Overview
- Claudia Winkleman returned on New Year’s Day to launch the fourth civilian series with 22 contestants at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
- Three named Traitors — Hugo, Rachel and Stephen — were selected, and a covert fourth Traitor was introduced whose identity is concealed from viewers and the other Traitors.
- The Secret Traitor compiles a restricted nightly murder shortlist that the Traitors must use, shifting control inside the game.
- Overnight ratings from the BBC show the premiere averaged 6.4 million viewers and peaked at 6.9 million, marking the show’s most-watched opening episode.
- Early reaction on social media ranged from praise for the twist to criticism that it reduces viewer insight, as the series continues on BBC One and iPlayer with a prize pot advertised up to £120,000.