'James Acaster is mesmerising on Celebrity Traitors for most unique reason', Amol Rajan

The first night of Celebrity Traitors felt less like a game show and more like a courtroom drama, with the house echoing the clack of footsteps and the murmur of conspiracies. In the dim glow of the castle’s great hall, James Acasterknown for his quick wit on The Last Legseemed oddly calm, his eyes scanning the room as if he could read the hidden motives of every other contestant. The tension was palpable, but Acaster’s presence was a quiet counterpoint to the chaos that would soon erupt.

When the first round of eliminations began, three well‑known facesMyha La, Bella Ramsey, and Julie Hesmondhalghwere sent home. The decision felt abrupt, almost accidental, as the article notes that none of them had committed any wrongdoing. Myha La, a beloved actress, was described as “lovely” and “infinitely nicer” than her character Harper Stern. Her exit left many viewers, including the columnist, feeling a pang of sympathy.

The article hints at a moment that might have tipped the scales: a wink from Myha La to a fellow contestant named Richard during the first roundtable. It also mentions a playful interaction between La and Hannah Fry over shields. These seemingly trivial exchanges were framed as part of a larger narrative where the “herd” moves, echoing a quote attributed to Boris Johnson. The herd’s collective decision, driven by unseen alliances, ultimately sealed La’s fate.

Bella Ramsey, famed for her role in The Worst Witch, was portrayed as a “fun car ride” companion to Julie Hesmondhalgh. The article paints the Land Rover rides as a setting where contestants could reveal their true selves, away from the castle’s scrutiny. Despite her “unusual mix of problem‑solving nous” and “beneath‑the‑radar disposition,” Bella fell victim to “smart Traitor tactics,” which the article suggests were aimed at eliminating the “blameless.” The narrative implies that Bella’s closest ally, Sebastian Bash Croft, might have been a more suitable target, yet the game’s mechanics favored a different outcome.

Julie Hesmondhalgh, known for her role as Hayley Cropper on Coronation Street, was described as “the nicest woman in showbiz.” The article recounts her appearance on stage in a play about Jacob Dunne, highlighting her “phenomenal” performance. In the castle, Julie faced three major challenges: her outspoken suspicions, her decision to keep information to herself, and a “brutal charge” led by James Blunt. The narrative suggests that these factors made her a target, culminating in her elimination.

The columnist’s voice, tinged with frustration, captures the unpredictability of the show. The phrase “when the herd moves, it moves” recurs, underscoring the collective power of the contestants’ decisions. The article ends with a call to stay tuned for future twists, hinting that the drama is far from over.

As a writer, I find the juxtaposition of celebrity personas against the backdrop of a medieval‑styled game fascinating. It reminds us that even those who seem invincible on screen can be vulnerable when stripped of their familiar roles. The next episodes will likely reveal whether the “massacre of the innocents” will continue or if a new narrative will emerge, reshaping the castle’s alliances and the audience’s expectations.