Meet the cast of The Traitors 2026: From a barrister turned crime writer to a former police detective – a look at the contestants fighting for a huge prize pot in juiciest series yet

Traitors is back! And if the show’s millions of viewers thought that the Celebrity version was treacherous, wait for this one.

Today, the fourth series of the BBC’s much watched show launches, and once again it promises ferocious backstabbing and the most astonishing twist the programme has ever seen as 22 hopefuls line up to scoop the eye-watering prize pot in what promises to be the juiciest season yet.

And even host Claudia Winkleman has been surprised at just how devious this year’s cast is, telling the Daily Mail: ‘We’ve never seen it played like this brilliant cast play it. They play it in such an extraordinary way. They all really want the money.

‘All I will say is there’s something new and what happens in this series is truly extraordinary with moments that made me gasp. I can’t wait for people to see it. The producers have the greatest minds on earth.’

So here’s your guide to this year’s fresh batch of Faithfuls racing to find and banish the murderous Traitors – and amongst them is a barrister turned crime writer, a former police detective and a personal trainer who is a fifth ranked muscle model in Europe.

Harriet

Age: 52

Occupation: Barrister turned crime writer

Location: London

Recovering alcoholic Harriet worked as a criminal barrister for nearly ten years before quitting to write crime novels.

Harriet, who grew up in Edinburgh before moving down South, is now a Sunday Times Best Selling Author, and has been sober for three years. ‘There are only so many blackouts a middle-aged mum should have,’ she shared in an interview with The Guardian.

Revealing what finally gave her the push to go sober, she explained: ‘One of my best friends died in April 2021. It was cancer, it was terrible, and it was emphatically not alcohol related in any way. But we were born within two weeks of each other and seeing her life cut so short was a moment of reckoning for me. It was time to take care of myself.

‘My last drink was on 7 June 2022.’

Harriet, who lives with her husband, children, and two dogs, said if she wins the money on the BBC show, she will donate it to Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Stephen

Age: 32

Occupation: Cyber Security Consultant

Location: London

Stephen is dedicated to winning the show, and admitted he has even re-watched the former series to get a game plan together.

‘I’ve been re-watching just to kind of get my head in the game and examine the certain things that people have done that were so normal to them but others found weird, so looking out for those little things that might arouse suspicion,’ he said.

Self-proclaimed ‘control freak’ Stephen added that he would love to be a Traitor: ‘I can be a bit of a control freak, and I feel like as a Traitor, it really is the best way to take control of the game. Your chances of going home are slashed by 50% because you can only go out by banishment.’

Amanda

Age: 57

Occupation: Retired Police Detective

Location: Brighton

Amanda is hopeful she can use her skills as a police detective to see through the other contestants lies.  

‘I’ve learned a lot about being deceptive, devious and cunning. On the other side of the coin, I am a good person, and I became a police officer to help people. You have to be nice and calm, even when there’s a big storm around you,’ she said.

When asked if she is competitive, Amanda replied: ‘As I’ve got older, and obviously I’m nearer 60 now, I’m still very competitive, but I’ve also realised there are more important things in life than winning everything. Since retiring from the police, I’ve become a volunteer. I look after vulnerable people.’

Jessie

Age: 28

Occupation: Hairstylist

Location: Hull

Jessie applied to the BBC show to challenge herself, after opening up about her struggles with a stammer on social media. ‘Because I have a stammer, I can’t hide who I am, and it has helped me be an authentic person, because I just can’t hide it,’ she said.

In one TikTok video, Jessie explained: ‘When I was younger, I tried to hide my stammer because I couldn’t accept that it was part of me, but it is, and that’s the card that I’ve been dealt.

‘I’ve just got to try and be in control as much as I can. This post is about me facing my stammer head-on and not let it win.’

Adam

Age: 34

Occupation: Builder

Location: Essex

Adam describes himself as ‘very outspoken and dramatic’, adding: ‘I speak my mind completely like there’s no filter there.’

On how he has prepared for the game, Adam said: ‘You won’t be able to tell if I’m lying. I’ve studied body language. I understand how people stand, what they do with their hands, their ticks, their eye movements, even the way their ears move!

‘A lot will depend on the personalities that are in there. You have to act a certain way around certain people, not everyone will come from the same background as me. You have to sort of blend in and adapt to the situation that you’re dealt.’

Netty

Age: 42

Job Title: Nursery School Teacher

Location: Glasgow

Netty is a single mother with a limb difference, who wants to challenge herself and win the money to take her seven-year-old daughter travelling.

Asked why she first applied for the show, Netty explained: ‘Purely selfish reasons, but I just wanted to have some fun and do something that allowed me to get a little bit of myself back.’

She added: ‘I like to do physical things and to challenge myself even though I’m maybe not the most well equipped. I’ve got a limb difference, and some things are more challenging for me than others, but I like to think that I can work my way around it.’

