SMASH-HIT BBC reality show The Traitors is making its triumphant return to our screens for its fourth fantastic series.
Here’s the lowdown on the of the psychological cloak-and-dagger competition.
The Traitors is back on the box to kick off 2026 in treacherous style
In the build-up to its release, the BBC dropped a teaser for the .
In it a shadowy figure wearing the iconic cloak carries a lantern while walking through some woodland in the middle of the night.
A chilling cover of Blondie’s 1979 hit is heard playing as a graphic appears towards the end reading “Coming 2026”.
And in a follow-up trailer that dropped on , a was unveiled.
As the camera pans over a Christmas dinner table, then a Grandfather clock chimes and a candle is snuffed out as a mysterious figure in dressed in red passes a window.
says: “Have yourself a merry little Christmas… I’m joking.”
The Traitor wearing a red cloak sets down a lantern, before turning to the screen and lifting a gloved finger to their lips.
Read on to get to know the competing for the chance to win up to a whopping £120,000.
Who is on The Traitors Series 4?
Adam, 34, builder, Essex
Adam decided to apply after watching the show and thinking ‘I can do that’Credit: BBC
Adam said he is “a very outspoken, dramatic sort of person”.
He added: “I speak my mind completely like there’s no filter there. Obviously, I do think of people’s feelings before I speak!”
Adam is going in with a game plan and explained that watching earlier series made him think he could “do that standing on my head”.
A self-described “enthusiastic ghost hunter,” he hopes to explore whether the castle is haunted.
Amanda, 57, retired police detective, Brighton
Amanda wants to be a TraitorCredit: BBC
Amanda believes being a Faithful would feel natural thanks to her years as a police officer because her job “was to help people, being a faithful, good person, so it would feel natural to be a Faithful in the game”.
But she thinks “would be amazing”, although she admitted she would be “nervous”.
I’m definitely prepared to throw anyone under the bus to maintain my facade
Ellie
She added: “There is an advantage to being a Traitor at the beginning because you know a few more sides to the puzzle.”
Ben, 66, retired, Hampshire
Ben says he can spot a liar due to his military trainingCredit: BBC
Ben has no set strategy going in, saying: “I don’t think I’m going to go in with a game plan.”
He bargains on utilising the “skill set” he acquired during his time in the military, adding that he can “read people very well”.
Ben says he can because “they always look up to the left, right, or cover their mouth”, even though his wife laughs when he make this claim.
Ellie, 33, psychologist, London
Ellie thinks she could be the first psychologist on The TraitorsCredit: BBC
Ellie plans to use her professional training to and “think through what their motivations are”.
She believes she might be the very first psychologist to appear on the show.
On being a Traitor, Ellie said: “I’m definitely prepared to throw anyone under the bus to maintain my facade”.
Faraaz, 22, internal auditor, Middlesbrough
Faraaz says ‘the game’s the game’Credit: BBC
Faraaz insists he’ll be “throwing people under the bus if I need to”.
He believes should stay loyal at first, before doing what needs to be done later on, as “the game’s the game”.
Faraaz added: “Unity at the start, and then throw someone under the bus at the last minute.”
Fiona, 62, local government officer, Swansea
Fiona says she can tell who is honest and who isn’tCredit: BBC
Fiona enjoys “chatting to people and getting to know them.”
But she says: “I think I’m able to see through people’s strategies and ascertain whether or not they’re truthful..”
While she is “not afraid to confront or challenge people,” she admitted she could be “setting myself up for failure”.
Harriet, 52, crime writer and former barrister, London
Harriet thinks her careers have put her in good stead for the competitionCredit: BBC
Harriet says her jobs inspired her to apply for , explaining: “I’m a crime writer and used to be a criminal barrister.
“I spend my life making up horrible ways for people to die.”
During her time on the show, she loves the idea she will be able to “plot to kill people or to track down a murderer… without actual blood being shed”.
Harriet believes her legal training might also help her “pick up on inconsistencies in what people say”.
Hugo, 51, barrister, London (born in Cardiff)
Hugo is ‘obsessed’ with The TraitorsCredit: BBC
Hugo believes his career as a barrister has blessed him with a great poker face.
He explained: “You have to believe what you’re saying, because people can pick up if you’re fidgety.”
A devoted fan of the show, he admitted: “I’m obsessed with – I think I’ve seen every episode.”
Jack, 29, personal trainer, Essex
Jack thinks he’s the ‘dark horse’Credit: BBC
Jack calls himself the “dark horse” of the group.
He plans to use “herd mentality, conformity [and] bias” to his advantage.
Jack says he will “play on the stereotype of being the PT from Essex”.
Jade, 25, PhD student, West Midlands
Jade is a ‘gamer by heart’Credit: BBC
Jade admitted she would be “shocked” to be picked as a Traitor.
But if she is, she said she would “just put on my big girl pants and get on with it”.
Calling herself “a gamer by heart”, Jade plans to “be sceptical of everyone”.
James, 38, gardener, Weymouth
James says he is always ‘analysing and processing’Credit: BBC
James “definitely want to be a Traitor”.
