The Traitors Season 4 Reaches Its Climactic Finale
As the gripping fourth season of The Traitors builds towards its dramatic conclusion this week, the tension within the Scottish castle has reached fever pitch. The BBC One phenomenon continues to captivate audiences, with viewing figures soaring to remarkable highs of 11 million viewers. The show's success owes much to Claudia Winkleman's impeccable hosting and her distinctive wardrobe, but it is the diverse cast of contestants that truly brings the game to life.
From an initial pool of twenty-two ambitious individuals competing for the coveted £120,000 prize, only eight remain standing. The numbers have dwindled steadily through a combination of strategic murders and tense banishments at the roundtable. This season has delivered an extraordinary array of twists, including a secret Traitor, clandestine Church confessionals, hidden relationships, and a ceremonial dagger that could alter the game's trajectory entirely.
Meet the Final Eight Contestants
The remaining players represent a fascinating cross-section of backgrounds and strategies, each battling to outwit their opponents in this high-stakes game of deception and trust.
Stephen – Traitor
Stephen, a 32-year-old cybersecurity consultant from London, entered the castle as a self-professed armchair expert, having studied every franchise of The Traitors. His forensic analytical skills have served him well, and he boasts a formidable poker face that reveals little. Selected as a Traitor, Stephen made a decisive move by eliminating Jessie to secure his own position in the game.
Roxy – Faithful
Roxy, a 32-year-old recruiter from Amsterdam, describes herself as an empath who hopes to foster unity within the group. Having entered the castle alongside her mother Judy, she now stands as the sole survivor of their duo, determined to navigate the treacherous waters to the final.
Rachel – Traitor
Rachel, a 42-year-old head of communications from County Down, has drawn comparisons to Monica from Friends for her competitive drive. Her professional expertise in communication has allowed her to operate under the radar for much of the game, avoiding the suspicion that plagued fellow Traitors Hugo and Stephen. Despite recent scrutiny from Fiona and Harriet, she remains a formidable presence.
Faraaz – Faithful
Faraaz, a 22-year-old internal auditor from Middlesbrough, devised his game plan with his sister's counsel. His strategy involves observing others while carefully revealing selective information, avoiding the spotlight initially. Describing himself as a "fairly fit young lad," Faraaz has declared his willingness to "throw people under the bus" if necessary to advance.
Matthew – Faithful
Matthew, a 35-year-old creative director from Edinburgh, proudly identifies as the first Northern Irishman on the show. He hoped to be selected as a Traitor and has demonstrated a cutthroat approach, notably attempting to audition for Fiona's replacement by suggesting Jessie's murder and his own recruitment. His compartmentalisation skills allow him to separate game tactics from personal morality.
James – Faithful
James, a 38-year-old gardener from Weymouth, brings a background in music and poker to the game. His ADHD, which he describes openly, leads others to underestimate him, but he emphasises his constant analytical processing. This unique perspective could prove invaluable in identifying deception.
Jade – Faithful
Jade, a 25-year-old PhD student from the West Midlands, has deliberately downplayed her academic credentials, presenting herself as a master's student to avoid suspicion. Her sceptical approach aims to uncover alliances and distinguish Traitors from Faithfuls, though she has faced unwarranted heat at the roundtable following Amanda's accusations.
Jack – Faithful
Jack, a 29-year-old personal trainer from Essex, has meticulously analysed previous seasons, identifying patterns of herd mentality and bias. Aware of potential preconceptions about his Essex background, he plans to lean into stereotypes to be underestimated, using his deep understanding of game dynamics to his advantage.
Eliminated Contestants: A Roll Call of Departures
The journey to the final eight has seen numerous dramatic exits, each adding to the season's narrative complexity.
Netty, a 42-year-old nursery school teacher from Glasgow, was the first to be murdered, departing before she could fully showcase her humour and enthusiasm.
Judy, Roxy's 60-year-old mother and a child liaison officer from Doncaster, was banished in the first round after being wrongly identified as a Traitor.
Ben, a 66-year-old retiree from Hampshire, was murdered second, having expressed disappointment at not being selected as a Traitor.
Hugo, a 51-year-old barrister from London, was banished as a Traitor during the second roundtable, his deception uncovered early by the Faithfuls.
Ross, a 37-year-old sales executive and personal trainer from London, was banished third, his "hide in plain sight" strategy ultimately failing.
Maz, a 59-year-old civil servant from Preston and retired police officer, became the third Faithful to be murdered.
Amanda, a 57-year-old retired police detective from Brighton, was banished after creating tension between Traitors Fiona and Rachel.
Reece, a 27-year-old sweet shop assistant from Sheffield, was mercy-killed by the Traitors after struggling with game stress.
Fiona, the 62-year-old secret Traitor and local government officer from Swansea, was banished after her attempt to sabotage Rachel backfired spectacularly.
Harriet, a 52-year-old crime writer and former barrister from London, was banished after unsuccessfully trying to expose Rachel at breakfast.
Adam, a 34-year-old builder from Essex, was murdered in the eighth episode once it became clear he wouldn't be banished.
Sam, a 34-year-old account manager from North Yorkshire, was banished after grabbing a shield, a move viewed as suspicious by fellow contestants.
Jessie, a 28-year-old hairstylist from Hull, was murdered at the start of Episode 9 after correctly identifying Stephen as a threat.
Ellie, a 33-year-old psychologist from London, was banished in Episode 9, ending her psychologically-driven approach to the game.
Finale Schedule and Broadcast Details
The climactic episodes of The Traitors season 4 will air on BBC One this week, with the finale scheduled at a slightly altered time:
- Wednesday: BBC One, 8pm
- Thursday: BBC One, 8pm
- Friday's finale: BBC One, 8.30pm
As the remaining contestants navigate the final challenges and roundtables, viewers can anticipate unprecedented drama, unexpected alliances, and potentially shocking revelations. The ultimate question remains: will the Traitors successfully conceal their identities to claim the prize, or will the Faithfuls finally uncover the deception and secure victory?
