Faithful and delicious Traitors,” said Cork-born McSweeney, who played school principal Sister Michael in Derry Girls and also hosts Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throw Down.
“The Irish have a charm and ability to deceive while smiling which will make this version rather special, I think. And I’m the luckiest person in the world to watch them close up.”
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Set to be shot on location in Ireland and produced by Kite Entertainment, the competition sees 22 strangers placed in a remote castle for a game of “deception, betrayal and trust” – with a €50,000 prize up for grabs.
A number of ‘traitors’ will be among the contestants, who will secretly attempt to ‘murder’ a fellow player every night without getting caught. The other players, the ‘faithfuls’, try to detect who the traitors are in an effort to remove them from the game.
The group will also go on missions each day and work together to add more money to the prize pot. Any faithfuls who can survive all the way to the end of the game have a chance to take home the money, but a traitor could walk away with the whole pot if they remain undetected.
“We’re really looking forward to bringing The Traitors Ireland to RTÉ audiences and delighted that Siobhán is going to be at the heart of it,” RTÉ’s director of video Steve Carson said.
“She is an incredibly talented actor with a great comic and dramatic range. We know that she is going to bring something really special to Ireland’s version of this fantastic game of trust and deceit.”
The Traitors Ireland will air on RTÉ and RTÉ Player in 2025.