Hannah Byczkowski, the stand-up comedian who emerged victorious from the inaugural series of the BBC's hit show, The Traitors in 2022, has reflected on how the intense reality TV experience inadvertently sharpened her comedic craft. Despite already being a full-time comedian prior to her television appearance, Byczkowski admitted that the show didn't immediately pave the way for easier or more prominent gigs within the comedy circuit. Instead, she faced a sentiment from bookers and fellow comedians that she still needed to 'earn her stripes'.
Byczkowski's journey into comedy followed a significant career change from palliative care. She explained that a 'midlife crisis' led her to recognise the end of her time in a role where she assisted individuals at the end of their lives, having lost sensitivity for the work. Seeking a creative outlet, she explored writing before discovering her passion for stand-up, which she pursued full-time just before her appearance on The Traitors.
Reflecting on her time on the show, Byczkowski described filming as one of the most 'traumatic experiences' she's had, albeit in a 'fun way'. She highlighted the unseen camaraderie and laughter shared between takes, contrasting sharply with the on-screen tension of accusing fellow contestants of being 'traitors'. She drew a surprising parallel between the dynamics of The Traitors and the comedy circuit, noting that both environments can involve similar levels of intense interaction and scrutiny.
While the television exposure didn't directly lead to an immediate uplift in gig opportunities, Byczkowski believes the experience ultimately contributed to her development as a performer. She hasn't encountered heckling related to her Traitors fame, suggesting that audiences may not always connect her stage persona with her reality TV triumph. Her current show, 'Killer', is playing at the Gilded Balloon Teviot in Edinburgh from 5th to 30th August.
Byczkowski also shared insights into her comedic influences, expressing admiration for figures like Alan Carr and Daisy May Cooper, valuing their inherent humour over adherence to joke structure. She recalled a particularly challenging gig in Skegness where a malfunctioning timer led to a significantly shortened set, and a recent joke about confusing 'cocky-T' (cocktail abbreviation) with a 'cockatoo' bird, which she is convinced is brilliant but has yet to land with an audience.
The Traitors is available to stream in the UK on BBC iPlayer.
Source: Interview with Hannah Byczkowski