The Traitors Ireland is set to return for a further two series after programme makers signed a ‘three series deal’ with Slane Castle to host the show, Extra.ie has learned.
The debut series of the hit show – which was broadcast over four weeks last month – was a resounding hit for RTÉ, attracting a total audience of over 2.1 million people.
Immediately after the grand finale of the first series, the national broadcaster announced they were seeking applicants for a second run. Tens of thousands of hopefuls have already applied.
Extra.ie has learned Alex Conyngham, the Lord of Slane Castle and the son of the late Lord Henry Mount Charles, has inked a deal with Kite Productions to stage the show for ‘at least’ two more seasons.
The series was filmed entirely within the historic walls of Slane Castle which is already famous for staging legendary rock concerts.
Producers said the castle’s atmospheric interiors and dramatic grounds made it the ideal Irish home for the format, which sees 24 contestants compete for a €50,000 prize while trying to root out the secret ‘traitors’ in their midst.
Staging the series at Slane was the brainchild of Alex Conyngham, who has assumed the running of the historic castle along with his brother Wolfe.
A source told Extra.ie: ‘Alex heard that there was a new show that required a castle setting, so he took the initiative and got in touch with producers, and they jumped at the chance to hire Slane. And it wasn’t just a one-year deal – they have both signed on for a three-series deal.’
The programme has been a big hit with younger viewers achieving an average 70% viewership share among 18 to 44-year-olds.
It has also racked up more than four million streams to date on the RTÉ Player, with companion show The Traitors Ireland Uncloaked clocking up a further 590,000 streams so far.
Each episode of The Traitors Ireland drew an average audience of 557,000 and the grand finale pulled in 732,000 viewers and recorded a 57% overall audience share as Oyin, Kelley, and Vanessa were crowned winners.
