The Traitors is a reality TV show based on a social deduction game similar to Mafia or Werewolf. Contestants arrive at a castle, initially all labeled as "Faithfuls," but some are secretly chosen as "Traitors." The Traitors work together secretly each night to "murder" a Faithful, eliminating them from the game. During the day, all contestants discuss and vote to "banish" someone they suspect as a Traitor. If the Faithfuls manage to banish all Traitors before the end, the Faithfuls win the prize money. However, if any Traitors remain at the end, the Traitors claim the entire prize. The game involves deception, strategy, and deduction as players try to identify or hide their roles to win the prize.

Key elements include:

• Group discussions and voting at the Round Table to banish suspected Traitors.
• Nightly secret meetings of the Traitors to choose a Faithful to murder.
• Missions to build the prize fund.
• Possibility for Traitors to recruit Faithfuls later in the game.
• Final challenge where players decide to continue banishments or end the game.

The format creates intense psychological gameplay filled with suspicion, alliances, and manipulation.

This description applies to British and American versions of the show, both set in a castle in the Scottish Highlands. There is also a 2019 British drama series titled "Traitors" with a spy plot not related to the reality competition.

If more specifics about a particular version are needed, asking for that can refine the answer.