The Traitors returns to BBC One on New Year’s Day 2026 with 22 new contestants competing for up to £120,000.

Claudia Winkleman has revealed exciting details about the forthcoming series of The Traitors, with a major twist awaiting BBC audiences.

The popular presenter will welcome 22 fresh contestants to the Scottish Highlands for the programme’s fourth series, launching on January 1st, 2026.

Her latest batch of Traitors and Faithfuls will compete for a prize fund worth up to £120,000. As in earlier series, the game begins with Claudia selecting her Traitors.

The remaining participants must then work to unmask the deceivers and vote them out before the finale. Should they succeed, the surviving Faithful contestants claim the prize money.

However, should they fail, the Traitors get the chance to pocket the entire sum. Prior to the new episodes, presenter Claudia has hinted at a significant twist, reports Wales Online.

Claudia Winkleman has admitted that some moments in the new series made her gasp (Image: BBC)

Discussing what audiences can anticipate with the BBC, she revealed: “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.”

Claudia explained that she couldn’t elaborate on the twist, confessing: “I’d really love to but I’d get into enormous trouble.”

However, it’s likely the shake-up involves the arrival of red cloaks. In the recent Christmas teaser trailer, Claudia was heard remarking: “It’s a little bit different this year,” as a Traitor in a red cloak made an appearance, which differs from the traditional green cloak.

Speculations have already been circulating among fans about what the new cloak could mean, with some proposing it might be worn by a new ‘type of Traitor’, possessing entirely new powers in the game.

However, for now, all we know is that the twist was enough to impress Claudia.

The Traitors series four premieres on New Year’s Day (Image: BBC)

The first episode of season four will broadcast on BBC One at 8pm on New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1st). The second instalment is slated to air at the same time on Friday, January 2nd, and the third episode will be shown on Saturday, January 3rd at 7.45pm.

Fans can also anticipate The Traitors: Uncloaked podcast, once again hosted by Ed Gamble. It will start on BBC Two following the main series on January 1st, at 9.05pm.

The programme will then transition to BBC One for the remaining episodes of the 12-part series.

The Traitors starts on New Year’s Day at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.