Slow Horses star on joining Celebrity Traitors: “I think I can smell bulls**t”

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Nick, why join The Celebrity Traitors?

I’ve always been a huge fan of the show. This is actually the first time I’ve appeared as myself! I did Taskmaster before, which felt somewhat like me, but even then I chose to dress as Dracula to create a bit of distance. Usually, in my comedy, I perform in character, and I like to maintain that sense of mystery by not showing too much of myself. However, I couldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity! I’ve always enjoyed games like this, and getting to spend time with such a lovely group of people is a real privilege. I absolutely adore it.

So, your character Mr Swallow won’t be making an appearance?

It seems like Nick Mohammed was hired instead of Mr Swallow, which is a shame. And honestly, think about how frustrating that would be – not only for those involved, but for everyone watching! It’s a difficult situation.

You can often find useful strategies from your past experiences – maybe a motivational speech inspired by Ted Lasso?

Perhaps offering a powerful speech – similar to a motivational talk you’d see in Gladiator – could work well at the Round Table. However, it’s important not to stand out too much or make yourself a target. I wouldn’t feel comfortable being overly confident, as we saw with Kas [in series three]. He gave a toast to the first person to go and immediately became a suspect as a Traitor. He seemed like a genuinely lovely person, but I’d rather avoid falling into the same situation. It’s a delicate balance. If you try to blend in too much, people might assume you’re intentionally concealing something.

Have you got a strategy?

I’m planning to start by keeping things relaxed and going with the flow. I can think about a more detailed strategy later on, and it also depends on whether I end up as a Traitor or a Faithful player. It’s all about adapting to the situation.

As a huge fan of social deduction games, I’ve always found there’s a strange excitement in being labeled a Traitor – you get a little more agency, a little more control. But honestly, if I’m stuck as Faithful, I spend every night terrified I’m going to be eliminated! Still, I always think about the upside: I have a wonderful family waiting for me, so it’s really a win-win. When the game ends, I get to go back home and see them! It’s a nice thought to have while playing, honestly.

Have you done anything to prepare?

I’ve given it a lot of thought. It felt odd watching series three, knowing I’d be filming it myself in a few months. But every cast is different, so you can’t just repeat what earlier contestants did. I even had a couple of dreams about it. One was that I had to perform the entire challenge with an American accent!

Are you looking forward to the Missions?

I’m really excited! I love everything about it. Plus, the show is so delightfully over-the-top – it has this amazing gothic, Wicker Man kind of atmosphere. Yeah, I can’t wait!

Would you say that you’re good at reading people?

I can usually tell when someone isn’t being truthful, but when someone is lying about being a Traitor, it feels different – it’s a more complicated idea. You don’t *choose* that role, you’re chosen for it. And some people might be surprisingly good at it. That’s what makes it exciting.

Do you think you’ve got a good poker face?

Many of my colleagues will tell you I often burst into laughter. I’m most anxious about the very beginning of the game, when the blindfolds come off. Whether I’m assigned as a Traitor or one of the Faithful, I always have trouble keeping a straight face. It’s a real concern for me.

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2025-09-30 04:00