The much-anticipated fourth series of The Traitors kicked off last night on BBC One, with Claudia Winkleman once again guiding a fresh group of contestants through a tense battle of trust and deception. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Scotland’s Ardross Castle, players compete as either traitors or faithfuls, all chasing a prize pot that could reach £120,000.
Behind the scenes, Mike Cotton, creative director at Studio Lambert—the production company behind the show—shared how the audience’s response has genuinely surprised the team. “Parents have been coming up to us, saying that The Traitors has brought them back to sharing TV moments with their teenagers and children,” he revealed. “It’s turned into this big family viewing event, which we didn’t expect for a show centered on murder, lies, and betrayal.”
Cotton explained that the transition from celebrity editions to the original format featuring everyday contestants presented unique challenges. “With celebrities, viewers already know and love them, but with the civilian version, audiences need to get to know new players and learn to love them,” he said. This dynamic inspired a fresh twist to shake things up: a secret fourth traitor whose role is unknown not only to viewers but to their fellow traitors as well.
READ MORE: Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Build New Cotswolds Home Under Unique ‘Rich Person’ Planning Clause
READ MORE: Cotswold Councillor Tony Dale Triumphs Over Tragedy to Lead Health, Culture, and Visitor Experience
The stakes are high, with Claudia noting that the contestants “get really brutal” during the strategic roundtable discussions, heightening the intensity of the competition. She teased that while new players can watch previous seasons for insight, every series introduces a completely different set of minds and strategies, making past experience no guarantee of success.
Last year’s celebrity edition culminated with comedian Alan Carr triumphing as a traitor, claiming £87,500 for charity despite emotional moments revealing just how taxing the experience could be. Claudia herself has shared that she wasn’t instantly sold on hosting the show, initially reluctant to leave her family for weeks. But after watching the Dutch version, she became hooked and eagerly accepted the role.
With Claudia recently moving on from Strictly Come Dancing and launching her own chat show, The Traitors remains a cornerstone of BBC One’s lineup, continuing to captivate viewers with every episode.
The Traitors airs tonight at 8pm on BBC One.