Fans of reality television are once again glued to their screens as The Traitors returns for its fourth season, premiering on BBC One on New Year’s Day 2026. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the show has upped the ante this year, introducing a new twist that’s left both contestants and viewers on edge: in addition to the usual trio of Traitors, a Secret Traitor has joined the mix, their identity concealed from everyone but themselves. The result? A game of trust, strategy, and suspense that’s more unpredictable than ever.
Twenty-two contestants arrived at a grand Scottish castle, all vying for a life-changing prize of up to £120,000. As always, the group is split into two camps: the Faithfuls, whose goal is to keep the prize pot intact, and the Traitors, who are plotting to steal it for themselves. But this season, the presence of a Secret Traitor—unknown even to the other Traitors—has added a fresh layer of intrigue. According to BBC, the Secret Traitor is uniquely empowered, privy to the true roles of every player and responsible for providing a shortlist of potential murder victims for the original Traitors to choose from. This shadowy figure’s identity is expected to be revealed soon, following the dramatic banishment of one of the show’s initial Traitors, Hugo.
Among the new contestants is Maz, a 59-year-old civil servant from Preston. Maz is the second consecutive civil servant to appear on the show, following last season’s standout, Alexander Dragonetti. In an interview with The Guardian, Maz explained his motivation for applying: “I love the whole essence of The Traitors, from the missions, to the conversations, to the relationships you make and the game itself.” He promised to bring “some humour, some chilled out moments, some interesting thoughts, and I think I will be able to add to the jigsaw of the game.” Maz, who plays football twice a week and considers himself “quite fit for my age,” believes his energy and team spirit will be assets in the competition. He’s also made it clear that if he wins, the prize money will go to support his five children and grandchildren.
The first three episodes have already delivered plenty of drama. In the opening installment, Claudia Winkleman selected Rachel (a head of communications), Hugo (a barrister), and Stephen (a cyber security consultant) as the initial Traitors, with the Secret Traitor chosen in secret. Maz, who had hoped to be picked as a Traitor, found himself instead on the shortlist for the first murder. During deliberations, Hugo described Maz as “a bit of a cheeky chappie but I think he’ll talk himself into trouble,” and warned that “he might get a gathering behind him – he’s a smooth talker.” Despite this, Maz survived, with nursery school teacher Netty becoming the first victim. Maz faced the threat again in the second episode but was spared once more, as retiree Ben was chosen for elimination. By the end of episode three, Maz remained unscathed—not only surviving two murder shortlists but also avoiding any votes in the two roundtables where contestants banish those they suspect of being Traitors.
The banishment of Hugo in the second roundtable marked a milestone for the UK version of The Traitors: never before has a Traitor been exposed and ousted so early. Maz was among those who helped orchestrate Hugo’s downfall, which unfolded after Hugo made suspicious comments about murdered Faithful Ben at breakfast. Judy, a child liaison officer, was the first contestant banished by her peers, but it was Hugo’s exit that truly shook up the game. With Rachel and Stephen remaining as Traitors, and the Secret Traitor still in play, the stage is set for even more twists as episodes four through six air this week.
While the contestants grapple with deception and alliances inside the castle, viewers at home are busy playing sleuth themselves. A Reddit user, claiming expertise in TV production, believes they’ve cracked the code behind the Secret Traitor’s identity by analyzing the seating arrangement at the iconic Round Table. As reported by Devon Live, the theory holds that Traitors are deliberately seated in separate segments of the table “for the best cinematography and reactionary experience.” The poster explained, “In all series so far, they have done the exact same thing without failure. Season 3 was slightly different but the rule still applies, just that the Traitors were slightly closer but NOT in the SAME segment of the pie.”
This meticulous seat planning, the user argues, allows for optimal filming and ensures Traitors can make subtle eye contact without drawing attention. The theory even accounts for exceptions, such as the Secret Traitor, who may not need to maintain visual contact with the others. Armed with this knowledge, the Redditor narrowed their suspects to Harriet and Jade, with Harriet “in pole position” despite sitting beside Traitor Rachel. Their reasoning? As the Secret Traitor operates covertly, the usual rules might not apply. Supporting their case, the user noted that Harriet played a pivotal role in exposing and banishing Hugo. “Jade is my other candidate for Secret Traitor and she is quite literally the fourth and only other potential Traitor in the bottom LEFT segment of the table. So, if Production are to reveal her identity to the audience soon, she is in the perfect filming position to do so.”
As the speculation swirls, fans are reminded that The Traitors is as much a game for viewers as it is for contestants. The show’s producers have meticulously crafted each twist, from seating arrangements to secret roles, to keep everyone guessing. “Remember, the show is contrived and everything is meticulously selected and thought over to ensure that the show runs as smoothly and entertaining as possible,” the Reddit user concluded, highlighting the careful balance between gameplay and entertainment.
Meanwhile, the legacy of past contestants continues to resonate. Alexander Dragonetti, who reached the final in season three, has seen his life transformed since leaving the castle. Once a teacher, Alexander now works with the Foreign Office and has become a familiar face on social media, sharing insights about diplomacy. He’s even engaged in public discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer about international relations and his encounters with former President Donald Trump. Alexander has also become a sought-after public speaker, commanding fees between £5,000 and £10,000, and has ventured into presenting, hosting a Classic FM series and preparing for a new five-part show, Trust Me, It’s A Classic, set to air by March 2025.
Perhaps most touchingly, Alexander’s openness about his younger brother’s developmental disabilities during his time on The Traitors inspired viewers to donate £60,000 to Mencap, a charity supporting individuals with learning disabilities. Alexander now serves as an Ambassador for the organization, using his platform to champion inclusion and awareness. As for his personal life, he remains single—a fact playfully highlighted by Claudia Winkleman during the show, and confirmed by Alexander himself last year.
With new episodes airing Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8 PM on BBC One and streaming on iPlayer, the fourth season of The Traitors promises to keep viewers guessing. Whether you’re rooting for the Faithfuls or plotting along with the Traitors, one thing’s certain: in this castle, trust is the rarest currency of all.
