The first casualty of the latest series of The Traitors has issued a stark warning about a player she believes is being dangerously overlooked in the hunt for the anonymous Secret Traitor.
Netty's Theory on the Secret Threat
Nursery school teacher Netty Österberg, 42, made a memorable impact during her brief time in the fourth series of the hit BBC show. She became the first player to be murdered by the Traitors' alliance of Stephen, Rachel, and the now-eliminated Hugo, after her name appeared on a hit list provided by the unseen Secret Traitor.
Despite having watched her own exit, Netty remains in the dark about who precisely ordered her elimination. However, she has a strong suspicion about one contestant who could be a major threat if unmasked as the enigmatic figure in the red cloak.
That player is Jade, the 25-year-old PhD student. "I think she could be a very dangerous Secret Traitor," Netty explained in an exclusive chat. "She was obviously a stunning-looking girl, and she’s young, so people might not have expectations of her."
Why Jade Poses a Major Risk
Netty elaborated on her interactions with Jade, noting that her Gen Z demeanour could be a perfect disguise. "In the interactions I had with her, she just came across as really Gen Z and in the moment," she said. "At one point, she said ‘slay’ to me... but actually she’s obviously a very smart woman, and she could use that very well, I’m sure."
She believes that if Jade were to be revealed as the Secret Traitor and join Stephen and Rachel in the turret, she would remain a potent threat precisely because Faithfuls would continue to underestimate her.
Ross and the Castle's Secret Connections
Netty also harbours suspicions about her old friend Ross, whose behaviour at the breakfast table after her murder raised eyebrows. He told a startled group he had ‘planned’ not to recognise Netty, despite having no prior knowledge she would be in the castle.
"How can you have a plan in two seconds when you’ve just seen somebody?" Netty questioned. "He’s shooting himself in the foot a little bit." She plans to have a "proper sit-down" with him, an encounter that could be heavily influenced by the Secret Traitor's unveiling on Wednesday night.
Her doubts are compounded by fan theories that have swarmed social media, alleging a secret pre-existing connection between Ross and fellow contestant, psychologist Ellie, based on a 2024 photo. Netty admitted she noticed nothing of the sort during her time in Ardross Castle.
Accepting Her Fate and Looking Ahead
Despite her early exit, Netty is philosophical about her game. "I feel like I’ve accepted that I played the way I should have," she reflected. "I think trying to do it another way wouldn’t be true to myself – but of course I would have loved to have been in there a lot longer."
After initial feelings of FOMO, returning to her daughter and work provided perspective, though the excitement has bubbled up again with the show's broadcast. The identity of the Secret Traitor will finally be revealed when The Traitors continues on Wednesday at 8pm on BBC One.
