Paul Gorton: The Traitors’ Most Divisive Villain Inspired by Patrick Bateman
If you tuned into The Traitors during its second season on BBC One, there’s a good chance you had a strong reaction to Paul Gorton. Whether you found him fascinating or infuriating, one thing was certain—he was hard to ignore. With over eight million viewers tuning in for the final episode, Paul Gorton became a central figure of conversation. His manipulative gameplay and strategic deceptions left audiences torn. But what inspired him to create such a divisive character? In a candid conversation, Paul opens up about his time on the show, the inspiration behind his character, and what he thinks about the reaction he received from viewers.
The Patrick Bateman Influence: Crafting a Villainous Persona
Sitting down with Paul, it’s immediately clear that he thrives on confidence. As he talks, it’s easy to see how he took control of his role as a “traitor” in the game. What took me aback during our conversation was his mention of American Psycho. When I asked him about his mindset going into the show, he casually dropped a bombshell: “I was reading American Psycho, trying to be like Patrick Bateman.”
For those unfamiliar, Patrick Bateman is the protagonist of Bret Easton Ellis’ controversial novel, a sociopath who takes pride in his manipulative and violent tendencies. Paul, of course, didn’t take things to quite that extreme, but he leaned heavily into Bateman’s emotionless demeanor to survive in the ruthless world of The Traitors.
“I read about three or four pages every night before bed,” Paul said. “Then, I’d write scripts for what I thought would happen the next day on the show. It was all about embodying someone who wouldn’t feel bad about lying and betraying everyone.”
This revelation sheds light on Paul’s unnerving ability to separate emotion from strategy. Unlike other contestants who struggled with guilt, Paul fully embraced the role of a sociopath, staying laser-focused on winning. And while some viewers hated him for it, others marveled at his sheer dedication to playing the game.
The Sociopath Strategy: Why Paul Felt No Guilt
Paul’s strategy was simple—disconnect from personal feelings, focus on the end goal, and do whatever it takes to win. “I didn’t feel bad for anything I did,” he admitted. “It wasn’t real life, and I wasn’t actually hurting anyone. I just had to remind myself that this was all a game.”
His approach to the game was unique. While other traitors wrestled with guilt, Paul viewed his actions as part of a performance. He saw his character as a cold, calculating sociopath who would stop at nothing to win. The online hate he received didn’t faze him either. In fact, Paul took pride in the divisive reactions he generated.
“I never cared if people hated me for it,” he said. “I wasn’t there to make friends. I was there to win. That’s what people don’t get—it’s a game. The character I created was someone who didn’t care about breaking trust. That’s why I never felt guilty. I was playing a part.”
The Cost of Villainy: Maintaining the Act
Though Paul mastered his role on The Traitors, even he admits that the act got tough at times. Interestingly, it wasn’t guilt over his betrayals that got to him, but homesickness. “My Achilles heel was missing my family,” he said. “If I didn’t have a family back home, I probably would have gone further.”
Paul’s emotional breakdown in Episode Four, dubbed “crocodile tears” by some, came from the struggle to keep his personal life out of the game. Despite the strong front he put on, there were moments where his real-life emotions bled through. Yet, he insists that those moments didn’t stop him from focusing on the game. If anything, they served as a reminder of the stakes.
The Gender Bias Debate: Did Misogyny Play a Role?
One of the most controversial aspects of Paul’s time on The Traitors was the apparent gender bias in the game. Out of six traitors, only one was a woman, and many fans, including host Claudia Winkleman, pointed out the team’s reluctance to recruit female contestants. When I brought this up, Paul was quick to address it.
“There was a big claim of misogyny,” he said, “but to me, it was all about manipulation. We weren’t avoiding women because we didn’t want to work with them. We just needed to recruit people who were easier to manipulate, and in that case, it happened to be men.”
Paul’s explanation might not sit well with everyone, but it reflects his pragmatic approach to the game. He didn’t view it through a gendered lens; for him, it was about strategy and finding the easiest targets to control.
Embracing the Hate: How Paul Thrived on Viewer Reactions
Paul seems to have a refreshingly practical view of the hate he received online. In fact, he wears it as a badge of honor. “People called me a sociopath, a psychopath, and I just laughed. That’s the character I wanted to create. He didn’t care about anything or anyone. That’s why it worked.”
Far from being discouraged by the negative reactions, Paul believes that his divisive role helped cement his place as a standout contestant. And since his time on the show, he’s only become more successful. “I’ve never been more successful than since I became a public liar,” he joked.
What’s Next for Paul Gorton?
Paul’s time on The Traitors may be over, but it’s clear that he’s not done with reality TV. In fact, he has big ambitions. After our interview, he was off to participate in a panel discussion on the future of reality television, sitting alongside top BBC executives. He’s also expressed interest in moving into comedy or presenting, confident that his time on the show has opened doors to new opportunities.
“I just think human behavior is fascinating,” he said in closing. “We all do whatever we need to do to win, whether it’s in life or on TV. I’ve always loved exploring that in any way I can.”
Paul Gorton might have been one of The Traitors most controversial contestants, but there’s no denying that he made his mark. Whether we’ll see him again on our screens remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—he’s not done shocking audiences just yet.
FAQs
Who is Paul Gorton from The Traitors?
Paul Gorton is a standout contestant from the second season of the BBC reality show The Traitors. He gained attention for his manipulative gameplay and villainous persona, which was inspired by the character Patrick Bateman from American Psycho.
Why did Paul Gorton read American Psycho?
Paul Gorton read American Psycho to help craft a sociopathic character for The Traitors. He used Patrick Bateman as a blueprint for his cold and calculating gameplay on the show.
Did Paul Gorton feel guilty during The Traitors?
No, Paul Gorton did not feel guilty for his actions during The Traitors. He saw his role as playing a character, separating the game from real life, and focused solely on winning.
Was Paul Gorton accused of misogyny?
Paul Gorton faced accusations of misogyny during his time on The Traitors, as many viewers noted that the traitors’ group recruited mostly men. Paul denies that gender played a role in their decisions, stating that they recruited people who were easiest to manipulate.
What is Paul Gorton doing now?
Since his time on The Traitors, Paul Gorton has been involved in discussions about the future of reality TV and is considering roles in comedy and presenting.
Will Paul Gorton return to reality TV?
Paul Gorton hasn’t ruled out a return to reality TV, but for now, he’s focused on exploring other career opportunities in entertainment and media.
