Interview: Alan Cumming Talks Keeping a Straight Face During ‘The Traitors’

Alan Cumming may be known for his smiles and smirks as the deviously charismatic host of Peacock’s The Traitors, but that does not mean his job is all fun and games. In fact, there is genuine pressure on Cumming to keep the mansion’s secrets just as much as the players have to. After all, few other reality TV hosts are so heavily responsible for maintaining the core deception of their show.

“It’s a total nightmare,” says Cumming. “I’m one of these people where I think you can see everything on my face.”

The workaround, of course, is for Cumming to play a “character” of sorts, an easy feat for such an accomplished actor. He has no problem delivering his playful lines or striking a pose in his eccentric outfits, but safeguarding the secrets of the Traitors and the Faithful alike is a whole other story.

“Sometimes [players] say things to me and I know the truth, and I try not to lead them on the wrong way,” says Cumming. “It’s so compelling.”

And if fans have found these battles of wits between reality show icons as compelling as the host himself, then surely they will feel the same about the upcoming Traitors: New Blood, featuring an all-new cast of everyday civilians. Cumming managed to flex some new muscles as the host of this upcoming season, which premieres September 17th on NBC, with episodes arriving on Peacock the next day. Because the contestants were less familiar with the ins and outs of a TV set, he felt comfortable interacting with them a bit more, less at risk of falling pray to the manipulations of Survivor and Big Brother greats.

“I think it was more of an immersive experience for them,” says Cumming. “Whereas the people who are celebrities already know show biz a bit better, and know the theater of it.”

Cumming lauds the casting for New Blood as well, teasing some really unique personalities, as well as a true sense of competition that will feel decidedly different from previous iterations.

“It was so exciting, and also so tender, because these are real people that are fighting for a lot of money to change their lives, as well as having fun on a great game and a great show.”

Check out our full conversation with Alan Cumming about The Traitors below!