The BBC has unveiled the eclectic mix of contestants set to enter the Scottish castle for the highly anticipated third series of its smash-hit reality show, The Traitors. Host Claudia Winkleman has already warned fans that the upcoming season is "brutal" and contains a brand new twist.
A Line-Up Skilled in Deception
The new cohort of 22 hopefuls, who will be divided into secret "traitors" and truth-seeking "faithfuls", boasts professional backgrounds uniquely suited to the game's core themes of lies and detection. The cast includes a retired police detective, a bestselling crime thriller writer, and a psychologist.
Amanda, 57, from Brighton, spent her career as a detective uncovering deceit. "I've done lots of interviews with criminals and victims," she said. "You have to put the pieces together to find the truth and see through the lies." She believes her experience in observing shady behaviour could make her a formidable traitor, requiring a good poker face and mastery of deflection.
Harriet Tyce, 52, a former criminal barrister turned author of novels like The Lies You Told, admits her day job has given her a useful skill set. "I spend my life making up horrible ways for people to die and killing people on the page," she said. Her plan, however, is to initially play down her cunning and "dial up" her role as a mother and housewife to avoid early suspicion.
The Psychological Edge
Ellie, 33, is thought to be the first psychologist to compete on the show. She aims to bring a "psychological perspective" to the tense roundtable discussions where players are voted out. She understands that survival isn't just about logic, but also about social bonds. "It's absolutely about trying to form bonds with people early on," she explained, noting she will also hide her profession to prevent others from making assumptions about her.
The diverse lineup also features a cybersecurity expert, a personal trainer, a sweet shop assistant, an outspoken builder, and a poker-playing gardener. They will all compete for the £120,000 prize fund through shared missions, nightly "murders," and the high-stakes task of identifying the deceivers.
When and Where to Watch
The new series of The Traitors will begin on New Year's Day, airing on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer. It follows the hugely successful celebrity edition which aired in October and November, which saw comedian Alan Carr secure an unexpected victory.
With Claudia Winkleman promising a "brutal" new twist and a cast expertly versed in crime, psychology, and deception, the third series is poised to deliver even more suspense, betrayal, and drama from within the castle walls.
