The Traitors series 2 confirmed with Claudia Winkleman to return as host

Virgin Radio

27 Feb 2023, 10:11

The BBC is staying Faithful to The Traitors by renewing the hugely popular show for a second run. 

After bagging 34 million viewers and becoming the broadcaster’s biggest entertainment launch in two years, The Traitors will return for another series, with Claudia Winkleman (and her high-neck jumpers) back at the helm as the host. 

The Traitors sees 22 strangers play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust, in the hope of winning up to £120,000.

Speaking in a statement about the exciting Traitors news, host Claudia 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.”

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, added: “Last year’s ambitious and bingeable 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 the Faithfuls.”

If you fancy your chances as a Faithful or a Traitor, the applications for series two are also open via the BBC’s Take Part website. 

It’s not yet known when series two of The Traitors will air, but both the UK and US versions are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. 

During the 2022 debut, the battle between Faithfuls and Traitors, which took place at Ardross Castle in Scotland, came to an end when Aaron Evans, Meryl Williams and Hannah Byczkowski survived to win the £101,050 jackpot. 

Following The Faithful’s victory, winner Aaron told the BBC: “It still hasn’t sunk in yet, but when I go back home and get back to normal it will probably sink in.”

On what the best thing about being on the show was, the contestant said: “Claudia Winkleman!!! Auntie Claude! She was always so fun to be around and always spurred us on to do the best that we possibly could. She kind of took a shine to us all!” 

The Traitors certainly had a vice-like grip on audiences during its 2022 run, and it helped spin off a US version with stars from across reality TV.

The first series of The Traitors and The Traitors US are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.