The dramatic conclusion to the latest series of The Traitors is now within reach, with just six contestants remaining from the original twenty-two who entered the imposing Ardross Castle on New Year's Day. Through a brutal process of nightly murders and tense roundtable banishments, the field has been dramatically narrowed, setting the stage for a gripping finale on Friday, 23 January 2026.
The Final Countdown: Strategy and Suspicion
This season of the hit BBC reality show has proven more unpredictable than ever, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. As the final episode looms, the remaining players have one last opportunity to bolster the prize fund, while the relentless hunt for the hidden Traitors intensifies. The stakes could not be higher, with the cunning Traitors plotting to steal the entire cash prize for themselves.
Meet the Final Six Contenders
Rachel: The Master Puppeteer
Undeniably the strategic force of the series, 42-year-old Rachel has executed a masterful game from the very beginning. The FBI-trained mother of three has orchestrated operations from the turret with chilling calmness, watching as her fellow original Traitor, Hugo, spectacularly imploded. She has adeptly managed Stephen as he faced mounting suspicion. Rachel has only rarely come under fire herself, typically dispatching her accusers with relative ease. Faithful Fiona learned the hard way about the trust others place in Rachel when her attempt to oust her failed miserably. Harriet launched an even more vigorous attack, only to be banished herself for her efforts—a theory the remaining Faithfuls have largely disregarded. However, Faraaz's recent suspicions have finally put a target on Rachel's back, leaving her as one of two contestants facing potential banishment after a vote reached deadlock.
Stephen: The Survivor Under Fire
Few would have predicted 32-year-old Stephen's journey to the final week. He has been under intense scrutiny since the early stages, with Faithful Jessie correctly identifying him as a Traitor. While Fiona's banishment temporarily alleviated the pressure, Jessie soon resumed her campaign against him. Stephen took a monumental gamble by orchestrating Jessie's murder last week, a move that appears to have paid off for now. The Scottish contestant is now questioning his alliance with Rachel, pondering whether betraying her might be the key to securing ultimate victory.
Jade: The Perpetual Suspect
Jade, a 25-year-old PhD student and the resident queen of knitwear, has clung to her place in the castle despite facing near-constant suspicion. Former police officer Amanda never relented in her case against Jade, keeping the Faithfuls' doubts alive. Jade has grown visibly weary of continually defending herself. During last week's emotional dinner party, she was hailed as brave after sharing her heartbreaking personal story. She revealed, My parents got divorced when I was seven. My mum moved back to Hong Kong. She had a kid—in 2018, they were both found dead. I've had to really rebuild myself from that point onwards.
James: The Divisive Gardener
Gardener James, 38, has reached the final week by the narrowest of margins, yet many Faithfuls remain deeply distrustful of him—a vulnerability that Traitors Rachel and Stephen are keen to exploit. His somewhat erratic decision-making and accusations have sown confusion among the group. Fellow contestants were left furious when he secretly stole a shield during a challenge, with Roxy labelling his behaviour as deceitful. His decision to attack Faithful Matthew after obtaining the ceremonial dagger has further intensified the spotlight on him. James is the other contestant, alongside Rachel, facing potential banishment after the deadlocked vote.
Jack: The Silent Survivor
Twenty-nine-year-old personal trainer Jack has succeeded thus far by expertly flying under the radar. While he hasn't made a significant strategic mark on the game, his quiet demeanour and reluctance to advance theories have allowed him to avoid both murder and banishment. Viewers gained deeper insight into his life at the recent dinner party, where he revealed plans to propose to his girlfriend. He has since confirmed on Instagram that she accepted.
Faraaz: The Young Challenger
At just 22, the amiable Faraaz is one of the youngest contestants this series, a fact Rachel previously joked about when she quipped he could be a Traitor killing the oldies. The internal auditor has not featured prominently in screen time, but the dinner party revealed his heartfelt intention: if he wins, he would take his family to perform the hajj, the holy Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. In a stunning recent episode, he shocked Rachel by voicing his suspicions that she is a Traitor who engineered the downfalls of players like Ross, Fiona, and Harriet.
The Final Showdown Approaches
With allegiances fraying and suspicions at an all-time high, the stage is set for a breathtaking conclusion to this series of The Traitors. The remaining six must navigate one final web of deception and trust as they vie for the life-changing prize fund. Who will emerge victorious, and who will be betrayed at the last moment? The answers await in the highly anticipated finale.
