Fans of BBC's hit reality show The Traitors are facing an agonising wait to uncover the identity of the mysterious Secret Traitor, with the programme now on a brief hiatus. The fourth series, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, aired its first three episodes this week but will not return until next Wednesday, leaving viewers on a cliffhanger.
When Does The Traitors Return?
The show resumes on Wednesday, January 7, with episode 4 airing at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. This will kickstart another intense block of programming, with episodes 5 and 6 following on Thursday and Friday at the same time. The season follows a consistent pattern, with three episodes airing each week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights at 8pm.
In total, season 4 will comprise 12 episodes. The schedule for the coming weeks is as follows:
- Episodes 4, 5 & 6: January 7, 8, 9.
- Episodes 7, 8 & 9: January 14, 15, 16.
- Episodes 10, 11 & 12: January 21, 22, 23.
The dramatic finale is set to broadcast at 8pm on Friday, January 23.
The Hunt for the Secret Traitor
The new Secret Traitor twist has added a fresh layer of deception to the game. Claudia Winkleman revealed that this player's identity is concealed from both the other contestants and the audience. Suspicion has fallen on several players, including Harriet, Fiona, Ellie, and Roxy.
The latest episode saw the remaining known Traitors, Stephen and Rachel, earn the right to unmask the Secret Traitor after completing a covert mission. Viewers watched as the Secret Traitor walked towards the Traitors' tower, but the episode ended just before the reveal, maximising the suspense.
Current Game Status
The season launched on New Year's Day with 22 contestants: three Traitors, one Secret Traitor, and 18 Faithfuls. The game has already seen significant action. Faithful Judy and Traitor Hugo have been banished, while Netty was murdered in episode 2. This means 15 players remain in the competition as the show heads into its next phase.
With the Secret Traitor's identity poised to be exposed and the faithfuls desperately trying to root out deception, the stakes have never been higher. All will be revealed when The Traitors returns to BBC screens next week.
