This post contains spoilers from episode 10 of The Traitors: New Blood. Ben McDonnell was not going to sit back and play a low-key game on The Traitors: New Blood. He came in with his own personality and shared his thoughts on Traitor Katie Frites.
After catching two Traitors in a row, Ben, from Granbury, Texas, became the next victim and was murdered on Episode 10. Katie recruited Shane Beatty when Joe Vanella was banished earlier in the episode, which left her as the only Traitor.
Katie and Ben, a barrel racer, had kept their eyes on each other, as Ben always suspected Katie to be a Traitor and vocalized it. She decided that he was “smart and outspoken” and that it was his time to be murdered in the game.
He formed the Dolls Alliance with Abbey Benjamin, Clyde Moser, and Michael Foote. Ben talked about forming alliances with everyone in the house and how he hopes someone from his core alliance goes far.
Here is what Ben had to say about his time in the game, his fellow contestants, and more.
Euan Cherry/NBC
At this point in the game, the Faithful had gotten out two Traitors. When you saw the envelope, did you think you were being recruited?
Ben McDonnell: One-hundred percent, with certainty. I thought, “Okay. This is it. This is my time to shine.” I would’ve been amazing in that turret, but they got me instead.
When Katie was deciding on who to murder, she picked you because she said you were “smart and outspoken.” Do you think if you played a more low-key game, you would have made it further?
No, because this is me. I came into the game being exactly who I am. I didn’t want to be fake. Honestly, I could have been more me. One of my friends texted me and was like, “Why were you holding back? Let your true self shine.” So, I could have been even more outspoken.
Smart, though? Wow. I’m honored she said that. I ride horses all day, so I’m surprised she said that.
Why did you think Katie was a Traitor?
Are you kidding? Because it was obvious. Everyone would be worried and anxious, and she was calm and collected. She never seemed to worry. When you’re up for murder, it’s nerve-racking, but Katie would just sit there, eating breakfast, and be like, “Can you pass the toast?” She never seemed to be worried about getting murdered, so that was very obvious.
Since you had called Katie out before, do you think her murdering you made her look more like a Traitor to the others?
I hope so! I mean, everything is so unpredictable in this game, so the Faithfuls might have thought that it was random, but I hope they look and realize that Katie got me out.
How would your game have been different if you were a Traitor?
Oh! I would have had them all on their toes. I probably would have done random murders to throw them all off guard. I would have loved it so much, and it would have been chaotic and fun.
You were in the Dolls Alliance with Abby, Clyde, and Michael. How hard was it to form alliances/relationships with others in the house not knowing if they were Traitors or not?
Well, the thing is, I tried to make alliances with everyone. I was going up to everyone, being like, “Do you want to be in an alliance?” “Do you want to be friends?” That way I was covered on all bases. But I really did click with my Dolls, and I hope one of them makes it to the end.
If there was an all-star season or a chance to come back, would you return?
Yes, yes, yes! NBC, casting, whoever is reading this out there, please bring me back! I would love to play again. I would play even fiercer and harder.
Would you want to be on another show?
I’m an actor, so of course. However, I would want it to be a scripted show this time, focused on me. [laughs]
The Traitors: New Blood, Thursdays, 8/7c, NBC, Streaming next day on Peacock