As January 2026 drags on, the third series of the BBC's hit reality show The Traitors is suddenly hurtling towards its dramatic conclusion. With just eight contestants left in Ardross Castle and the prize fund soaring into five figures, the endgame is in sight. Yet, for many viewers, there are only two players truly worth supporting: the original Traitors, Stephen and Rachel.
The Faithfuls' Fumbling Finale
The nature of the game has, perhaps inevitably, left the castle populated by Faithfuls who are more forgettable than formidable. Roxy and Faraaz are pleasant but have largely skated through by never appearing as a genuine threat. Jade, despite her impeccable knitwear, has spent much of her time as an unwitting decoy. The male contestants, Jack and Matthew, blended into an indistinguishable mass for weeks, while the final Faithful, James, has baffled everyone with his erratic shield-stealing antics. Simply put, this cohort has stumbled towards the finish line rather than strategised their way there.
The Celtic Traitors' Chaotic Mastery
In stark contrast, the Traitorous pair from Scotland and Ireland have operated with ruthless, if occasionally messy, efficiency. After their fellow original Traitor, Hugo, was banished, Stephen and Rachel vowed to remain loyal to each other. They have since weathered every storm the game has thrown at them—from the Secret Traitor reveal to murders in plain sight and Harriet's spectacular unravelling—with expert adaptability.
While the Faithfuls have descended into mutual suspicion, Stephen and Rachel have exploited this discord perfectly. Showing unwavering commitment, they have even turned down chances to recruit new Traitors, much to Matthew's visible frustration. Stephen, in particular, has seemed on the brink of banishment multiple times, only to be saved by another player's dramatic meltdown providing the perfect distraction.
A Ruthless Gamble That Paid Off
The duo's most audacious move came last week. After the perceptive Jessie correctly identified Stephen as a Traitor with her "Library Five" theory—and also suspected a Traitor was among those caged after Rachel's family tree portrait shortlist—Stephen took a huge risk. He and Rachel decided to murder his flame-haired accuser.
Knowing this would put him back in the spotlight, Stephen deployed a masterful "I'm being framed" defence at the subsequent roundtable. His performance was so convincing that, to his own astonishment, he received not a single vote. This bold play has, for now, cemented his status as a Traitor who has earned his shot at victory.
Rachel, the 42-year-old mother-of-three with FBI training, has been the series' unflappable puppet master. She cunningly turned on her early ally, Amanda, by revealing her police background to the group, sparking Fiona's game-ending confrontation. She then coolly saw off the accusations of secret barrister Harriet, whose furious roundtable outburst ultimately buried only herself.
No pair of Traitors has ever won the British version of the show, with previous finals always descending into betrayal. But in Stephen and Rachel, the show may have finally found a duo whose bond is unbreakable. With the remaining Faithfuls having fumbled their way this far, it's hard to argue that this year's Traitors don't deserve to steal the entire prize. As the final episodes loom, all eyes are on the Celtic conspiracy that has run the castle.
