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The Traitors Returns With Secret Fourth Traitor and Record Debut Ratings

A hidden fourth player controls the nightly murder shortlist to curb the Traitors' power.

Overview

  • Series 4 premiered on 1 January on BBC One and iPlayer with 22 contestants at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
  • Host Claudia Winkleman named Hugo, Rachel and Stephen as Traitors, while keeping a fourth Traitor’s identity concealed from both contestants and viewers.
  • Under the new rule, the secret Traitor compiles a nightly list of potential victims, from which the Traitors must choose, and the premiere’s missions added money to the prize pot and produced the first shortlist.
  • Overnight BBC figures show the show’s strongest launch to date, averaging 6.4 million viewers and peaking at 6.9 million.
  • Reaction to the twist is divided on social media as producers say it gives audiences a new mystery to solve, with the series continuing tonight at 8pm on BBC One.