Throughout her extensive career, she has covered grave criminal cases, often directly confronting perpetrators and connecting with victims and their families.
Now, Scottish television presenter Isla Traquair is turning the lens inward with her latest documentary, which explores the emotional scars left by narcissists, drawing from her personal experiences.
In “Narcissist’s Playbook, Empathy Not Included,” Traquair, 46, will not only share her own journey but also highlight the narratives of survivors and those who have caused harm.
She hinted at what’s to come in the documentary, saying, “Some stories are complex and difficult to tell. Truths have been buried under layers of shame and blame, leaving many too afraid and embarrassed to speak out.”
Reflecting on this project, Traquair noted, “This investigation has been one of the most challenging and lengthy of my 30-year journalism career, forcing me to confront some of my own past traumas.”
The documentary aims to unveil the “hidden tactics of psychological abuse” employed by narcissists, featuring insights from experts, compelling stories from survivors, and startling admissions from those who recognize their own destructive behaviors.
Among those to feature in it is US actress Evan Rachel Wood, who famously accused singer Marilyn Manson of abusing her during their three-year relationship in the late noughties.
In a trailer for the documentary, Wood says: ‘It’s the psychological abuse that, to this day, is so hard to undo.’
The promotional material also contains a scene in which a tense Traquair appears to brace herself while tracking down an as-yet unknown man.
Crime reporter Isla Traquair explores the impact of narcissists in the new documentary
A trailer for the upcoming film captures a tense moment as Ms Traquair tracks down a subject. Picture – copyright narcissistsplaybook.com
Actress Evan Rachel Wood, who accused Marilyn Manson of abuse, discusses her experience in the film. Picture – copyright narcissistsplaybook.com
In the video, she is seen alerting her crew to the man’s location nearby.
She says: ‘He’s over there. He’s behind us. Yeah, he’s over there, that’s him.’
The documentary is said to reveal ‘how manipulation infiltrates our most intimate relationships, workplaces, and global power structures’.
The director is US cinematographer Mark Vicente – known for his crucial role as a whistle-blower who exposed a sadistic cult leader and provided witness testimony that saw him jailed for life.
Another moment captured in the trailer sees Traquair ask an interviewee: ‘How dangerous do you think this man is?’
Later she is seen, solemn faced, interviewing an alleged culprit, asking: ‘Do you feel bad for what you’ve done to these women?’
Known for her work on crime documentaries, the Scots journalist has come face to face with killers and any number of violent individuals during her 30-year career.
For example, as a young reporter working in her native Aberdeen she confronted killer biologist Dr Christopher ‘Kit’ Harrisson prior to his conviction for murdering his wife Dr Brenda Page.
Dr Page was just 32 when – in 1978 – she was found on her bed, in a pool of blood, bludgeoned to death, her hands and wrists a mass of defence injuries from Harrisson’s attack.
Like the survivors in her new documentary, Ms Traquair has also discussed her own personal experience as a victim of crime.
The former ITV and Channel 5 news anchor was subjected to a ‘frightening’ stalking ordeal by gardener Jonathan Barrett.
Jonathan Barrett subjected Ms Traquair to a stalking campaign that left her a ‘shell of herself’
Incidents included Barrett standing outside and staring directly into the bedroom window of her cottage on the edge of the Cotswolds.
He had denied stalking Miss Traquair, but was found guilty at Salisbury Magistrates Court in July 2022.
Speaking to the Daily Mail after he was found guilty, Ms Traquair had said: ‘I was a shell of myself. I lost weight. My hair started to fall out. This man’s behaviour affected every single aspect of my life.’
Sharing news of the upcoming documentary and accompanying podcast on social media, Traquair said she had been sworn to secrecy for two years while she worked on the project with the film-makers behind it.
She added: ‘This film could not be more timely with all the evil we’re seeing unfolding in the world.’
Discussing the testimony given by victims of narcissistic abusers, Traquair adds: ‘You’re going to hear some really horrific tales but also stories of survival and recovery.’
She also said: ‘It’s the most comprehensive investigation into narcissistic personality disorder and couldn’t be more timely.’
One person, responding online, thanks Traquair for her work, stating that the disorder is ‘one of the most harmful diseases of our time’.
In response, Traquair wrote: ‘Agreed! And so many people don’t understand what’s happened to them.’
