New Series of The Traitors Premieres with Brutal Twist
The civilian (non-celebrity) series of The Traitors is set to premiere on 1 January 2026 at 8pm on BBC1 and iPlayer, featuring prize money up to £120,000.
Claudia Winkleman describes the new series as hardcore and very brutal, highlighting heated round-table discussions among contestants.
To refresh the show and change the conversation around the format, a new twist has been introduced in the civilian version. This twist was teased in a Christmas Day trailer featuring a red-cloaked Traitor.
The previous Celebrity Traitors series in 2025 attracted about 15 million viewers, with Alan Carr winning that edition.
The show uses coffins locally made in the Scottish Highlands. Ardross Castle houses a "weird death museum" containing props from previous series, which are recycled.
Studio Lambert’s Mike Cotton notes that because civilian contestants are largely unfamiliar to viewers, the twist is intended to help audiences better connect with them.
