The first look at The Traitors season three has got us very excited
It only seems like yesterday that we were all hooked on The Traitors. It's fair to say that the hit BBC game show dominated office kitchen and WhatsApp group chats when season two aired back in January, so we're delighted that it's back for a third – and on our small screens again now.
Claudia Winkleman is resuming her inimitable hosting duties, meaning more enviable knitwear and Highlands-chic fashion inspiration. She's also already revealed a huge twist for season three – finalists will no longer reveal whether they were a Traitor or a Faithful when they leave, meaning the game will be left up to instinct in its final minutes. Eek!
In a recent BBC Q&A, Claudia also mentioned the series three missions, which she described as "really, really exciting". "I love the missions and I really hope that people love them," she said. "They keep getting bigger and better, and this year have more stakes in the bigger picture of the game than ever before."
We highly doubt that Diane's iconic funeral from series two can be topped, but hey, we'll be very happy to be proved wrong. One first-look image for episode three shows a Viking-style boat awaiting the contestants, so we're looking forward to some water-based carnage on Friday night.
Find out everything we know below, and stay tuned for more updates on The Traitors season three as soon as we get them
What night is Traitors UK on?
The Traitors season three kicked off on New Year's Day on BBC One and iPlayer, with the second episode airing at 8pm on Thursday 2 January. From then on, it will air on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights at the slightly later time of 9pm.
Meet the new The Traitors cast
The first episode of the new season kicked off with a twist that left us all gasping, when 25 contestants boarded a steam train, only to be told that one person from each of the three carriages had to volunteer to leave the game. Several painfully awkward silences later, three kind souls did, all hoping that their altruism would somehow be rewarded. It remains to be seen whether they'll return in a later twist, but their departure seemed pretty final. Ouch.
We've also seen our first kill and are soon to see the results of the first banishment, meaning we're now left with 21 players, but we'll avoid spoilers and run through the original cohort of 25, below:
Alex, 29, a care manager from Whitby
Alexander, 38, a former British diplomat from London
Anna, 28, a swimming teacher from County Wicklow, Ireland
Armani, 27, a financial investigator from London
Charlotte, 32, a business director from Hampshire
Dan, 33, a bank risk manager from Liverpool
Elen, 24, a translator from Cardiff
Fozia, 50, a community development manager from Birmingham
Francesca, 44, an interior designer from East Sussex
Freddie, 20, a politics student from Peterborough
Jack, 24, a market trader and landscaper from Yorkshire
Jake, 28, a project manager from Barrow-in-Furness
Joe, 37, an English teacher from Southampton
Kasim, 33, a doctor from Cambridge
Keith, 65, a window cleaner from Bournemouth
Leanne, 28, an army veteran from Holywell, North Wales
Leon, 40, a retail store manager from the East Midlands
Linda, 70, a retired opera singer from Hertfordshire
Lisa, 62, an Anglican priest from Cornwall
Livi, 26, a model and beautician from Horsham
Maia, 25, a full-time mum from Essex
Minah, 29, a call centre manager from Liverpool
Nathan, 39, a property consultant from London
Tyler, 29, a barber from Leicester
Yin, 34, a Doctor of Communication Science from Berkshire
What happens on The Traitors?
Oh...so much happens. If you're new to The Traitors, we fully recommend catching up on the last two series too. Described by the BBC as "the ultimate reality game of trust and treachery", it involves 22 strangers, one castle, a lot of mind games and a £120k cash prize.
The team of players compete in a series of missions that give them the opportunity to add more money to the prize pot. However, hidden among them are Traitors, who meet in secret to decide which of their fellow players, known as Faithfuls, to 'banish' from the castle next. The aim of the Traitors is to remain hidden until the end, while the Faithfuls are trying to 'uncloak' them all. Of course, treachery also comes into things, as ideally every Traitor wants to take all the prize for themselves, rather than split it with their fellow Traitors. It's twisty, it's turny, and it'll have you on the edge of your sofa, probably hiding behind a pillow.
Where is The Traitors filmed?
The dramatic, eerie setting is key for The Traitors, which is filmed at 19th-century Ardross Castle, about 40 minutes north of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.
Where do The Traitors contestants sleep?
If you're wondering whether contestants actually sleep in the castle at night, the truth is a lot less glamorous: they all kip at the Inverness Airport hotel, according to actor Alan Cummings, who hosts the US version that's filmed at the same venue.
Can you stay at The Traitors castle?
Sadly not: Ardross Castle is available for exclusive hire for private and corporate events, but it doesn't offer hotel rooms. If you're getting married, it'd certainly make a memorable wedding venue.
Is there a celebrity Traitors?
There hasn't been a UK edition so far, but Celebrity Traitors is coming and we really can't wait. Casting is underway for a nine-part series and filming is scheduled to take place in 2025. Rumoured celebrities include Stephen Fry, Courtney Cox, Tom Daley, Tess Daly, Andy Murray and Zoe Ball. It's going to be GOOD.
Will there be a season 4 of The Traitors?
Yes, excitingly The Traitors season 4 has also already been greenlit, so there's a lot more edge-of-your-seat drama to come. Mike Cotton, Creative Director Unscripted at Studio Lambert and Executive Producer for The Traitors, said: "We are thrilled to be inviting some celebrities into our castle to come and play the game. Seeing famous faces navigate the round table or don the infamous green cloaks will be unmissable TV, and what a double treat for the fans with series four also confirmed too. There's a whole lot of exciting treachery and deception yet to come from the Highlands. Claudia's going to have to pack some extra knitwear."
How to apply to be on The Traitors?
To apply to be on The Traitors season 4, fill in the online application form by 9 February 2025. You must be aged 18 or older, have the right to legally reside in the UK, and be available to take part for up to four weeks, currently expected to be sometime next spring/summer.
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