Alan Cumming says The Traitors works because he’s ‘stomping around like a big femme daddy’ (Getty Images)

Alan Cumming has made his return to The Traitors US as its host and believes the show is thriving partly because of what he brings to the series.

In an interview with Out, the Scottish actor said he loves fronting the reality competition and enjoys tapping into what he called his “unapologetic queerness” in the Scottish castle setting.

“I love it! It’s really such fun. It’s got a fascinating demographic. We’ve got a hefty amount of our acronym represented. Look at me stomping around like a big femme daddy!” Cumming said.

He added that his wardrobe has become part of the appeal: “I think it’s hilarious that that’s such a big part of the show’s success. I’m a 61-year-old man with eyeshadow and a dress. I’m embracing smashing the binary with my outfits! Hopefully that will help in some little way.”

Cumming’s tartan-and-couture hosting style has become a calling card for the US version of The Traitors, with its heightened tone and castle drama helping turn the show into a magnet for online memes.

The franchise has also continued to expand internationally, with spin-offs in multiple territories. In September, Peacock revealed the celebrity line-up for season five, including Bianca Del Rio and Johnny Sibilly, ahead of a 2027 launch, with contestants once again heading into Alan Cumming’s reality mind game.

Cumming also discussed his new series Tip Toe, in which he portrays a gay man who experiences violent homophobia in Manchester, England.

He said: “It’s about this disconnect with our culture that we have right now. This show is about vilifying low-hanging fruit in society, which is often queer people, trans people, immigrants, refugees… people like that. The American government is supporting the vilification of all of these groups. We’ve got to draw a line in the sand. Hateful rhetoric and violence are going unchecked.”

Tip Toe is streaming now on Channel 4 and STARZ.

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