Dedicated fans of the hit BBC show The Traitors are convinced they have cracked the identity of the secret fourth Traitor after spotting what they believe is a major production blunder.
The Uncloaked Wall Blunder
During Thursday night's episode of the companion show Uncloaked, eagle-eyed viewers noticed something peculiar in the background. Portraits of the three known Traitors – Hugo, Rachel, and Stephen – were displayed on a wall. However, positioned alongside them was a picture of another contestant, Harriet.
This visual clue sent fans flocking to social media platform X to share their discovery. One viewer directly questioned the setup, writing: 'Why are the 3 traitors pictured on the wall…..with Harriet.' Another stated more definitively: 'Spoiler: The portraits of the traitors are in the background of #traitorsuncloaked.... Plus an additional one. Harriet the secret traitor!'
A third fan speculated on the potential fallout, posting: 'Have Uncloaked revealed the identity of the Secret Traitor already?… Imagine, though, what a plot twist!?' While it seems unlikely producers would make such an obvious mistake, the discovery has fuelled intense speculation among the show's devoted audience.
Previous Suspicions and Fan Theories
This is not the first time viewers have been certain they identified the secret player. After the series premiere, suspicion heavily fell on contestant Sam. His comment about wanting to stay 'under the radar' after the first challenge struck many as suspicious for someone supposedly just a Faithful.
Reactions on X at the time were filled with theories: 'Why would Sam be worried about a 'radar' #TheTraitors,' one user pondered. Another declared: 'The secret traitor is Sam. So many clues have been given #TheTraitors.' The speculation was widespread, with numerous posts locking in Sam as their prime suspect for the covert role.
Other fans have theorised that the secret Traitor could actually be one of the three known Traitors, adding a further layer of deception to the game. This season's major twist, revealed by host Claudia Winkleman, involves a secret fourth Traitor who wears a distinctive red cloak and is the only player with full knowledge of every contestant's true allegiance. Even the audience is kept in the dark about their identity.
Why The Format Was Changed
Explaining the decision to introduce the secret Traitor twist, Mike Cotton, Creative Director at Studio Lambert, said each series is treated as its own murder mystery. 'We never change the core game, but we always work in twists,' he stated. 'We thought it would be interesting if you didn't know who one of the Traitors was.'
He elaborated on the dynamic, noting: 'As Claudia says in the show, the secret Traitors' reign will go on until the others earn the power back. The Traitors are used to having all of the power, so it will be interesting to see how they navigate that and if they can use it to their advantage.'
While viewers saw Claudia select Stephen, Rachel, and Hugo, the moment she tapped the secret fourth Traitor on the shoulder was kept off camera. Now, whether through a genuine spoiler or a clever red herring, the hunt to unmask them is well and truly on – both in the castle and amongst the audience at home.
