The BBC has officially announced the highly anticipated return of its smash-hit reality competition, The Traitors, with the fourth series set to launch on New Year's Day.
When and Where to Watch the New Series
Fans can mark their calendars for Wednesday, 1 January, when the first episode will air at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The action continues swiftly with the second episode broadcast on Thursday, 2 January.
Once again, presenter Claudia Winkleman will be at the helm, returning to the atmospheric Scottish Highlands setting. The format sees a fresh group of 22 contestants, known as the Faithful, attempt to uncover the hidden Traitors amongst them to protect a prize fund that can reach up to £120,000.
More Twists and a Celebrity Spin-Off Success
The BBC promises the new series will deliver even greater levels of suspense, with "even more twists, turns, secrets, epic missions, deception, banishments and, of course, murders aplenty".
This announcement follows closely on the success of the debut celebrity edition, Celebrity Traitors, which aired in autumn 2025. That series proved to be a major ratings and cultural moment for the broadcaster, culminating in a victory for comedian Alan Carr as a Traitor.
Carr secured the win after faithful contestants, historian David Olusoga and actor Nick Mohammed, were outmanoeuvred. The series also turned former rugby player Joe Marler into an unlikely TV star, celebrated for his sharp gameplay analysis and his alliance with comedian Joe Wilkinson and Mohammed.
Viewers were left stunned when Mohammed ultimately voted to banish Marler in the finale, a move that inadvertently handed the victory to the deceptive Carr.
Uncloaked Podcast Returns for Series 4
Alongside the main show, the official companion podcast, The Traitors: Uncloaked, is also making a comeback. Host Ed Gamble will be joined by celebrities and former players to dissect the nightly drama.
The podcast will launch on BBC Two on 1 January at 9.05pm, immediately following the first episode. For the rest of the series, it will move to BBC One from 2 January at 9pm. All episodes will be available on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.
