The new year has kicked off with a bang for fans of reality television, as The Traitors returns to BBC One for its highly anticipated fourth season. Following the star-studded celebrity edition that captivated audiences in late 2025, the latest series promises even more twists, betrayals, and suspense—raising the stakes for both contestants and viewers alike.
This season, 22 contestants—ranging from the ordinary to the not-so-ordinary—have descended upon the now-iconic castle, each vying for their share of a £120,000 prize. But, as anyone familiar with The Traitors knows, winning is never straightforward. The format this year is more brutal than ever, with a game-changing twist that has even seasoned players and devoted fans on edge.
From the very first episode, which aired on New Year’s Day 2026, host Claudia Winkleman wasted no time in revealing the identities of three Traitors: Rachel, a 42-year-old Head of Communications from County Down; Stephen, a 32-year-old Cyber Security Consultant from London; and Hugo, a 51-year-old barrister also based in London. However, in a move that upended expectations, Claudia also introduced a secret fourth Traitor—an individual whose identity is hidden not only from the Faithfuls but also from the other Traitors and, crucially, the viewers themselves.
According to The Sun, this new twist has sent shockwaves through the castle. Rachel, Stephen, and Hugo immediately set out to identify and banish the Secret Traitor, but as the series has already shown, that’s easier said than done. In fact, the presence of a hidden puppetmaster has added a fresh layer of paranoia and intrigue to an already tense game, with contestants second-guessing every alliance and every glance across the Round Table.
As of the third episode, which aired on Saturday, January 3, 2026, four players have already been eliminated. Netty and Judy, both Faithfuls, were the first to go—Netty was murdered in Episode 2 and Judy was banished in the same episode. Ben, another Faithful, met his end in Episode 3, and in a shocking twist, Hugo—the barrister Traitor—was also banished, making him the quickest Traitor to ever be exposed in a UK series of the show. His ousting followed a campaign led by Harriet, a crime writer and fellow barrister, whose keen observations and persuasive arguments swayed the majority at the Round Table.
Reflecting on his abrupt exit, Hugo told Wales Online, “I did have a plan, but I didn’t really stick to it, and I kept forgetting to pretend to be a Faithful which is ultimately what you must do as a Traitor. I forgot that I had a shield, because nobody put a coffin in my grave, and I just forgot to act like a Faithful would.” Despite being betrayed by his fellow Traitor, Hugo seemed to hold no grudge, adding, “I do hope the Traitors go on to win, notwithstanding that Stephen stabbed me in the front! I think it’s about time the Traitors bounce back. So yes, they’ve got my unqualified support.”
The drama hasn’t let up. Saturday’s episode featured a high-stakes secret mission for Rachel and Stephen, who were tasked with marking nine players for murder by leaving bloodied fingerprints on the castle’s family tree illustration—a move that wouldn’t look out of place in a Bond film. The tension was palpable, with Rachel’s composure under pressure drawing admiration from fans and commentators alike. But as The Tab pointed out, if Reece—one of the more observant contestants—puts two and two together, he might recall seeing the duo lurking suspiciously by the frames. That could spell trouble for the remaining Traitors.
The show’s schedule has seen a few adjustments since its launch, but BBC has now locked in a consistent three-night-a-week pattern. Starting Wednesday, January 7, 2026, new episodes air at 8pm on BBC One every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with the grand finale set for Friday, January 23, 2026. For those who can’t catch the live broadcast, episodes are also available to stream on BBC iPlayer as soon as they begin airing. The finale is expected to run longer than usual—around 70 minutes—to ensure maximum drama as the game reaches its climax, according to Glamour.
With the Secret Traitor’s identity still under wraps, speculation among fans and bookmakers is at fever pitch. The odds are constantly shifting, with some betting on Amanda as the master manipulator, while others suspect Harriet, whose background as a novelist and barrister makes her an intriguing candidate. Meanwhile, contestants like Fiona and Jessie are considered strong contenders to go far, thanks to their low-key strategies and ability to avoid suspicion. Rachel, despite being a known Traitor, is also tipped as a potential survivor, with her gameplay earning respect from both viewers and analysts.
For those seeking to catch up or dive deeper into the intrigue, The Traitors podcast—hosted by Ed Gamble—is a must-listen. Reflecting on the legacy of the celebrity edition, Gamble told The Sun, “I think now, for the next game, comedians are in deep trouble because all of the talk this time was ‘Alan’s done amazingly because he’s being funny’... As soon as you’re laughing you’re forgetting that you’re accusing someone and all the suspicion goes away.”
Claudia Winkleman, returning as host, has emphasized just how intense this season is compared to the celebrity run. As she described to The Sun, “It gets really, really brutal. The celebrity one, they were adorable, but they were at the round table like, ‘No, no, after you’. That’s not how this one goes. These players play it differently. It gets hardcore, it gets very heated. We get some very juicy round tables. Did they keep the bit in when I scream? I get ugly. At one point, all the hairs were standing on end because you think, ‘Yeah, I’ve seen this, it’s going to go down this route’. And all I can say is that it absolutely doesn’t.”
With 12 episodes spread over four weeks, The Traitors is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and riveting seasons yet. As viewers count down the days until the next episode, one thing is certain: trust no one, and expect the unexpected. The castle’s walls have never held so many secrets—or so much potential for betrayal.
As the finale approaches, all eyes remain on the castle, where alliances will be tested, secrets will be revealed, and only the most cunning will survive to claim the prize. For fans old and new, it’s appointment television at its finest.
