The BBC's hit psychological reality competition, The Traitors, is back for a highly anticipated fourth season, launching today on New Year's Day 2026. With the celebrity edition having just wrapped, the focus now shifts to 22 brand-new, everyday contestants who will enter the iconic Scottish castle, ready to lie, betray, and compete for a potential prize of £120,000.
Meet the 22 New Faces Heading for the Castle
The new line-up promises a fascinating mix of personalities and professions, all vying to outwit each other in the game of deception. Hosted by the ever-stylish Claudia Winkleman, the show continues to break viewing records, and this fresh batch of players is set to deliver more treachery, turrets, and tension.
Among the notable contestants is Amanda, 57, a retired police detective from Brighton. She believes her career experience of piecing together the truth and seeing through lies will be a vital asset in the game. Since retiring, she has turned to volunteering, helping vulnerable people, but admits to having a cunning side that may emerge in the castle.
Harriet, 52, a crime writer and former barrister from London, sees the game as a perfect fit for her skill set. While she usually concocts fictional murders for her books, she is excited to "actually plot to kill people" within the game's rules. Her strategy involves downplaying her sharp intellect by emphasising her role as a mother and housewife.
Strategies, Poker Faces, and Hidden Depths
The cast is brimming with individuals who have studied the game and come armed with tactics. Stephen, 32, a cyber security consultant from London, is a self-professed armchair expert of the global franchise and boasts a solid poker face. Faraaz, 22, an internal auditor from Middlesbrough, plans to observe quietly at the start, spreading "little nuggets" of information without drawing immediate attention.
Ellie, 33, a psychologist from London, is driven by the psychological intrigue of the game and plans to analyse the motivations behind every contestant's behaviour. Meanwhile, Jack, 29, a personal trainer from Essex, has deep-dived into the show's common themes like herd mentality and bias, and plans to play up Essex stereotypes to be underestimated.
Other contestants include Reece, a competitive sweet shop assistant; Roxy, an empathetic recruiter from Amsterdam; Hugo, a barrister fascinated by the roundtable deliberations; and Jessie, a hairstylist from Hull who believes her vibrant orange hair and stammer will cause others to underestimate her resolve.
Diverse Backgrounds and High Stakes
The group spans a wide age range and set of life experiences. Ben, 66, a retiree and grandfather from Hampshire, vows to play with the mental agility of a 22-year-old. Netty, 42, a nursery teacher from Glasgow with a limb difference, sees herself as a physical problem-solver. James, 38, a gardener with ADHD, describes himself as a constantly analysing "huge hamster" beneath a bouncy exterior.
With contestants like Fiona, a local government officer skilled at spotting liars, and Matthew, a creative director from Edinburgh who can compartmentalise his morals for the game, the stage is set for a season of intense strategic gameplay. Each player enters with their own plan, whether it's Jade's decision to downplay her PhD status or Ross's aim to "hide in plain sight" using his charisma.
The Traitors season 4 begins on BBC One and iPlayer at 8pm on New Year's Day. As the 22 strangers gather, the only certainty is that alliances will form, suspicions will rise, and the battle between the secret Traitors and the determined Faithful will once again captivate the nation.