Ben

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired

Location: Hampshire

Ben is a Royal Navy Veteran and believes his skills from the forces will come in useful during the game.

When asked how far would he be prepared to go to win, Ben brutally replied: ‘I would quite happily step on anyone’s toes. Not a problem, I can be ruthless.

On how he would spend the money, Ben added: ‘I’d like to learn how to fly and I would love to take my wife on the honeymoon that she never had. When we got married, I got posted to Saudi Arabia and so she organised the wedding and I flew back to the UK, got married, and then flew back out, so I would love to give her that dream honeymoon. And then I’d obviously treat the family.’

Ellie

Age: 33

Occupation: Psychologist

Location: London

Ellie plans to enter the game hiding her occupation as she doesn’t want people to make assumptions about her.

‘I think I might be the first psychologist on the show, so I’m hoping I can bring that psychological perspective. I’m going to be analysing what other contestants are doing and trying to think through what their motivations are for behaving in certain ways,’ she said.

Faraaz

Age: 22

Occupation: Internal Auditor

Location: Middlesbrough

Faraaz is planning to take his family on a religious pilgrimage if he wins, and already has a game plan in order to make it happen.

‘One thing is it’s important not to be too boisterous at the start, because you can’t win at the start. You can only lose. So, I think just keep some opinions and some cards close to your chest at the beginning and then observe everyone else whilst spreading little nuggets here and there but not making yourself the centre of attention straight away.

‘You can see how it’s possible to get very invested and show emotions. However, I think I can detach from my emotions quite easily and therefore I’ll be able play with my head over my heart.’

Fiona

Age: 62

Occupation: Local Government Officer

Location: Swansea

Despite admitting she doesn’t watch reality TV, Fiona has become invested in The Traitors. ‘I’ve never applied for anything like this before, but I really enjoy the show. I think it’s the most authentic reality TV show, and I’m not big into reality TV. I think because it’s a game which requires a lot of tact and a lot of psychological maneuvers, it just appealed to me

Revealing her game plan, she said: ‘I just want to get to know people, warts and all. I’m not afraid to confront or challenge people, but not in a bullying or harassing way. I wouldn’t dream of doing that to anybody. I would definitely be somebody that wouldn’t be afraid to speak their mind.’

Hugo

Age: 51

Occupation: Barrister

Location: London (Born in Cardiff)

Hugo is a very successful Barrister who currently splits his time between the Caribbean, London, and Dubai, where he appears in the DIFC courts.

Despite a busy work schedule, he has become obsessed and watched every episode of the show.

On if he has a good poker face, he explained: ‘I think so, I mean I’m a barrister and I have to stand up in front of a jury and be a kind of big cuddly teddy bear, so you have to believe what you’re saying because people can pick up if you’re all fidgety. So yes, I hope so, because it’s important for my job.’

Jack

Age: 29

Occupation: Personal Trainer

Location: Essex

Coming across as a brutal player willing to do what it takes to win, Jack said: ‘I may come across as smiley, but I can switch it up if I need to.

‘I already have a whole section in my tactics book called brutal tactics, which are ones I’ll only employ if I feel that things are slipping, but I’ve got these tactics that I know will work. I will steer certain players in the group and manipulate them into building a group of votes around a certain player, steering things in a certain way.

‘A big tactic is I’d never want to directly instigate rumours. I want to steer the conversation without explicitly being like, I think it’s him or her, because that could backfire at the Round Table.’

Jade

Age: 25

Occupation: PhD Student

Location: West Midlands

Jade is a PhD student at university doing research into women’s health and pregnancy, but in her spare time she loves playing video games, which she hopes will give her an advantage.

‘I think I’ll play everything that I do down a bit. I’m going to say that I am a master’s student, rather than a PhD because this is my whole life. I can’t go in there and make up a whole new background as that’s too much effort to keep up, so I will just play down what I do.

‘I have a resting mean face sometimes, which can kind of look like I’m just staring people out, so I need to watch myself as I can be quite blunt and direct as well. My game plan is basically to go in there and try and be part of the crowd but also be a bit of a shark amongst the little sheep,’ she said.

James

Age: 38

Occupation: Gardener

Location: Weymouth

James is desperate to become a Traitor, and has vowed to do whatever it takes to become one, including seducing them. 

‘I would probably try and seduce the Traitors into seducing me! Do a bit of reverse seduction, like, look good at the Round Table – okay, he speaks eloquently, this guy could handle the pressure. I think I’d give off that impression. If I’m nervous myself, I can affect a happy go lucky demeanor.

‘I will do anything in my power to become one if I’m not picked. My poker skills would come in handy. I’d like to think I’m a nice person, but it would be exhilarating to be a Traitor,’ he said. 

