The highly anticipated fourth series of The Traitors UK has finally kicked off, with the cast officially unveiled at midnight on January 1, 2026—just hours before the premiere episode aired on BBC One. Hosted once again by the iconic Claudia Winkleman, this season promises even more mind games, backstabbing, and psychological warfare in the eerie Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
With episodes already rolling out (Episode 1 on New Year’s Day, followed by nightly drops through the weekend), fans are buzzing about the fresh batch of 22 contestants. This year’s lineup is packed with intriguing professions: a retired police detective, a psychologist, a crime writer, a cyber security expert, and more. There’s also hidden drama—a mother-daughter duo (Judy and Roxy) keeping their relationship secret, plus old acquaintances who didn’t know they’d be facing off.
A major new twist? The Secret Traitor in a mysterious red cloak, whose identity is hidden even from the regular Traitors (initially revealed as Stephen, Rachel, and Hugo). This adds an extra layer of paranoia—who’s pulling strings from the shadows?
Here’s the full cast of everyday Brits vying for up to £120,000:
- Adam, 34, Builder from Essex – A competitive ghost hunter eager to win big.
- Amanda, 57, Retired Police Detective from Brighton – Bringing real investigative skills; could be deadly as a Faithful or Traitor.
- Ben, Retiree
- Ellie, 33, Psychologist – Plans to analyze everyone’s motivations and use “psychological techniques” for deception or detection.
- Faraaz, 22, Internal Auditor from Middlesbrough – The youngest player, a superfan since series one.
- Fiona, Local Government Officer
- Harriet, 52, Crime Writer and Former Barrister from London – Thrilled at the idea of being a Traitor for the “purest” gameplay.
- Hugo, Superfan who’s watched every international version – “Obsessed” and ready to play hard.
- Jack, 29, Personal Trainer from Essex
- Jade, 25, PhD Student from the West Midlands
- James, Gardener – Outgoing “Duracell bunny” vibe to throw people off.
- Jessie, Hairstylist
- Judy and Roxy (mother-daughter pair, relationship hidden)
- Matthew, Creative Director
- Maz, Civil Servant
- Netty, Nursery School Teacher
- Rachel, Head of Communications
- Ross, Sales Exec and Personal Trainer
- Sam, Account Manager from North Yorkshire – Ruthlessly competitive with a silly sense of humor.
- Stephen, 32, Cyber Security Consultant – Studied past seasons intensely.
This cast looks stacked with strategic minds—will the detective sniff out lies early? Can the psychologist read the room perfectly? Or will superfans like Hugo dominate with their meta-knowledge?
Ahead of tonight’s episode (January 4, 2026—check BBC One/iPlayer schedules for exact time), the drama is already heating up from the first few nights. If you’re diving in spoiler-free, grab your cloaks and settle in for what Claudia calls “truly extraordinary” moments. Who’s your early favorite to win—or get murdered first? The castle awaits… 🏰🔥
