How The Traitors' music plays with your emotions

The atmosphere of suspicion, intrigue, and deception in the show *The Traitors* is expertly supported by its unique musical score, which plays a crucial role in shaping viewers’ emotional experience. The soundtrack’s subtle cues, from ominous orchestral swells suggesting betrayal to playful chords adding humor during lighter moments, help manipulate audience perceptions throughout the series. However, the music isn’t always straightforward—it can emphasize true plot developments or deliberately mislead, reflecting the producers’ intent to keep viewers constantly guessing.

Sam Watts, the composer behind much of the incidental music and the main theme, faced early challenges due to the BBC’s initial hesitation around a program centered on murder. Determined not to make the score overly dark, Watts balanced the tone to reflect both the show’s sinister and theatrical elements, especially inspired by Claudia Winkleman’s hosting style. When presented with footage of Claudia and the castle, Watts realized the score needed a camp, dramatic flair, resulting in music that is simultaneously “dark but fun.” His goal was to create a memorable and hummable theme that would draw viewers’ attention as the show began, a concept influenced by his childhood admiration for Bernard Hoffer’s bold *Thundercats* theme.

The title music, noted as one of Watts’ most significant compositions, was recorded with a full orchestra and layered with electronic sounds to produce a heightened, almost surreal atmosphere. This cinematic approach extends across approximately twenty other pieces he composed, many of which are featured in international adaptations of the series. The production team deliberately aimed to give the show the feel of a high-stakes movie trailer, applying techniques common in trailer scores—such as the intense “Braam” sound first popularized in *Inception*—to amplify tension. Producer Sarah Fay emphasized the intention to elevate the series beyond the usual reality TV format, comparing it to shows and films like *Succession* and *Knives Out* to capture that “edge-of-your-seat cinematic drama” vibe.

In addition to Watts’ original compositions, the series incorporates a collection of eerie cover songs, including sinister renditions of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and Tears For Fears’ “Mad World.” These covers were created by the German duo 2wei, who were unaware their music was used in *The Traitors* until receiving excited messages from friends in the UK. Simon Heeger, co-founder of 2wei, explained that their past work ranges from film soundtracks such as *Mad Max* to high-profile trailers like Alicia Vikander’s *Tomb Raider*. Their style, characterized by big drums and orchestral elements combined with bold vocals, fits perfectly with the show’s themes of suspense and deception. Heeger noted that skills honed in commercial music production—conveying emotion powerfully within seconds—translate well to the show’s need for immediate and impactful musical storytelling.

Fans of *The Traitors* have embraced the soundtrack enthusiastically, creating numerous themed playlists on Spotify ranging from spooky murder mystery atmospheres to more relaxed selections blending tension with calm. Despite his music’s popularity, Watts acknowledges the playful and sometimes exaggerated nature of his compositions. He believes this element of “wink” in the score helps make the darker aspects of murder and betrayal feel entertaining, contributing to a more enjoyable viewing experience filled with both intrigue and fun

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More