The Traitors 2026 reside: Netty turns into first individual murdered as followers speculate over Secret Traitor

Claudia Winkleman reveals major Traitors twist during new season launch

The Traitors is back on BBC One, with 22 new contestants vying to win the game of deception and behavioural scrutiny – and a huge fresh twist in the mix.

Among the contestants this year are a bestselling crime writer and a retired police detective.

In the first episode, host Claudia Winkleman selected three contestants – Stephen, Hugo, and Rachel – as Traitors.

In a twist to the established format, she also announced the selection of an unidentified Secret Traitor, leaving the central trio of Traitors feeling bewildered and paranoid.

A further late surprise saw contestant Roxy reveal that she is actually the daughter of fellow player Judy.

With the game now in its second episode, Stephen, Hugo and Rachel are deploying their best strategies to uncover their covert overlord.

We already know it can’t be James or Maz, as those were the Faithfuls selected by the Secret Traitor to appear on the murder shortlist along with Netty, who sadly became the first contestant to be murdered.

So who could it be? Stephen’s got his eye on Judy and former detective Amanda…

Judy becomes the first player banished

Oh no! Bless her, the writing really was on the wall straight away, wasn’t it?

She has revealed she is, of course, a Faithful.

(BBC)

And her daughter is not happy! Things are getting tense already, eek…

Rachel McGrath2 January 2026 20:58

Is this ‘Y’ not a little bit like the one on the murder shortlist?!

(BBC)

Or am I clutching at straws? For comparison…

Night one murder shortlist (BBC)
Rachel McGrath12 January 2026 20:55

I really hope Ross doesn’t go… partially because he seems lovely but also because his name is one of the few I have learnt.

Rachel McGrath2 January 2026 20:53

The airquotes are out already! The roundtables are going to be brutal this year, aren’t they…

Amanda’s on the case… (BBC)
Rachel McGrath2 January 2026 20:50

I always forget how they’re all just crammed around that table in the early episodes.

No elbow room at all…

(BBC)
Rachel McGrath2 January 2026 20:47

It looks like this roundtable will essentially be Judy vs Sam!! Bring it on.

Rachel McGrath2 January 2026 20:43

Oh Amanda…

(BBC)
Rachel McGrath2 January 2026 20:41

“I’ll look like Cindy Crawford… I’ve got a little red bather which is a thong!”

Fiona is already an icon. I cannot tell you how much I would love for her to be the Secret Traitor.

Rachel McGrath2 January 2026 20:37

They’ve done it! £8,750 added to the prize pot and the shield winners are Amanda, Faraaz and Jade.

Rachel McGrath2 January 2026 20:35

Does anyone know if Sam is desperate for a shield? I don’t think he’s mentioned it…

Rachel McGrath2 January 2026 20:33