The gardener hopes his poker skills come in handy, but won’t be telling anyone in the castle about his success in the gambling game.

Judy

Age: 60

Occupation: Child Liaison Officer

Location: Doncaster

Judy revealed that she is dyslexic and will use it to her advantage, as her brain is wired to be good at reading people. She wants to spend the prize money on her family and spending time with her 11 grandkids.

She explained: ‘I’ve got a big family. I’ve got 11 grandkids, ranging from 17 years old down to a year. I’ve got three stepdaughters, who are absolutely beautiful inside and out, and my own children. I’d love to be able to book a villa for all of us – all the grandkids, everybody, just to do that as a one off. That’s what I’d love to do, because everyone’s lives are busy and getting everyone together, under one roof, I’d love to do that.’

Matthew

Age: 35

Occupation: Creative Director

Location: Edinburgh

Matthew is confident he will be an asset for the team when it comes to missions and said prior to entering the castle: ‘I’m not afraid of anything, I’m sporty and I cold swim all the time, so the physical missions will be fine. I do a lot of bouldering and climbing, so the heights are also fine and I think I would relish all of them.’

He added that he is not afraid to guilt trip the other contestants at the final round table to win himself the prize money.

‘Me and my partner got engaged during COVID, and I had campaigned for marriage equality in Northern Ireland – they had civil partnerships, but they never had same sex marriage until 2020. At the time I was campaigning, I didn’t think that I wanted to get married, but now I feel like I do. 

‘So having campaigned for marriage equality in Northern Ireland, I think that’s a better story for the last round table if I get there because it’s not cool to go against the gay who wants to get married! I think that I would probably say that I’m going to get married back home in Northern Ireland on my family farm. And then if I win, I might just have to do that,’ he said.

Maz

Age: 59

Occupation: Civil Servant

Location: Preston

Maz is a family man, with five children, five grandchildren and another on the way. ‘I’m 59 and I’ve done various things in my life, so I feel as though I’ve got good life experience,’ he said.

‘I’m quite active and I think I’m quite fit for my age. I play football twice a week, so I think I’ll bring that energy and drive.’

Rachel

Age: 42

Occupation: Head of Communications

Location: County Down

Rachel is certainly not afraid to be brutal when playing the game and has practiced her poker face when lying to her husband.

‘I will do anything to win. Nothing’s off the table.

‘It’s very black and white for me. If it’s a game, I would do anything at all to win. They’ve all signed up to a game with a very obvious name on it. If they don’t get the memo, you’re on the wrong show.’

My husband can’t even tell if I’m telling the truth anymore, not that I lie to him all that often, but I could wind him up and say something off the cuff, and he’s like, I don’t even know if that’s true!’

Rachel would spend the prize money making memories with her mother, who has dementia. I just want to create memories with her whilst I’m still lucky enough to have her, and to create memories with my kids, because they just love their nanny,’ she said.

Reece

Age: 27

Occupation: Sweet Shop Assistant

Location: Sheffield

Reece is determined to do well, admitting he often cheats during games and is even willing to ‘remodel his personality to win’.

‘I’m not shy at being cutthroat. I’m quite what you see is what you get, but obviously very aware that this is a game. If I must remodel my personality to fit what is in front of me at that time, that is what I will do. I’m very competitive and confident, I don’t want to go on and change who I am, or anything about me, I want to go on and be successful being me in the game,’ he shared.

Ross

Age: 37

Occupation: Sales Exec and Personal Trainer

Location: London

Ross confidently stated he has won numerous accolades and is generally a lucky guy.

‘I’ve won at most things. When I was younger, I played basketball for London and at the London Youth Games, moving on to play rugby sevens through Sport England Tall and Talented scheme under 25s. I did bodybuilding. I’m a fifth ranked muscle model in Europe,’ he said.

Roxy

Age: 32

Occupation: Recruiter

Location: Amsterdam

Opening up ahead of her appearance, Roxy shared that the first six years of her life were rocky, but hopes her live experience can get her far in the competition: ‘The first six years of my life were a little rocky, and I think having that lived experience of adapting to different situations, meeting different people, figuring out who to trust, I thought those skills that have come from unfortunate circumstances, would actually take me really far on the show.’

Explaining how she would spend the large sum of cash, she said: ‘I’ve got a big family. I would love to take all of those guys away and just do something nice as a family unit. I’d also use the money to start a family with my boyfriend.’

Sam

Age: 34

Occupation: Account Manager

Location: North Yorkshire

Sam has watched every episode in preparation for the game, and he is determined to win big to start a family with his wife.

‘That’s the biggest driver for me doing this. The money would go towards childcare and everything like that as the costs are astronomical now, and so the money would just remove so much external pressure for us,’ he said.

The Traitors starts New Years Day at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.