On what he plans to do if not picked to wear one of the , he said: “I would probably try and seduce the Traitors into seducing me!
James describes himself as “a bouncy Duracell bunny” who’s always “analysing and processing”.
Jessie, 28, hairstylist, Hull
Jessie is ready to ‘backstab people’Credit: BBC
Jessie believes “there hasn’t been a previous player like me” on the show.
She says that despite people underestimating her due to her “orange hair and stammer”, she can still be ruthless.
“If it means I have to backstab people who I have built bonds with, that’s just how it is,” she added.
Judy, 60, child liaison officer, Doncaster
Judy is going to throw herself into the missionsCredit: BBC
Judy was initially drawn to being a Faithful, but added that being a Traitor “might be fun.”
She insisted: “If anyone gets in my way, they’re going down!”
Judy is scared of heights, but plans to throw herself into the missions even if she has to fly in a helicopter.
Matthew, 35, creative director, Edinburgh
Matthew is going to balance murder and banishmentCredit: BBC
Matthew’s approach is simple: “Anyone but me.”
He wants to stay in the main group, saying: “No way am I getting off the train.”
“I won’t do anything that separates me from the wider group because I think that leaves you in danger.”
He believes the trick is balancing “murder and banishment.”
Maz, 59, civil servant, Preston
Maz will be going against his nature on the showCredit: BBC
Even though Maz doubts his ability to spot liars every time, he wants to be a Traitor to “be the complete opposite to what a Faithful is.”
For him, it’s a personal test outside his usual “trustworthy, honest and reliable” nature.
Hew added: “I just want to see if I can maybe deviate from that and see if I am capable of doing it.”
Netty, 42, nursery school teacher, Glasgow
Netty is worried she might be easy to readCredit: BBC
Netty admits her poker face “is not the best”.
Even so, she would prefer being a Traitor as she would “have more fun seeing the whole picture”.
Netty added that while she’ll play hard, she will also stay “within the rules of the game” and avoid cheating.
Rachel, 42, head of communications, County Down
Rachel is prepared to go to great lengths to winCredit: BBC
Rachel said she’s willing to do “anything to win”.
:She added: “Nothing’s off the tableI’m very good at knowing the difference between reality and a game.”
To conceal any perceived edge, she plans to downplay her job in strategic communications.
Reece, 27, sweet shop assistant, Sheffield
Reece will ‘remodel his personality’ to winCredit: BBC
Reece warns that he can be “cutthroat.”
He said: “If I must remodel my personality to fit what is in front of me… I will.”
He believes he’d be “more comfortable being a Traitor”.
Ross, 37, sales executive and personal trainer, London
Ross is going to ‘hide in plain sight’Credit: BBC
Ross applied for The Traitors “on a whim” but already knows his strategy.
He’ll “try and hide in plain sight” despite being “a big guy with a bassy voice”.
If picked as a Traitor, he said he would “kill anybody who I think was paying me a bit too much attention”.
Roxy, 32, recruiter, Amsterdam
Roxy wants to stay within her moral sphereCredit: BBC
Roxy admitted: “I don’t think I would be the best at catching Traitors!”
She wants to be one anyway because it “leans away from my natural personality”.
Roxy promised to stay “within my moral sphere and stay true to my moral compass”.
Sam, 34, account manager, North Yorkshire
Sam thinks he will be a TraitorCredit: BBC
Sam said he assumes he will be picked as a Traitor from the start.
He’s watched all three seasons to study “how the good and bad Traitors played the game”.
Sam plans to stay “in the middle” while forging authentic bonds.
Stephen, 32, cyber security consultant, London
Stephen Age: 32 Occupation: Cyber Security Consultant Location: LondonCredit: BBC
Stephen has “been re-watching some of the seasons” for inspiration.
He says success depends on being able to “read the room really quickly”.
Stephen believes he must “come up with a new strategy” – one of his own.
When is The Traitors Series 4 on?
Series four of at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer on .
The Beeb confirmed that the , hosted by Ed Gamble, will once again be returning.
The podcast starts on BBC Two immediately after the first episode ends at 9.05pm.
Then it moves over to BBC One for the remainder of the series – from Friday, January 2, 2026, at 9pm – and will also be available on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.
The has revealed that the on the following dates, though the times for the final week are yet to be finalised:
- Episode 1: Thursday, January 1, 8pm
- Episode 2: Friday, January 2, 8pm
- Episode 3: Saturday, January 3, 7:45pm
- Episode 4: Wednesday, January 7, 8pm
- Episode 5: Thursday, January 8, 8pm
- Episode 6: Friday, January 9, 8pm
- Episode 7: Wednesday, January 14, 8pm
- Episode 8: Thursday, January 15, 8pm
- Episode 9: Friday, January 16, 8pm
- Episode 10: Wednesday, January 21, time TBC
- Episode 11 – Thursday, January 22, time TBC
- Episode 12 – Friday, January 23, time TBC
Every episode becomes available on BBC iPlayer after being broadcast.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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