The Traitors series 5: How to apply for the BBC show and what casting directors are looking for
Would you be a Faithful or a Traitor?The Traitors is on the hunt for a new batch of contestants for series 5 – and here’s how to apply.
The BBC has already confirmed another series is in the pipeline and they are looking for new Traitors and Faithfuls to take part.
Last week, series 4 hit television screens and viewers are already completely captivated.
It’s likely the antics in Ardross Castle has now got you desperate to give it a go yourself.
If that is the case, then here’s how to apply for series 5 of The Traitors.
The Traitors: Series 5 confirmed
Series 4 of The Traitors kicked off on New Year’s Day and the BBC has already started its player hunt for series 5.
Given the current series’ start date, series 5 is likely to air on the BBC in early January 2027.
The contestants who are all on screen right now applied between August 2024 and March last year. Filming for series 4 then stretched across a four-week period in June 2025.
It appears a very similar pattern is happening with series 5 – so what are you waiting for?
How to apply for The Traitors
The BBC has actually been searching for series 5 Traitors and Faithfuls since September last year. But the number of applications is likely to be rocking now with The Traitors back on the telly.
In November last year, people were also asked to apply for The Traitors as the Celebrity series came to an end.
Uncloaked host Ed Gamble said: “If you’ve watched this and thought, ‘I’d be better at catching the Traitors’, let’s be honest it’s not difficult.. good news! Casting for series 5 is now open.”
If you fancy your chances in Ardross Castle and want to rub shoulders with Claudia Winkleman, you need to fill in an application form. The form can be found in the BBC’s Take Part section of its website.
The BBC asks: “Throughout the series, there will be twists, turns, rigorous challenges, shocks and surprises for the players. A game of trust and treachery… do you have what it takes to play?”
How old do you have to be?
The rules on this one are strict. Applicants have to be aged 18 or older. There are other rules too. Anybody applying are told they have to be free for up to four weeks in summer 2026 to film The Traitors. Applicants must also have the legal right to live in the UK.
There is also a section for diversity, equality and inclusion.
As well as all the bog standard questions, such as date of birth and address, applicants are asked at the end to state whether they want to be a Faithful or a Traitor. They must then give the reason why.
The box for this section is pretty small, so it needs to be a very good and stand-out reason to catch the eye of casting directors!
How to get picked for The Traitors
The BBC has given a few hints about what they are looking for from series 5 Traitors applicants. Casting directors want “fun, smart and strategic” players for the show.
They have also warned of “trickery, betrayal and backstabbing”. But surely, anyone who has watched the show before knows this is par for the course!
When do you have to apply by?
Series 5 Traitors hopefuls still have a little while to apply for the show. The closing date for applications is May 31, 2026. The BBC does say the closing date “may be extended or closed, for any reason, at our discretion without notice.”
You have been warned. And good luck!
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