With millions of live viewers, The Traitors has defied the decline of terrestrial television. And now, as the British series 4 concludes, the creators of the hit BBC reality show have announced a stage version that will open in the West End next year. London already has The Traitors Experience, so this will be something completely different in terms of theatrical performance. The Traitors’ very own Studio Lambert is teaming up with Sir Sam Mendes’ Neal Street Productions to “reimagine the show as a bold and surprising theatrical performance”. Chief Executive Stephen Lambert said the move from screen to stage “is a hugely exciting next step for this much-loved brand. Faithful fans should expect an intense, joyful night out as we reveal a thrilling new hunting ground for our Traitors.” The play will be penned by John Finnemore (Good Omens) and directed by Olivier Award winner Robert Hastie (Operation Mincemeat, Standing at Sky’s Edge). But just how will they adapt the show? Here are four ways we think they could do it.

This is the most obvious and boring option. Condense a series of the Traitors into a two hour stage show with actors playing contestants, but with Claudia Winkleman as herself. Considering they’ve teased a “bold” and “surprising” take on the show, we think this option is the least likely.

Audience members are the contestants

The Traitors stage show could be unique each performance if random audience members joined actors on stage as some of the contestants. Perhaps too similar to the Traitors Experience attraction and certainly with the potential for chaos depending on who’s picked.

A real murder meta adaptation

Remember when Black Mirror’s Charlie Brooker did a horror miniseries where a zombie apocalypse happens during a taping of Big Brother? A meta take on The Traitors could be a take on a show like Squid Games, where those who are murdered are literally murdered. Too much? Okay, how about a story that follows the filming of The Traitors and it turns out one of the contestants is actually murdered during the production and they have to solve it?

The Traitors: The Musical!

As already mentioned, Robert Hastie is directing the stage show. He previously directed Operation Mincemeat and Standing at Sky’s Edge, which are both five-star, very British musicals. Could we be about to see singing and dancing Claudia Winkleman? Yes please. Meanwhile, John Finnemore, who is penning the script, is best known as a comedy writer having been a member of the Cambridge Footlights, so expect plenty of laughs.

The Traitors On Stage hits the West End in 2027.