Industry star reveals how she'll be "battling" her character's persona on Celebrity Traitors

Celebrity Traitors star Myha'la has revealed she's "nothing" like her Industry character, saying she'll draw a clear line between herself and her character Harper Stern when she competes on the BBC reality series.

The actor, whose recent movie credits include thriller Dead Man Wire and horror They Will Kill You, is part of Celebrity Traitors season 2's 21-strong line-up. Speaking ahead of the show premiere on 1 October, Myha'la said she has nothing in common with her Industry character, ruthless financial trader Harper.

"I am nothing like Harper! I'm more of a 'kill them with kindness' kind of girl rather than a blatantly bullish bulldog," she said. "I'll be interested to see how this one goes because I feel like I will be battling Harper's persona and the perception of her. All that said, I want to be a Traitor. Obviously!"

Related: Celebrity Traitors star addresses absence from trailers: "I'm not in any of them!"

Myha'la motivated her wish to be a Traitor so she could stay in the game "as long as possible". She also thinks she would struggle as a Faithful. "I think as a Faithful, this is going to be really hard for me," she said.

"I've studied it enough to know that people like me who come in as super fans are seen as huge threats and once you're a threat, it doesn't matter who you are, people are going to target you," she added.

Myha'la continued: "As a Traitor at least I'll stay in the game long enough to prove myself a bit."

About distancing from Harper, Myha'la explained she even planned her outfits to make sure she's not seen as the character she's been playing since 2020. "It will be an insane uphill battle convincing people that I'm not Harper too! I've very deliberately planned the looks that I'm wearing to really separate and be seen as me and not that character," she said.

Related: The Traitors US unveils celebrity cast for season 5 - with a very surprising Love Island star

"I've got my jewellery; my hair is different. I've really, really, really planned this."

Myha'la and her 20 co-stars will retreat to a castle in the Scottish Highlands for a chance to win £100,000 for a charity of their choice.

The actor said her "biggest strength" is her "authenticity", saying that she loves "making friends and being sweet to people". But that might prove difficult if she's assigned the role of Traitor.

As for her biggest weakness, Traitors fan Myha'la thinks she will have "way too much fun" in the game.

"I'm afraid that I'm going to be too trusting, making too many friends," she said. "I feel like I'm really going to have to lock in and not blow my own cover."

As well as Myha'la, this year's cast includes Amol Rajan, Professor Hannah Fry, Michael Sheen, James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Joanne McNally, Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett.

Also taking part in the show are Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Ross Kemp, Sebastian Croft, Sharon Rooney, Richard E Grant, Maya Jama, Bella Ramsey, Joe Lycett, Miranda Hart and James Acaster.

The Celebrity Traitors debuts Thursday 1 October at 8pm BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked will follow on Thursday 1 October at 9.15pm on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides will be available on Thursday 1st October from 9.15pm on BBC iPlayer.

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Reporter, Digital Spy

Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy. 

Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).