The Traitors is set to return to television screens for a second series after the reality show proved a hit for BBC One.
The Claudia Winkleman-fronted show clocked 34 million views on BBC iPlayer last year, making it the broadcaster’s best-seen entertainment launch for two years.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, head of entertainment at the BBC, said: “Last year’s ambitious and binge-able hit The Traitors with Claudia Winkleman is coming back with the brilliant team at Studio Lambert set to bring viewers another magnificent series full of drama and suspense.
“We can certainly expect even more deceit and psychological games for the Traitors and Faithfuls.”
🏰 The Traitors series two is OFFICIALLY coming!
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) February 27, 2023
Think you could be the next Maddy Marple? Or go totally undetected in a glorious hooded cloak with @ClaudiaWinkle?
Find out more ➡️ https://t.co/AltcNCrXQ1 pic.twitter.com/a5vX2h9uxX
Twenty-two new contestants will enter the castle setting to play what is essentially an expanded version of the party game Mafia. The ‘Faithful’ contestants must work together to expose and eliminate the contestants known as ‘Traitors’, who are intent on ‘murdering’ the other players. There is £120,000 on offer to be split between the players on the winning team. The show is filmed in the Scottish Highlands.
Strictly Come Dancing presenter Winkleman became known for her choice of knitted outfits on the show.
"I can’t wait to go back to the castle to watch people play the greatest game on television,” she said. “I’m knitting a high funnel sweater immediately."
The series is based on the Dutch show De Verraders, which began in 2021. An American spin-off was released on Peacock in January this year.
The show ran over 12 weeks in the UK and was one of the most watched per night. It started with 3.88 million viewers and attracted 4.73 million by the finale. It was also earned largely positive reviews from TV critics.
Aaron Evans, Hannah Byczkowski and Meryl Williams were the winners of the 2022 show.
There has not yet been a release date for the second series.
