The latest series of the BBC's smash-hit reality game, The Traitors, returned with a promise of psychological warfare, but initially seemed to have lost its bite. With no immediate banishments or murders, and no players eliminated at the castle door, host Claudia Winkleman's gothic camp appeared, for a moment, defanged. Yet, as any faithful fan knows, appearances on this show are always deceptive.
A Devious New Twist Unfolds
The series, which has become a national obsession since its 2022 launch, revealed its first major twist early on. After the familiar ritual of blindfolding the 22 contestants at the round table, Winkleman selected three traitors in the usual manner. However, in a groundbreaking move for the format, a fourth, secret traitor was also chosen, with their identity completely hidden from the audience.
This marks a significant departure. In every previous series, viewers have been privy to the traitors' identities and their scheming in the turret. Now, for the first time, the audience is thrust into the game alongside the contestants, forced to scrutinise every glance and gesture for clues. The moment was sealed when Winkleman, facing the camera directly, held out a distinctive red cloak – a tantalising tease that left everyone guessing.
Meet The Players: From 'Psychopathic Teddybears' to Suspects
This year's cohort of ordinary contestants proved to be a stark contrast to the previous celebrity edition, with many openly embracing a cut-throat mentality. Among the three known traitors are Rachel, 42, from Northern Ireland, who declared "there's nothing I won't do to win," and Hugo, a 52-year-old barrister who labelled himself a "psychopathic teddybear."
The group isn't entirely without familiar faces. Harriet Tyce, 52, is a successful crime novelist, while two contestants – nursery teacher Netty, 42, and personal trainer Ross, 37 – discovered they already knew each other. In a touching reveal at the episode's close, recruiter Roxy, 32, and child liaison officer Judy shared that they are mother and adopted daughter, a relationship that could become a strategic vulnerability.
Early Gameplay and Suspicious Minds
The first challenge, a macabre task involving retrieving coffins from a lake to fill graves marked with players' names, set the tone. All eyes quickly turned to Fiona, a 62-year-old local government officer from Swansea. After another player declared everyone in her car a 'faithful', the camera cut to Fiona licking her lips with apparent glee. She then proceeded to act confused by the simple rules, sparking immediate suspicion among viewers.
This early focus on irrational suspicion is a classic Traitors trademark. As seen before, a pack mentality can take hold among the Faithful, leading to unfounded accusations. As account manager Sam, 34, boasted about being a "fantastic liar" willing to throw anyone under the bus, it became clear that trust is the first casualty in this game. With a secret traitor already embedded and the known assassins sharpening their verbal daggers, the stage is set for a deeply treacherous and entertaining series.
