The Traitors LIVE: Claudia Winkleman chooses initial Traitors as players taken on first mission

The BBC’s hit show is back on our screens tonight

First look at The Traitors contestants ahead of series two

The Traitors, the BBC’s hit reality show where deception and lying could win you big money, is back on our screens.

The Bafta-winning show returns tonight (3 January), with 22 new contestants setting up camp in a Scottish castle, where they’re secretly split into “Traitors” and “Faithfuls”.

The “Traitors” are aiming to get to the end of the game undetected, while the “Faithfuls” are trying to catch them. For those left standing at the end, there is their share of the up to £120,000 prize pot.

You can meet the class of 2024 – including an insurance broker, a photographer, and a clairvoyant – here.

Claudia Winkleman is back at the show’s helm, with the series two trailer promising an even more explosive second series.

Follow along for updates from tonight’s first episode...

Key points

• When is The Traitors series 2 on iPlayer?
• Meet the cast of The Traitors
• The first three Traitors have been chosen

[3 January 2024 21:10 · Isobel Lewis]

They’ve really upped the camp factor this year, haven’t they?

[3 January 2024 21:11 · Isobel Lewis]

Looks like people are playing along at home too:

[3 January 2024 21:13 · Isobel Lewis]

First twist of the series! Just like last year, the contestants have been asked to rank themselves based on how likely they are to win.

Remember, last year the two bottom players were immediately booted out at this point.

[3 January 2024 21:13 · Isobel Lewis]

“You think you know how this game works. You don’t.”

Anyone else got chills?

[3 January 2024 21:14 · Isobel Lewis]

But it’s a bluff! Nobody is sent packing and the players are sent inside to gawp over the interior design of the castle.

[3 January 2024 21:17 · Isobel Lewis]

Some big characters emerging already, and it’s time for the Claudia to quiz them about why they want the money. Who will be a Traitor?

[3 January 2024 21:19 · Isobel Lewis]

We’re at the round table, “the sacred place where Faithful and Traitors do battle”. There’s gonna be a lot of drama going down here in the coming weeks.

[3 January 2024 21:20 · Isobel Lewis]

Who will be chosen? Claudia’s going to walk around the room; whoever she taps on the shoulder, is a Traitor.

[3 January 2024 21:21 · Isobel Lewis]

Traitor number one chosen! It’s Paul, a 36-year-old business manager from Manchester.

[3 January 2024 21:22 · Isobel Lewis]

He’s followed by Ash, 45, an events co-ordinator from London.