EEK indeed! The Traitors UK returned with a bang on New Year’s Day 2026, kicking off its fourth series at 8pm on BBC One. After the celebrity spin-off kept us hooked over the holidays, we’re back to the classic format: 22 everyday Brits thrown into a Scottish castle, playing the ultimate game of deception for up to £120,000. Claudia Winkleman is serving looks (and twists) as always, and this season is already delivering drama.
But let’s get to the juicy bit everyone’s whispering about: the Red Cloak. For the first time, the iconic green Traitors’ cloaks have a sinister new rival – a mysterious figure in red, teased in trailers and now fully revealed as the game’s biggest shake-up yet.
What Is the Red Cloak Twist?
In episode 1, Claudia selected three regular Traitors (barrister Hugo, communications head Rachel, and cyber security expert Stephen), but she also secretly tapped a fourth “Secret Traitor”. This player:
- Operates completely alone.
- Wears a red cloak (shown as a hooded, unidentified silhouette to viewers).
- Has massive power: Every night, they provide the regular Traitors with a shortlist of three Faithfuls to choose from for murder. The Traitors can’t pick anyone else!
This inverts the usual dynamic – the Secret Traitor controls who’s at risk, protecting themselves and steering the game from the shadows. Their identity is hidden from everyone: the other Traitors, the Faithfuls, and even us viewers. It’s genius because for once, we’re as clueless as the players, guessing alongside them.
The Fan Theories Exploding Online
Pre-season, when the red cloak first appeared in teasers, fans went wild with predictions. Many nailed it: a “secret Traitor” role unknown to viewers, or even a double agent working against the main Traitors. Others guessed a returning player from past seasons, or wild ones like Claudia herself pulling the strings!
Now, a few episodes in (as of January 4, 2026), theories are evolving fast:
- Hidden mastermind protecting allies: The shortlist pattern will eventually reveal who’s never on it – that’s the Secret Traitor (or their favourites).
- Under-the-radar players as suspects: Fans are eyeing quiet strategists like Jack (chess enthusiast who loves tactics) or those flying low to avoid suspicion.
- Double twist ideas: Some think the Secret Traitor might secretly sabotage the regular ones, or that one of the known Traitors is actually the red-cloaked boss.
- Connection theories: There’s buzz about hidden real-life links between contestants (like barristers knowing each other), making recruitment or protection more suspicious.
The beauty (and frustration!) of this twist is how it flips the script. We usually root knowing everything, but now we’re theorising like Faithfuls at the roundtable. Who do you think is under the red cloak? A superfan playing the long game? Someone too obvious to be obvious?
Grab your cloaks (green or red), settle in for tonight’s episode at 8pm, and let’s discuss in the comments – no spoilers for future eps, though! Who’s your top suspect so far? 😏 #TheTraitorsUK #RedCloakTheory
