Crime writer in her element on TV show ‘The Traitors’

Posted: Monday Aug 14, 2023

Crime novelist Vanda Symon is a contestant on The Traitors, a murder mystery game show on Three

Crime writer in her element on TV show ‘The Traitors’ | Otago Daily Times Online News (odt.co.nz)

A Dunedin crime writer has taken her talent for sabotage to the national stage in a television murder mystery show.

The Traitors, hosted by Paul Henry, is a murder mystery game show where players complete challenges in the hope of winning a $70,000 prize.

Among the 19 contestants are three "traitors" tasked with duping their team-mates out of their hard-earned cash.

The show, which premiered on Monday on Three, has already been a smash hit, more than 450,000 viewers tuning into the first two episodes.

Contestant Vanda Symon said her career as a crime writer had led to all sorts of strange opportunities, but being broadcast to a national audience was one she had never expected.

"Never in my wildest dreams."

When offered a spot on the show, she knew she might never get this opportunity again.

Having watched the original Dutch version, she thought the game format lent itself well to her skill set.

The show might also be an opportunity to gather ideas for future novels, she said.

"What happens when you get a group of people who don’t know who to trust? That makes great fodder.

"Everything in life is fair game when you’re a crime writer."

Symon is well-known as the author of her bestselling Sam Shephard detective fiction series.

If her protagonist had starred on the show, Sam would have found it "an interesting challenge", needing to balance her police observation skills against her faith in humanity.

Symon was joined by a star-studded cast of Kiwi celebrities.

TV personality Mike Puru, rapper Kings and comedian Justine Smith all feature on the show.

She was especially excited to meet Brodie Kane and Colin Mathura-Jeffree.

The cast were a beautiful bunch of people, with unique perspectives and backgrounds.

She was pleased to represent our small southern city.

"I don’t know if I’d say that Dunedin specifically breeds liars, cheaters and deceiving people.

"We’re a bit hardened, aren’t we."