Alan Cumming on The Traitors: “I Feel Like Jennifer Aniston in The Morning Show But with Better Clothes”

Alan Cumming on The Traitors: “I Feel Like Jennifer Aniston in The Morning Show, But with Better Clothes”

Alan Cumming, known for his role as Eli Gold in The Good Wife, is bringing his acting prowess to the world of reality TV as the host of Peacock’s The Traitors. Despite the genre shift, Cumming approaches this role with the same dedication as any of his previous acting gigs.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Cumming shared, “I act my socks off in The Traitors, just like I did on The Good Wife.” For Cumming, hosting the murder mystery competition is akin to performing on stage or at the Tonys—it’s all about creating a character.

A key aspect of his transformation into the master of ceremonies is his wardrobe. “Getting dressed in the morning, stepping into your costume, and doing hair and makeup is crucial for me to understand the character,” Cumming explained. This attention to detail in his appearance helps him fully embody his role, much like he would for a theatrical performance.

However, there are unique challenges that come with this reality TV role. One of these is the reliance on an earpiece, where producers feed him lines and direction. “I enjoy having a little earpiece in,” Cumming remarked. “It makes me feel like Jennifer Aniston in The Morning Show, but with better clothes.”

While The Morning Show delves into the competitive world of morning news, The Traitors takes viewers to a Scottish castle where reality stars compete in a Mafia-like game involving intense physical challenges and the task of unmasking the traitors among them to win a six-figure cash prize.

Cumming teased that the upcoming third season of The Traitors will be full of surprises, even revealing that some of the traitors outshined him in their performances. “I can’t wait for you to see who it was and what they did,” he hinted. “They were lying so convincingly that they gave me a run for my money!”

When Cumming first signed on for The Traitors, he didn’t realize that his role would be more of a character than a typical host. “I didn’t quite understand why they wanted me,” he admitted. “But after meeting with them, I realized they wanted me to be theatrical and campy, to play this larger-than-life character and set the tone for the show. Once I grasped that, I was fully on board.”

And, of course, the costumes were a definite perk. “I’ve always been comfortable with androgyny and exploring my feminine side in fashion,” Cumming said. “I think it’s important to challenge people’s perceptions of what a man my age should wear. I love that a reality competition show like The Traitors can make bold statements about gender fluidity.”

Latest new from Owl Fashion Shop