Fans of reality TV and celebrity-packed competition shows finally got their first glimpse of Celebrity Traitors this Monday, and the excitement is palpable.
The newly released trailer teases a series packed with tension, strategy, and drama as 19 famous faces arrive at the iconic Ardross Castle to play a high-stakes game of detection and deception, all for a chance to win up to £100,000 for their chosen charities.
The teaser sets the scene immediately, showing stars being whisked from their cars by mysterious hooded figures, struggling with padlocks, and even trapped inside coffins.
It’s clear from the outset that this isn’t the typical celebrity experience—here, fame and fortune won’t offer any advantages.
Star-Studded Lineup Includes Comedy, Sport, and History Icons
The series boasts an impressive roster, including Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie, Tom Daley, Jonathan Ross, Ruth Codd, Paloma Faith, Charlotte Church, and Clare Balding, among others.
The trailer opens with Alan Carr questioning his own motives: “Maybe I have got a dark side.”
Stephen Fry similarly wonders aloud: “I don’t know what beasts lie within me.”
Other contestants are equally determined. Celia Imrie confidently declares: “I’m here to win,” while Olympic diver Tom Daley warns: “I’m going to fight to the death.”
Even seasoned stars are visibly tense as they arrive at the castle and approach the famous round table, sizing each other up in suspicion.
Challenges, Alliances, and the Secret Traitors
The trailer also hints at gruelling challenges designed to test the contestants’ teamwork and endurance.
One sequence shows the stars dragging a large wooden structure under Claudia Winkleman’s watchful eye, with encouragement and warning mixed in.
Contestants must work together to add money to the prize pot while keeping an eye on potential Traitors in their midst.
Meanwhile, secret meetings in the turret reveal where the Traitors decide who to “eliminate” without being detected by the Faithful.
Claudia’s ominous words, “Go forth and murder,” set the tone for the game’s sinister undercurrent.
Even veteran viewers of Traitors might be surprised by unexpected twists, as Paloma Faith reacts in shock to a reveal by historian David Olusoga.
Claudia Winkleman Sets the Rules
As the group marvels at the castle, Claudia reminds the celebrities that their fame is irrelevant here: “Players, welcome to the Highlands.
Now I know out in the real world you’re very important and successful. But here, there is no special treatment.”
She clearly lays out the game: “Traitors, remain undetected and murder the Faithful. Faithful, you must hunt down the Traitors.”
The trailer closes with the contestants removing blindfolds at the roundtable, signaling the start of the high-stakes game: “I have selected my Traitors. Tomorrow, the killing spree begins…”
Show Launch Details and Viewing Schedule
Celebrity Traitors will premiere on Wednesday 8 October at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer, kicking off with a 70-minute opening episode.
The series will continue to air over two nights each week, on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 9pm.
Behind the Scenes: WhatsApp Groups and Celebrity Reactions
Actor Mark Bonnar has shared insights into the filming experience, revealing that the cast stayed connected via a group WhatsApp chat during the shoot.
“It’s so intense—you have no phone, so all you think about is the show,” he told The Sunday Times.
“Stephen Fry has been omnipresent in my life—I watched Blackadder growing up—and it’s mad being in a Traitors WhatsApp group with him and Jonathan Ross.”
Stephen Fry described his experience on the show as “emotionally violent, like a Chinese foot massage.
Absolutely agony but you sort of want to do it again.”
He praised the clever psychological twists of the game while keeping the details of his role—Faithful or Traitor—under wraps.
Celebrity Salaries and Comparisons
Fans may also be surprised to learn that each celebrity received a flat £40,000 fee for appearing on the show, according to journalist Marina Hyde.
Discussing this on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Hyde compared the payment model to other reality shows, noting that the celebrity cast is collectively overpaid in entertainment terms but fairly compensated for their participation.
Meet the Celebrity Cast
The lineup features a mix of presenters, actors, musicians, athletes, and influencers:
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Kate Garraway, 57, Good Morning Britain host
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Stephen Fry, 67, actor, author, broadcaster
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Alan Carr, 48, comedian and TV host
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Paloma Faith, 43, singer and actress
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Charlotte Church, 39, singer
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Tom Daley, 39, Olympic diver
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Jonathan Ross, 64, TV and radio presenter
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Tameka Empson, 48, EastEnders actress
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Cat Burns, 24, singer
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Nick Mohammed, 44, comedian and Ted Lasso star
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Clare Balding, 54, broadcaster and journalist
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Joe Wilkinson, 49, comedian and actor
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Celia Imrie, 72, actress
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Lucy Beaumont, 41, comedian
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David Olusoga, 55, historian and broadcaster
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Ruth Codd, 28, actress
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Mark Bonnar, 56, actor
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Niko Omilana, 27, YouTuber
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Joe Marler, 34, former England rugby player
With a blend of high-profile stars and rising talent, Celebrity Traitors promises a captivating mix of strategy, suspense, and celebrity drama.