TV Traitor Harriet Tyce's Novel Secret

Harriet Tyce, known for her role in BBC One's The Traitors, has revealed that her debut novel was significantly shaped by a creative writing course. Tyce pursued a master's degree in creative writing part-time at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich in 2017, during which she penned her novel, Blood Orange. The university's creative writing program is recognized among the top ten nationally. Tyce expressed her gratitude for the academic validation of crime fiction, noting that UEA's approach did not diminish the genre's readability or enjoyment. She found the course provided intellectual depth. The criminal barrister explained that she had previously considered shifting away from crime writing to be perceived as a more 'serious author.' Tyce successfully kept her participation in The Traitors a secret, calling it an 'irresistible opportunity' for an immersive experience. She acknowledged the reality show's potential risk to her book sales but ultimately found it to be a 'super-charge' for her professional career. Approaching her 50s, Tyce views the continued professional opportunities as a thrilling development, especially when she anticipated a winding down phase. Despite the positive professional impact of her television appearance, Tyce affirmed her strong preference for the literary world, stating she is happiest writing books.