What time The Traitors is on tonight and who the contestants are as the show returns to BBC with a big twist
Grab your cloaks and lanterns, as it is timeThe Traitors kicks off with a brand new series tonight – but what time is it on?
Claudia Winkleman will be back at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands with 22 new contestants.
They will all be vying for the chance to win the enormous prize pot, which has a potential of topping £120,000.
But in order to get their hands on it, expect some serious deception, deceit and game-playing.
Claudia has also promised an “extraordinary twist” as the show returns for its fourth series.
Could there be a better way to celebrate the start of 2026?!
Here’s what time The Traitors is on tonight, where you can watch it and what we know about the twist.
The Traitors: Series 4 starts tonight
Fans of The Traitors have been desperately waiting for the start of the new series ever since the Celebrity Traitors wrapped up in November.
Alan Carr, the show’s winner, played such a blinder that viewers have been counting down the days for their next fix.
Well, the day has finally arrived. The brand new series starts tonight and we will finally get to meet this year’s 22 contestants.
Claudia Winkleman will chat to them all individually and find out whether they want to be a Faithful or a Traitor. She will then make her selection while stomping in circles at the Round Table.
Earlier this week, Claudia admitted the decision this year’s Traitors are doesn’t lie solely on her shoulders. The host says she has help from show bosses while they devour a box of biscuits!
But don’t expect everything to follow the same pattern as previous series of The Traitors, as Claudia has teased a big twist.
The Traitors red cloak twist
Claudia dropped the bombshell that there will be a big shake up to this year’s format during several promos for the series.
The first one was shot in black and white and showed Claudia carrying a letter through Ardross Castle sealed with a red wax stamp. She warned: “Sleep well… if you can.”
But it was the second trailer that really got the attention of fans, as it featured a contestant in a red cloak carrying a lantern. This is really significant, as the Traitors in the show only ever wear dark green cloaks.
As a grandfather clock struck midnight, Claudia said: “Have yourself a merry little Christmas. I’m joking.”
The person in the red-hooded cloak held his or her leather-clad finger up to their lips and said, “Shhhh…” before stalking off.
Since then, fans of The Traitors have been desperately trying to work out what the red cloak means. Guesses have included a returning Traitor or even a Traitor to the Traitors.
Hopefully we find out in the first episode!
Who are the 22 contestants?
The BBC has now released all the names of this year’s contestants and a little bit about each of them. Sadly, we only have first names to go on now, which means social media sleuthing is currently out. Boo!
This year’s Traitors players are:
- Harriet, 52, crime writer and former barrister from London
- Judy, 60, child liaison officer from Doncaster
- Netty, 42, nursery school teacher from Glasgow
- Stephen, 32, cyber security consultant from London
- Ross, 37, sales exec and personal trainer from London
- Ellie, 33, psychologist from London
- Sam, 34, account manager from North Yorkshire
- Fiona, 62, local government officer from Swansea
- Jessie, 28, hairstylist from Hull
- Hugo, 51, barrister from London
- Adam, 34, builder from Essex
- Rachel, 42, head of communications from County Down
- Jack, 29, personal trainer from Essex
- Jade, 25, PHd student from West Midlands
- Maz, 59, civil servant from Preston
- Amanda, 57, retired police detective from Brighton
- Faraaz, 22, internal auditor from Middlesborough
- Ben, 66, retired from Hampshire
- James, 38, gardener from Dorset
- Reece, 27, sweet shop assistant from Sheffield
- Roxy, 32, recruiter from Amsterdam
- Matthew, 35, creative director from Edinburgh
What time is The Traitors on tonight?
The Celebrity Traitors primarily aired at 9pm, so don’t be fooled. The Traitors starts at the earlier time of 8pm tonight (Thursday January 1, 2026).
You can watch it on BBC One and BBC iPlayer and it has a run time of 65 minutes. This means the show will end at 9.05pm.
You won’t have to wait long for the next couple of episodes, either. The Traitors continues at the same time of 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Friday January 2. Again, it is an hour long.
The third episode will then air on Saturday January 3. But be warned, it will start at 7.45pm and end at 9pm. An extra 10 minutes!
You will then have to wait until Wednesday January 7 for episode 4. This will start at 8pm, again on BBC One and iPlayer.
Series 4 of The Traitors comprises of 12 episodes.
Is The Traitors: Uncloaked on?
Good news. The Traitors’ companion show Uncloaked is back for another series, too.
Hosted by Ed Gamble, it will start straight after the first episode of The Traitors finishes at 9.05pm tonight. But you will need to switch over to BBC Two to watch it!
On Friday and Saturday night Uncloaked will air on BBC One, as soon as the main shows have finished.
Bring it on!
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