We’re now into the second half of this year’s series of The Traitors – and with the prize pot building up nicely, the Faithfuls are doing everything they can to catch the Traitors.
Wednesday (14 January) night’s episode saw Harriet spectacularly confront Rachel, not once, but twice. The secret barrister left the Traitor shaking as she revealed her suspicions during their conversation in the confessional.
Harriet then launched an explosive attack at breakfast, where she also revealed her previous job and the fact that she’s written best-selling crime books. However, just as Fiona did before her, Harriet went a little too strong and later found herself in the firing line - and ultimately, banished at the round table. Fans are now speculating whether she appeared on the show to boost her book sales, which have risen by 95 per cent since the series started.
The action-packed episode also saw Matthew receive a response from the Traitors after making them an unusual offer. And elsewhere, a tense challenge saw seven of the remaining 12 Faithfuls win shields, with Rachel and Stephen being left in the dark on exactly who had them.
The Traitors continues on Thursday (15 January) night at 8pm.
Follow along below for live updates…
The Traitors
- Harriet's 'real motive' for being on The Traitors
- Harriet labelled 'best Traitor ever' as she confronts Rachel
- Who will be murdered next?
Claudia Winkleman praised for off-screen behaviour
11:00 , Jacob StolworthyShe’s an outlier when it comes to other game show presenters, according to a past Traitors contestant.
Traitors star reveals Claudia Winkleman’s true off-camera personality
Harriet's 'real motive' for appearing on The Traitors
10:00 , Jacob StolworthyIn the latest episode, Harriet proudly declared to her fellow contestants not once, but twice, that she was a bestselling author of crime fiction.
After bowing out in a self-sacrificial banishment, it’s now being speculated that she went on the show to promote her novels.
If that was the case, it’s worked: her book sales have increased by 95 per cent – and she has another one due out in two months.
Re-live Harriet's banishment
09:30 , Jacob StolworthyHarriet decided, out of nowhere, to throw herself on her own grenade for reasons I still can’t quite discern. She urged people who weren’t going to vote for her to write her name down. But hey, it made for great TV.
Fireworks at breakfast
09:00 , Jacob StolworthyRachel hadn’t even had a cuppa before Harriet went for her, and then Roxy, at breakfast. It had shades of the Tom/Alex relationship reveal in series one.
The real big questions after last night's episode
09:00 , Jacob StolworthySome people aren’t buying Rachel’s big revelation.
How does this even happen? Do you go on a course and if so for what? Do you get a private tutor who comes to you? Is it online, is the FBI agent from AMERICA? Is there role play, do you get a certificate and what are you PAYING for this? No. I don’t buy it. #TheTraitorsUK pic.twitter.com/xQQ1RhoQnV
— Vit (@vitt2tsnoc) January 15, 2026
Harriet explains why she went rogue
08:30 , Jacob StolworthyBy Harriet’s own admission, her sacrificial banishment was a reckless move but stemmed from wanting to make an impact on the game.
“I think it was my moment to depart – and I did it on my own terms,” she said on Uncloaked. You can say that again!
Recapping last night's drama
08:30 , Jacob Stolworthy- Harriet has been banished. She threw herself under the bus to prove her own theory about Rachel. But it seems the Faithfuls are ignoring her and are now targeting two other names she threw in at the last minute: Roxy and Matthew.
- Stephen and Rachel have decided to murder and whittled it down to three options: Adam, Jessie and James. The only problem is, two of those people (Jessie and James) have shields so the murder might backfire...
It was a doozy!
Best comeback in Traitors history?
08:01 , Jacob StolworthyStephen appeared to be toast at the start of last week – and how the tables have turned. He’s gone from a rank outsider to favourite, admittedly thanks to some rather bizarre behaviour from Fiona, which he’s used to his advantage.
