The hit BBC reality series The Traitors has returned for its 2026 run with a game-changing twist that promises to upend the entire format. Host Claudia Winkleman revealed the shocking development in the series premiere, which aired on Thursday 1 January 2026.
The Red Cloak Mystery: A Fourth, Secret Traitor
In a dramatic departure from previous series, where three contestants were always selected as Traitors at the outset, this year features a clandestine fourth. This secret Traitor, whose identity remains a mystery even to the three main Traitors, was introduced wearing a distinctive red, hooded cloak.
Remarkably, the audience is also kept in the dark about who this player is. This contestant is operating independently, working against both the Faithful and the main Traitor group to secure their own victory. The secret Traitor is also said to possess significant influence over the game and the three regular Traitors, adding a complex new layer of strategy and deception.
Claudia Winkleman Teases an 'Extraordinary' Series
Series host Claudia Winkleman had hinted at the major switch ahead of the premiere, building considerable anticipation. She described the upcoming series as "truly extraordinary" and promised moments that left her gasping.
"There's something new and what happens in this series is truly extraordinary with moments that made me gasp," Winkleman said. "I can't wait for people to see it. The producers have the greatest minds on Earth."
When to Watch and Who is Playing
The Traitors continues on BBC One, with new episodes airing every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm. The 2026 cohort of contestants boasts an intriguing mix of backgrounds designed to heighten the psychological gameplay, including a psychological thriller novelist, a former police detective, and a trained psychologist.
This bold introduction of a secret fourth Traitor marks the biggest shake-up in the show's history, ensuring that no one—contestants or viewers—can trust the established rules of the game.
