Peacock’s popular reality competition series, The Traitors, has returned for its fourth season, featuring a star-studded cast and the charismatic Alan Cumming as host. The first three episodes of the season dropped on January 12, 2026, thrilling fans with their blend of strategy, deception, and high-stakes gameplay. Contestants must identify who among them is a Traitor while forming alliances to secure their place in the game, with the ultimate prize being $250,000.
Season 4 Kicks Off with New Twists
Episode 1, titled “Let the Cards Fall As They Will,” set a dramatic tone as 23 contestants arrived at the picturesque castle in the Scottish Highlands. They were greeted by Cumming, who revealed a significant twist: he had secretly selected the first Traitor before the cast even entered the castle. This Traitor’s identity would remain hidden not only from the contestants but also from the audience.
Cumming subsequently selected two more Traitors during a roundtable meeting, ultimately choosing Candiace Dillard Bassett, Lisa Rinna, and Rob Rausch. As the episode progressed, the three Traitors convened privately to discuss their strategy, while the identity of the initial secret Traitor remained undisclosed. Tensions rose during the first challenge, where losing team members faced elimination. The secret Traitor ultimately selected Rob R., Ian Terry, Mark Ballas, and Eric Nam as potential candidates for “murder” from the game.
Strategic Moves and Unexpected Eliminations
The second episode, “The Death Conga,” opened with the Traitors deciding whom to eliminate based on the secret Traitor’s shortlist. They ultimately targeted Ian Terry, a well-known competitor from Big Brother, due to his sharp strategic mind. Following this intense decision, the cast engaged in a mission to locate “shield tokens” while navigating to a “shield throne.” The three contestants who lasted the longest on the throne—Colton Underwood, Yam Yam Arocho, and Caroline Stanbury—were spared from elimination.
As the group prepared for the roundtable vote later that evening, discussions swirled around potential Traitors, with Michael Rapaport frequently mentioned due to his boisterous personality. Ultimately, the cast voted to eliminate Porsha Williams, a decision influenced by miscommunication. Unbeknownst to them, Porsha was a Faithful, not a Traitor, which added to the game’s mounting tension.
Episode 3, “Show Me Your Faces,” opened with the cast reacting to the shocking elimination of Rob Cesternino, who was murdered in plain sight as part of a strategic move by the Traitors. Following this revelation, the cast faced another roundtable banishment, leading to heated debates, particularly between Rapaport and Yam Yam. The group eventually targeted Donna Kelce, believing her to be a Traitor. In a twist of fate, Donna confessed to her role, confirming that she was indeed the secret Traitor from the season’s start.
With Donna’s departure, the dynamics of the game shifted dramatically. The remaining contestants prepared for their next mission, which required them to pair up while one individual was left isolated. This strategic setup increased the stakes as the cast members worked against the clock to unlock cages by stacking animal skulls. Those left locked up at the mission’s end were placed on the shortlist for elimination, adding further urgency to their actions.
The upcoming episode is set to air on January 15, 2026, promising more intrigue and unexpected developments as the season unfolds. With alliances forming and suspicions running high, The Traitors continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of strategy and social dynamics, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating each twist and turn.
