Casting for the next series of the The Traitors is now open and underway, and us Yorkshire folk are being asked to apply.
There’s absolutely no denying The Traitors is a cultural phenomenon at this point, is there?
While the first series of the smash-hit BBC reality competition show proved pretty popular when it premiered back in 2022, the second series – which started airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at the start of the new year, and finished up last Friday (26 January) – took things to a whole new level, and truly seemed to capture the attentions of the nation like no other.
Viewers tuned in in their millions to the three episodes each week, and consistently took to social media to share their thoughts and weigh-in on every little twist and turn.
So it really doesn’t take much to work out that those millions of enthusiastic fans will be extremely keen for the next series then, does it?
BBC is currently casting for next series of The Traitors and wants Mancs to apply / Credit: BBC
Well luckily, the BBC has confirmed that series three of The Traitors is, in fact, happening and in the works as we speak – with the show’s producers, Studio Lambert, opening applications and actively-casting for the right participants.
A casting call on the BBC and Studio Lambert website reads: “The Traitors is back, and we’re looking for fun, smart, and strategic players to take part in the ultimate game.
“The Traitors is a competition series built on strategy and suspicion. The aim for the ‘Traitors’ is to stay undetected until the end, and the aim for the ‘Faithfuls’ is to banish all of the Traitors before the game ends. Throughout the series, there will be twists, turns, shocks and surprises for the players.
“It’s game of trust and treachery… but do you have what it takes to play?”
Reckon you’ve got what it takes then? Fancy sticking an application in for series three of the show? Why wouldn’t you.
To apply for series three of The Traitors, you just need to be over 18 years of age, a legal resident of the UK, and be available to take part in filming for the programme for up to four weeks – which is currently anticipated to be this spring or summer.
You have until Sunday 11 February to get your applications in, so you’ll need to be quick.
Nestled in Armley, Assembly House is an independent creative hub bringing artists together.
Assembly House, based on Canal Road in Armley inside a historic Victorian mill, has become a home for creatives across Leeds since launching in 2013.
The artist-led organisation combines working studios with an independent gallery and project space, hosting everything from exhibitions and workshops to community events and live music.
The space is currently home to 80 creatives who make up their community, comprising of professional practitioners including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators, video artists and designers.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their aim is simple - to offer affordable studios to emerging artists alongside technical support, producing support along with access to workshops, internal film screenings and events.
Assembly House offer a yearly program of exhibitions designed to showcase the studio holders and get their work out there. It's all aimed at helping the artists, whether it's their first show or tenth.
It has also helped bring art into the wider neighbourhood through community murals, public sculptures and activities for local people.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They believe art has the power to bring people together and to evoke emotion and thought, and we've got to say that we absolutely agree.
The space can also be hired by students and independent creatives looking to put on their own exhibitions or bring a project to life.
The fabulous venue is generally open to visitors during exhibitions, workshops and events, with visits by appointment at other times, so it's worth checking its website before heading over.
To have a look at their current programme and to find out more about what Assembly House are doing for Leeds and the community, you can take a look at their website here.
Leeds Palestinian Film Festival announces dates for 12th annual edition
Clementine Hall
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival has announced the dates for this year's festival.
This year's festival will explore the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour: "To make art is to say we are here."
These words will reflect the content of this year's festival, which aim to keep Palestinian stories alive; defy the erasure of history; and bring voices from the depths of destruction.
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival will open Friday 13 November at the iconic Hyde Park Picture House with Life Support, a documentary about doctors in Gaza directed by Daniele Rugo.
Image: Supplied
The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with the director and doctors from the film, chaired by Healthworkers4Palestine.
Early programme highlights include the UK premiere of Conversation with the Sea, Muayad Alayan's family drama in which a 60-year-old Palestinian man in Jerusalem, ordered by an Israeli court to pay a debt allegedly owed by his son who drowned decades ago, sets out to discover what happened.
Also showing will be Maggie Lemere's documentary, Land of Canaan, follows Palestinian farmers and their olive trees, some more than 1,000 years old, and the fair-trade movement led by Dr Nasser Abufarha to protect them.
Image: Supplied
Frances Bernstein, Festival Director, said: “To make art is to say we are here. We chose the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour as this year's theme because they reflect what the programme is for: keeping Palestinian stories alive, defying the erasure of Palestinian history, culture and identity, and bringing voices from the depth of destruction to audiences in Leeds."
The full programme, guests and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks. You can find out more here.
Emily Sergeant -
31st January 2024 
