PURE GENIUS
David Tennant unveiled as host of reality game show of intrigue to rival BBC’s The Traitors
DOCTOR Who star David Tennant is to front a new game show where contestants use their brains, charisma and social intelligence to win.
Genius Game is a reality show that will see strategically minded players – chosen not just for their high intellectual prowess but also their social IQ and ability to build alliances – face the ultimate battle of survival.
Tennant, 52, will take on the role of “The Creator” in the eight-part ITV series, which originates from South Korea, and will guide players as they attempt to navigate each uniquely crafted challenge.
The show is already being billed as a cross between the BBC’s smash hit The Traitors and Netflix’s ratings-driver Squid Game.
Those playing will take part in a series of never before seen games which are all designed to not only test their intellectual acumen but encourage them to carefully and creatively use the art of manipulation to outfox their opponents and win a cash prize of up to £50,000.
Each episode features a Main Match and a Death Match. In the Main Match the contestants try to win a “token of life” guaranteeing them safety from elimination. The Death Match is a head-to-head challenge with the loser being eliminated. Contestants are selected taking into account their analytical reasoning, attention to detail, memory and loyalty, and are forced to form alliance and decide who to betray to be crowned “The Genius”.
Katie Rawlings, head of entertainment at the channel, said the Scots Broadchurch star is the perfect choice for the role.
She said: “This exciting reality format is designed to keep not just the players but the audience on the edge of their seats with each episode containing compelling gameplay and thrilling twists.
“David Tennant is the perfect ringmaster to preside over this battle of brainpower, teamwork and deception.”
The show will mirror The Genius, originally a South Korean production which aired from 2013 until 2015.
It pitted 13 contestants, often celebrities, against each other and challenges, known as matches, tested their strategic thinking and social skills.
The concept was sold to Banjay UK in 2023 and there has already been a Dutch version of the show.
Tamara Gilder, of Remarkable, part of Banjay UK, added: “We are so thrilled that David will be guiding the players through the twists and turns of the show. There’s nothing quite like Genius Game. It’s smart and funny, just like he is. He’s the perfect frontman.”
Earlier this week fans worked out that Tennant was the host after ITV ’s X account teased it with a number clue. They quickly deciphered that the numbers related to letters – AADDEINNNTTV – which are an anagram of David Tennant.
It’s smart and funny, just like he is. He is the perfect frontman
TAMARA GILDER ON DAVID TENNANT