The nail-biting return of BBC's The Traitors has sparked a frenzy of online detective work, with fans convinced they have already solved two of the show's biggest early mysteries. The fourth series launched on New Year's Day, with host Claudia Winkleman welcoming 22 new contestants to the Scottish castle for a game of deception and betrayal.
Who Will Be The First Murder Victim?
The opening episode concluded with a tense cliffhanger, as three Faithfuls – James, Netty, and Maz – were placed on the murder shortlist by a mysterious new secret Traitor. While the other Traitors must choose one to eliminate, viewers on forums like Reddit are overwhelmingly predicting that Maz will be the first to be 'murdered'.
Fans have pointed to what they see as clear 'giveaway clues' in the edit. One popular theory suggests that James is being kept safe because his outspoken nature creates chaotic and entertaining narratives for the show. Netty, meanwhile, already has suspicion on her from other players, making her a less obvious first target. This, according to viewers, leaves Maz as the most likely candidate for an early exit.
"Maz is the most likely to get murdered," wrote one fan online, a sentiment echoed by many who noted that James and Netty simply received more focus and screen time in the premiere, signalling their longer-term potential in the game.
The Hunt For The Secret Traitor
This series introduced a major twist that has changed the game's dynamic. While Claudia selected Stephen (32), Rachel (42), and Hugo (51) as the initial Traitors, she revealed a fourth, secret Traitor is also in play. This individual, who wears a red cloak instead of green, is unknown to the Faithfuls, the other Traitors, and even the audience at home.
Each night, this anonymous player provides a three-name shortlist for the others to murder from. Because James, Netty, and Maz were on the first list, they are now ruled out as being the secret Traitor. However, eagle-eyed fans think they have identified the mystery figure.
Suspicion has fallen heavily on contestant Sam, 34. After the first mission, Sam commented that he was relieved not to be up for murder and expressed a desire to stay "under the radar." This seemingly innocuous remark set off alarm bells for viewers on social media platform X.
"Why would Sam be worried about a 'radar'?" questioned one viewer, while another stated definitively, "The secret traitor is Sam. So many clues have been given." Numerous other posts echoed this theory, making Sam the early frontrunner in the public's investigation.
A New Layer of Deception
Speaking about the bold format change, Mike Cotton, Creative Director at Studio Lambert, explained the thinking. "Each series is like its own murder mystery. We never change the core game, but we always work in twists," he said. "We thought it would be interesting if you didn't know who one of the Traitors was."
He revealed that the secret Traitor's reign will continue until the other Traitors can win back their full power, forcing them to navigate a new layer of uncertainty. Host Claudia Winkleman added that selecting the Traitors is a meticulous process done in consultation with producers, aiming for players who truly "need to be a Traitor."
When she unveiled the twist to Stephen, Rachel, and Hugo, a shocked Stephen responded, "This is twisted," to which Claudia smirked and replied, "Just the way I like it." The Traitors continues with its next episode on Friday at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
