Host Claudia Winkleman has unleashed a game-altering twist on the hit BBC reality series The Traitors, introducing a mysterious Secret Traitor who will dramatically shift the balance of power within the Scottish castle.
What is The Secret Traitor Twist?
In a stunning announcement during the latest episode, Claudia Winkleman revealed to viewers and contestants that she had selected a Secret Traitor. The cunning move is designed to give the audience a direct experience of the paranoia faced by the Faithful, as nobody knows the Secret Traitor's identity—not the other Traitors, not the Faithful, and not even those watching at home.
"I’m also going to pick a Secret Traitor and nobody will know who that is - not the Traitors and not even you. It’s naughty isn’t it?" Winkleman told the camera, setting the stage for a season of heightened suspicion.
How The Red Cloak Changes The Game
The key visual clue for this new role is a striking red cloak, a stark departure from the traditional dark green robes worn by the three original Traitors. While the regular Traitors remain unaware of their secret ally's identity, the Secret Traitor knows exactly who they are.
The twist grants the Secret Traitor a significant new power: sole authority to dictate the murder shortlist each night. After the first mission, the Secret Traitor selected three Faithfuls for potential murder, a choice that reportedly did not align with the original Traitors' wishes. This mechanic forces the original Traitors to fight to regain control.
Crucially, the Secret Traitor cannot select themselves or any fellow Traitor for murder. This means every name on their shortlist provides valuable intelligence to the original Traitors, confirming those individuals as genuine Faithfuls.
Unanswered Questions and Fan Theories
The show's producers have remained tight-lipped about several key details, keeping viewers in suspense. It is not yet clear how long the Secret Traitor will remain in play, or what happens if they are voted for banishment at the iconic roundtable.
When a trailer hinting at the red cloak aired on Christmas Day, many fans speculated it might signal the return of a former player. However, the reality is a fresh strategic layer that deliberately undermines the original Traitors' dominance. As the series unfolds, this clandestine figure promises to create chaos, making the battle for the prize fund more unpredictable than ever.
