The Traitors UK season 2: BBC game show release date, cast with Claudia Winkleman as host, and castle location

The Traitors is returning for a second season on BBC One and iPlayer this week following its hugely successful first series in November 2022. The show, which sees a group of contestants split into Traitors and Faithfuls and compete in a series of tense challenges, was the most popular new entertainment programme on the BBC for the year.

It had an average viewership of more than 5 million per episode, and has been viewed more than 34 million times on iPlayer since its initial release, so there’s no surprise that the BBC was quick to confirm a second series.

How does The Traitors work?

22 contestants work together completing tasks which increases the value of their prize pot. However, the contestants include a number of secret Traitors who eliminate a Faithful player each night, whilst attempting to remain undetected themselves.

The following morning the players select a contestant they think is a Traitor and banish them - they will then find out if that person was a Faithful or a Traitor.

At the end of the game, if no Traitors remain in the group, then the Faithfuls will split the prize pot, but if one or more Traitors have survived, then they will take the prize.

Who is in the cast of The Traitors season 2?

Claudia Winkleman returns as host of The Traitors - ahead of filming the seasons series she said: “I can’t wait to go back to the castle to watch people play the greatest game on television. I’m knitting a high funnel sweater immediately.”

Winkleman is joined by 22 ordinary contestants who will compete to win a cash prize of up to £120,000. It has not yet been revealed which contestants are Faithfuls, and which, or how many, will be Traitors.

When is The Traitors season 2 on TV?

The second season will begin on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 9pm on Wednesday January 3. All episodes will be available on iPlayer after they have first aired.

This is the full release schedule for The Traitors season 2:

• Episode 1 - Wednesday January 3 - 9pm
• Episode 2 - Thursday January 4 - 9pm
• Episode 3 - Friday January 5 - 9pm
• Episode 4 - Wednesday January 10 - 9pm
• Episode 5 - Thursday January 11 - 9pm
• Episode 6 - Friday January 12 - 9pm
• Episode 7 - Wednesday January 17 - 9pm
• Episode 8 - Thursday January 18 - 9pm
• Episode 9 - Friday January 19 - 9pm
• Episode 10 - Wednesday January 24 - 9pm
• Episode 11 - Thursday January 25 - 9pm
• Episode 12 - Friday January 26 - 9pm

Where is the castle in The Traitors season 2?

Production returned to Ardross Castle in the Scottish highlands in September 2023 to film the second series. The first season was filmed at the location in May 2022.

The castle, which sits on a 100 acre estate, was originally a hunting lodge but transformed in the Baronial style in the 19th century.