Sharp-eyed viewers of the BBC's hit reality show The Traitors are convinced they have identified the mysterious red-cloaked Secret Traitor just one episode into the new series. The discovery hinges on a potential blunder spotted during a crucial moment in Thursday night's premiere.
The New Twist That Has Everyone Talking
The show's return on 2nd January 2026 introduced a major new gameplay element. After host Claudia Winkleman selected the three regular Traitors – Rachel, Hugo, and Stephen – she revealed a fourth, secret player. This individual, clad in a distinctive red cloak, operates independently with the goal of sowing extra chaos within the game.
Their first mission was to secretly nominate three contestants for murder by the main Traitor trio. The targets for the subsequent episode were revealed as James, Netty, and Maz. However, it was the handwritten list of these names that sent the show's dedicated fanbase into a detective frenzy.
A Spelling Mistake Sparks Major Theories
Armchair sleuths quickly noticed that on the Secret Traitor's note, the name of contestant Netty, a teacher from London, was misspelt as "Nettie". This seemingly small error has become the focal point for unmasking the red cloak's identity.
Fans took to social media platform X to dissect the clue. One viewer pointedly wrote, "Let’s all see who spells Netty’s name wrong at the roundtable #TheTraitors". Another theorised, "The handwriting and the spelling of 'Nettie' could pinpoint exactly who the secret Traitor is", vowing to watch for anyone who makes the same mistake if Netty survives the murder vote and faces banishment.
Is It A Clever Red Herring?
Not all viewers are convinced the clue is genuine. Some speculate it could be a deliberate misdirection. One fan suggested that handwriting is the Secret Traitor's only tool to deflect suspicion, implying the error might be intentional. Others questioned whether the note was physically written by the player or by a production assistant, potentially muddying the waters.
Beyond the spelling clue, other early suspects have emerged. Fiona, a Local Government Officer from Swansea, drew attention with her highly expressive reactions. Meanwhile, retired police detective Amanda raised eyebrows with a comment made to Traitor Stephen, with one fan noting she told him, “I don’t have the weight of being a traitor on my shoulders!” – a statement some interpret as knowing he does.
The new twist, while thrilling many of the show's fans, has also introduced a new level of frustration. As one viewer joked, after years of criticising the Faithfuls' decisions, the audience is now getting "a taste of our own medicine" in trying to solve the puzzle from home. The hunt for the red cloak is well and truly on.
