The next season of the hit BBC show *The Traitors* will feature a diverse cast of contestants, including a retired police detective, a crime writer, and a psychologist, as announced by the broadcaster. The new series is set to premiere on January 1, 2024, on BBC One and iPlayer, and promises another round of deception and intrigue as players are split into “traitors” and “faithfuls.”
Among the 22 contestants is Harriet Tyce, a bestselling author known for her thrillers. At 52 years old, she brings a unique perspective to the game, having a background as a former criminal barrister. Tyce is excited about the competition, stating, “I spend my life making up horrible ways for people to die and killing people on the page.” She plans to leverage her skills in storytelling while keeping her novelist identity low-key to avoid drawing suspicion.
Another contestant, Amanda, a 57-year-old retired police detective from Brighton, also aims to use her experience to navigate the challenges of the show. With a career spent uncovering deceit, she remarked, “To be a traitor, you have to be good at lying, have a good poker face and be a master of deflection.” Amanda’s background in interviewing criminals and victims could provide her with a strategic advantage in the game.
In a notable first for the series, Ellie, a 33-year-old psychologist, will bring her expertise to the infamous roundtable discussions where contestants vote to eliminate one of their own. She believes that forming early bonds is crucial in the game, stating, “Voting around the round table isn’t just about who’s suspicious; it’s also about the bonds that you’ve made with people.” Ellie plans to keep her profession under wraps to prevent any preconceived notions from influencing her fellow players.
The cast also includes Adam, an outspoken builder, James, a poker-playing gardener, and Reece, a 27-year-old sweet shop assistant, each bringing their own personalities and strategies to the competition. Together, they will engage in shared missions, nightly “murders,” and attempts to identify and banish the traitors, all while vying for a prize fund of £120,000.
Host Claudia Winkleman has hinted at a new twist for this season, which follows the successful celebrity edition that aired in late 2023. In that series, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the unexpected champion, captivating audiences with his unique approach to the game.
As the contestants prepare to enter the Scottish castle that serves as the backdrop for their strategic battle, viewers can expect a blend of suspense, psychological tactics, and unexpected alliances. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, *The Traitors* is set to deliver another riveting season filled with intrigue and drama.
