Oh my god, where do we even start? The Traitors UK is back for its fourth season, kicking off on New Year’s Day 2026, and episode 1 did not disappoint. Claudia Winkleman returned in all her fringe-and-cloak glory, welcoming 22 new contestants to the Scottish castle for another round of lies, paranoia, and “murder.” But this time, the game got a massive shake-up that has everyone (including the Traitors themselves) reeling. Let’s break it down: the Secret Traitor twist, the mother-daughter duo, and that nail-biting first murder shortlist.
The Big New Twist: The Secret Traitor
The headline-grabber is the introduction of a fourth Traitor – but with a savage difference. Claudia tapped three “regular” Traitors as usual:
- Hugo (the dramatic barrister),
- Rachel (the sweet-but-deadly head of communications from Northern Ireland),
- Stephen (the cyber-security consultant who immediately clocked threats).
But then… boom. She revealed there’s a Secret Traitor wearing a red cloak (iconic visuals of a shadowy figure lurking), whose identity is hidden from everyone – the other Traitors, the Faithful, the audience at home, and even us viewers. No one knows who it is!
This Secret Traitor works solo and has serious power: every night, they hand the regular Traitors a shortlist of three players who are eligible for murder. The Traitors must pick one from that list – no free choice. It strips control from the main Traitors and adds layers of mystery and frustration (Hugo was fuming about it in the turret). Fans are already obsessed, handwriting-analyzing the shortlist notes and theorizing wildly. This twist changes everything – it’s like the producers said, “You thought you knew the game? Think again.”
The Mother-Daughter Duo: Judy & Roxy’s Hidden Bombshell
Adding to the pre-existing drama, we have a secret family connection! Contestants Judy and Roxy are mother and daughter – Judy adopted Roxy when she was four. The other players have no idea (yet), and it’s deliberate casting for maximum chaos. Roxy spilled the tea in confessionals, gushing about how lovely Judy is while defending her from early suspicion. It’s giving serious Diane-and-Ross vibes from season 2, but with the added layer of them pretending to be strangers. How long until someone clocks it? The emotional stakes are already sky-high – imagine if one gets targeted? 😱
(There was also an unplanned connection: Netty and Ross recognized each other as old acquaintances, which immediately raised eyebrows.)
The First Mission & That Cliffhanger Murder Shortlist
The episode’s mission was peak Traitors camp: teams in boats on a loch, retrieving floating coffins (yes, actual coffins) and towing them to graves on shore. Each successful one added £1,000 to the prize pot, but with a twist – players with coffins in their graves were eligible for murder, while empty graves meant safety. Classic psychological warfare.
No murder happened in ep 1 (that’s revealed in ep 2), but the Secret Traitor dropped their first shortlist: James, Netty, and Maz. The regular Traitors huddled in the turret, debating who to pick, and the episode ended on a massive cliffhanger with the decision hanging. (Early spoilers from later eps confirm the first actual murder was Netty – heartbreaking, as she was a lovely nursery teacher.)
Overall Vibes & Early Standouts
This premiere hooked us immediately – the cast feels fresh and diverse (ex-detective, crime novelist, etc.), the production is as atmospheric as ever, and the twists keep it unpredictable. Fans on Reddit and X are buzzing about potential Secret Traitor suspects (Sam? Roxy? Someone under-the-radar?), and the family secrets are primed to explode.
If you’re not watching yet, catch up on BBC iPlayer – episode 1 sets up a season that could be the most chaotic yet. Who do you think the Secret Traitor is? And how long before the mother-daughter reveal blows up the game? Spill the tea! ðŸ¤ðŸ”¥
