Stephen Mangan hosts the ITV format show, offering a uniquely devilish twist on the simple premise of ‘follow the money’. Over two weeks, contestants become hotel residents, except when they get into their rooms, a briefcase is waiting for them, and for one lucky pair, their case could contain £250,000.
However, for another pair, the dreaded Early Checkout card. For the remaining eight couples, a case of worthless paper.
Across the two-week run, audiences witness the pairs partaking in ruthless backstabbing and espionage as they swap cases to hold onto the prized case whilst avoiding the one that’ll send them packing.
A simplistic premise, where its life-changing prize feels at home amongst its aspirational Grenadian landscape, that isn’t to say the show treats its audience as schmucks. Intellectually handled, the show settles like untouched snow. Untampered and pure. Perfectly executed, allowing audiences to sit back and bask in its majesty. And majestic it is. Set against the backdrop of the Caribbean island of Granada, the series invites us to explore the locale as much as the intentions of our cast.
Of course, episode one serves multiple purposes. It is a way of introducing the game, the cast and the hook, and more importantly, it sets the tone for the series to follow. In the case of The Fortune Hotel, its first episode also alludes to its comparative shows. The social deduction segments, sandwiched between challenges, will quickly remind of The Traitors, whilst its gorgeous landscapes bring to mind both Race Across the World and Death in Paradise. However, whilst the comparable titles are known, let us recognize the elephant in the room. Those shows for rival broadcaster BBC are top-rated.
Regularly drawing in audiences of over eight million, with Death in Paradise being the BBC’s second largest drama of 2023, each of those titles entices a different demographic to the rival broadcaster. Thankfully, by understanding the format, game, and audience, The Fortune Hotel manages to deliver in tying all of them together for a recognisably enthralling show, handling all the other show’s pitfalls to present a complete package. For instance, where criticisms have arisen about the challenges in The Traitors feeling unsubstantial for the broader premise, The Fortune Hotel offers contestants the chance to better position themselves in swapping cases to protect their future in the show. The challenges are an added extra to the game, not an afterthought.
While Mangan is seldom present, instead opting for a Love Island approach by only appearing to deliver bad news or in delivering the brief for the challenges, the show instead relies on its staged cameras in the hotel rooms or during discussions to ensure no glance or snide comment slips unnoticed, which aids the show’s socially deceptive presentation. The only technical issue here is that it would have been smoother in the latter half of the first episode if the lavalier (lapel) microphones were white rather than black to fit in with the lighter, loose-fitting clothing, as the black, unfortunately, sticks out.
Though technical pedantry aside, audiences are emphatically encouraged to bond with some of its cast more than others, and its whole casting team illustrates an acute understanding of dynamics and what or who makes for great entertainment.
With a sophisticated but considered edit, the episode’s runtime breezes past, nailing its tone and delivery. We completely understand how these players feel and think, and cutting between the glances and sarcastic retorts results in applaudable entertainment. It’s always a good sign when the cliff-hangers feel earnest, rather than a forced ploy to entice us back.
But let’s not pretend that format shows are easy to get right. So many have come and gone, and whilst The Fortune Hotel feels like a strategic risk from ITV, its ability to create sweaty palm moments of tension or farcical comedic deliveries reflects its strength and the talented crew behind its development.
Suppose The Fortune Hotel is as strong in its coming episodes and can build word-of-mouth recommendations as The Traitors, then that case, there is no doubt that it’ll cement itself as an unshakeable contender to the spring-summer programme, plugging the gap between Winkleman’s Traitors and Maya Jama’s Love Island.
The Fortune Hotel airs every day Monday-Thursday on ITV1 and ITVX at 21.00.
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