BBC’s The Traitors adds anonymous fourth traitor in format overhaul

The Traitors returned to screens with a significant format change: an anonymous fourth traitor whose identity is hidden from both viewers and the other traitors.

The new secret traitor, introduced in the opening episode of the regular series, is distinguished visually by a red cloak rather than the green worn by the other traitors. Host Claudia Winkleman selected the contestant in the customary way at the round table, tapping the chosen player on the shoulder, but the programme did not reveal who it was.

Producers have given the secret traitor particular powers that alter the established dynamic of the show. Each night, that contestant compiles a shortlist of three players whom the other traitors are permitted to murder. The secret traitor will not nominate themselves.

Uniquely this year, the secret traitor is the only contestant with complete knowledge of every other player's true status. They alone know the identities of the other three traitors. The identity will remain concealed until the other traitors “earn their power back,” Winkleman said, though the programme has not clarified how or when that will occur.

The introduction of an unseen fourth traitor marks the most significant change to the format since the series began in 2022. Production company Studio Lambert framed the tweak as a response to audience conversation: viewers had previously suggested it would be interesting if one traitor were unknown to the audience.

“In series one, people said, ‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if the viewers didn’t know who the traitors are?’” said Mike Cotton, creative director at Studio Lambert. He added the team decided it would be compelling if one traitor remained unknown to viewers while keeping the other traitors in the dark as well.

The adjustment reduces the unilateral control the traitors have traditionally enjoyed. “What’s really interesting is the traitors are used to having all of the power, and for once they don’t,” Cotton said. Winkleman suggested the secret traitor will have an enjoyable experience, saying the role “has some fun.”

Unsurprisingly, the reveal unsettled the other traitors. Hugo, one of the three visible traitors appointed earlier in the episode, expressed his annoyance on-screen: “I do not require middle management.” He said he was “so annoyed” by the twist, adding: “The whole point of being a traitor is having perfect information.”

Former Celebrity Traitors contestant Lucy Beaumont, speaking on the show’s companion podcast Uncloaked, welcomed the change. She said the twist addresses a common viewer complaint about faithful players failing to identify traitors.

The show’s fourth regular series launched following the high-rating celebrity edition, which attracted more than 15 million viewers. This season’s civilian cast comprises 22 contestants. Among them are a former police detective and a crime novelist. Two contestants, Roxy and Judy, are mother and daughter; Judy adopted Roxy when she was four. Their relationship is known to producers but not to the other players.

Producers also discovered an unplanned prior acquaintance between two contestants, Ross and Netty. The pair follow each other on social media and recognised one another at the castle despite the link not being known to production in advance.

Winkleman conducted her customary fireside chats to select traitors among contestants who sometimes expressed eagerness for the role. She chose Rachel, Hugo and Stephen as visible traitors, plus the undisclosed fourth traitor.

The opening mission illustrated a scale-up in the physical tasks. Contestants travelled by boat to retrieve dozens of floating coffins from a nearby loch. Each coffin was worth £1,000 for the prize fund, but placing a coffin in a named grave automatically shortlisted that player for murder. The three teams chose players from opposing teams to avoid uncomfortable conversations, and a total of 10 players were placed on the murder shortlist.

All 22 contestants completed the train journey to the castle; there was no pre-castle twist this year.

Producers have previously trialled format changes that did not sit well with viewers. Cotton acknowledged past missteps, pointing to an earlier “Seer” twist that proved unpopular and removed suspense from the finale. He framed the new anonymous-traitor idea as a measured experiment intended to shift the conversation among viewers without undermining the core mechanics of the game.

Early reactions suggest the twist will generate discussion. Viewers and commentators are likely to test their deductive skills as the series progresses, looking to see whether the unseen traitor’s intervention alters outcomes and whether the other traitors can adapt to constrained choice.

The Traitors continues on Friday, 2 January at 20:00 GMT on BBC One and iPlayer.

• Secret traitor wears a red cloak and is unknown to viewers and other traitors.
• Each night the secret traitor shortlists three players for the visible traitors to murder.
• The secret traitor knows every player’s true status, including the other traitors.
• The season features 22 contestants, including a former detective, a crime writer, and a mother-daughter pair whose link is hidden from fellow players.
• The first mission involved retrieving floating coffins worth £1,000 each; placing coffins in named graves created a 10-player murder shortlist.

Key Topics

The Traitors, Anonymous Fourth Traitor, Red Cloak Reveal, Claudia Winkleman, Studio Lambert, Unseen Traitor Twist, Murder Shortlist Mechanic, Secret Traitor Knows All, Floating Coffins Challenge, 22 Contestants, Mother-daughter Pair, Former Police Detective Contestant, Crime Novelist Contestant, Uncloaked Podcast, Bbc One And Iplayer