I can’t recall a better turnaround in Traitors history.
stephen is an absolute sweetheart and i’m so happy that his game has taken a turn for the better. what a power move from him #thetraitors #thetraitorsuk pic.twitter.com/tpjzkvVnXV
— beth ✨ (@raggedydocs) January 9, 2026
'The one problem with this year's series'
03:00 , Rachel McGrathOur reporter Katie Rosseinsky is loving the show (aren’t we all?) but she has spotted one issue with the series. And I have to say, I agree...
Matt, Sam, who? The Traitors’ ‘man-merge’ is the real problem with the latest series
Fans are loving Harriet...
02:00 , Rachel McGrathWhat an episode for her, eh? Talk about going out with a bang.
Harriet going from the best faithful we've ever seen to an unhinged woman shouting at her own shadow in the space of sixty minutes. I love this show #thetraitors pic.twitter.com/kdz0aiCq4k
— SHANE REACTION (@imshanereaction) January 14, 2026
Harriet before breakfast #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/SYUxuru9eN
— JHenderson (@j_henderson__) January 14, 2026
oh HARRIET!!! i was unaware of your game 🙂↕️ #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/dS4SjaDMaW
— ells (@ysuftozer) January 14, 2026
Harriet at breakfast... 😱😱 #TheTraitors pic.twitter.com/8deZXc4rpC
— James Westwood (@JamesCWestwood) January 14, 2026
The Traitors' bleakly predictable pattern
01:00 , Rachel McGrath“The Traitors is a fantastic show precisely because it sheds light on the relatable dynamics that tend to crop up if you put together any random group of people,” writes our columnist Micha Frazer-Carroll.
“Just as we relish in this part of the show, we should also be open to the reality that everyday biases likely swirl in its undercurrent.”
Read the full article here...
People of colour keep leaving Traitors early. We need to talk about why
Steal Claudia's style
00:01 , Rachel McGrathThe shopping experts on our IndyBest team have got you covered!
Claudia Winkleman just wore these custom Traitors loafers – here’s where to shop
Watch: Harriet discovers if she was right
Wednesday 14 January 2026 23:30 , Rachel McGrathIt’s safe to say, Harriet knew Rachel was a Traitor - and she was understandably delighted to be find out she was spot on.
Watch the moment Harriet discovers whether her shock Traitors sacrifice was worth it
Harriet banished after urging Faithfuls to call her bluff
Wednesday 14 January 2026 23:01 , Rachel McGrathThe not-so-secret barrister threw herself under the bus to prove her own theory.
What a move. Although it doesn’t look like it’s paid off?
Rachel’s FBI training! This may be the best hour of television I have ever seen.
Stephen has gone past the point of being shocked and simply glazed over. Is he OK?
I love this for Stephen, though.
You silly silly boy x #TheTraitors #TheTraitorsUK pic.twitter.com/mzTlW1ombv
— lencrandle (@lencrandle) January 14, 2026
Not the slow clap at Roxy! Harriet!! I am stunned.
This is what I pay the licence fee for.
The real problem with this series
Wednesday 14 January 2026 18:00 , Rachel McGrathDon’t get me wrong, I am loving the drama of the current series and would give it five out of five stars.
But I 100% agree with our lifestyle and culture writer Katie Rosseinsky on this one...
Matt, Sam, who? The Traitor’s ‘man-merge’ is the real problem with the latest series
Amanda reveals show may have saved her life
Wednesday 14 January 2026 17:30 , Rachel McGrathBanished copper Amanda has been giving interviews since leaving the castle - and in one of her chats, she revealed how The Traitors may have saved her life...
The Traitors medical check-up revealed serious heart disease, says contestant Amanda
Why Claudia Winkleman is at the riskiest point in her career
Wednesday 14 January 2026 17:00 , Rachel McGrathClaudia might have us all eating out of the palm of her knitted glove-clad hand right now, but The Independent’s Helen Coffey thinks The Traitors presenter is at the most precarious point of her professional life. Here’s why...
Why Claudia Winkleman is at the riskiest point of her career
