The launch of the latest series of BBC's hit show The Traitors on Thursday night left fans buzzing with a major new twist, and many believe they have already identified the mysterious fourth player pulling the strings.
The 'Genius' Twist That Changes Everything
Host Claudia Winkleman revealed a format shake-up that promises to redefine the game. Alongside the three chosen Traitors—Hugo, Rachel, and Stephen—she selected a secret fourth Traitor. This player, clad in a new red cloak, is the only person in the castle who knows the identities of all other Traitors, a secret kept even from the viewing audience.
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. We thought it would be interesting if you didn't know who one of the Traitors was.'
Why All Eyes Are on Sam
While the identities of Hugo, Rachel, and Stephen were revealed, the secret Traitor's name remains a mystery. However, after the first episode, fans on social media platform X are overwhelmingly pointing the finger at contestant Sam.
The suspicion arose from a comment Sam made after the initial challenge. He expressed relief at not being up for murder, stating he wanted to stay 'under the radar.' This raised immediate red flags for eagle-eyed viewers.
Reactions flooded in, with one fan writing: 'Why would Sam be worried about a 'radar' #TheTraitors.' Another stated definitively: 'The secret traitor is Sam. so many clues have been given #TheTraitors.' The theory gained rapid traction, with numerous posts echoing the same conviction.
Power Dynamics and the First Murder Shortlist
The new mechanics give the secret Traitor significant power. Each night, they will provide the three known Traitors with a murder shortlist, and the group can only eliminate someone from that list. This ensures the secret player's safety and gives them control over the game's direction.
In the first turret meeting, the secret Traitor's shortlist contained three names: James, Netty, and Maz, confirming they are not the hidden player. Claudia informed the stunned trio of Traitors about the twist, with Stephen exclaiming, 'This is twisted,' to which Winkleman smirked, 'Just the way I like it.'
Other fan theories suggest one of the known Traitors could be pulling a double bluff, but the Sam theory remains dominant. The twist was met with widespread praise online, with viewers calling it 'riveting' and a 'genius move' that allows the audience to play along.
The series also features other intriguing dynamics, including a mother-daughter duo, Judy and Roxy, and an unexpected reunion between contestants Netty and Ross. With a prize pot of up to £120,000 at stake, the game has been made even more complex and unpredictable by this clandestine fourth Traitor.
