Celebrity Traitors Series 2: Cast, Date and Latest News

Celebrity Traitors series 2 will begin on Thursday 1 October 2026, bringing Claudia Winkleman and 21 famous contestants back to Ardross Castle for another high-profile battle between the Faithful and the Traitors.

The opening episode will air at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with an extended launch designed to introduce the entire cast and reveal which celebrities Claudia has selected as her first Traitors. The new series will contain ten episodes, one more than the celebrity edition shown in 2025.

This year’s cast includes major actors, comedians, broadcasters, musicians and online personalities. Michael Sheen, Bella Ramsey, Miranda Hart, Maya Jama, Richard E. Grant, James Acaster and Ross Kemp are among the stars preparing to accuse, deceive and banish one another.

The full schedule has not yet been published, although episodes are expected to continue across Thursday and Friday evenings. The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked will also return with Ed Gamble offering post-show analysis and interviews with banished and “murdered” contestants.

Here is everything confirmed about Celebrity Traitors series 2, followed by our early assessment of the contestants most likely to succeed as Faithfuls or Traitors.

Celebrity Traitors series 2 cast with Claudia Winkleman

When Does Celebrity Traitors Series 2 Start?

Celebrity Traitors series 2 starts on Thursday 1 October 2026 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The opening instalment will be longer than a standard episode, giving viewers time to meet the 21 contestants before the first game begins. Claudia Winkleman must then secretly select the Traitors who will meet after dark and decide which Faithful should be removed from the game.

MarkMeets can exclusively confirme an extended launch and a ten-episode run. The complete broadcast schedule is still awaited, so viewers should check BBC listings nearer transmission.

The official launch follows confusion caused by Richard Osman, who appeared to suggest during a live podcast that the series would begin on 23 September. That date was subsequently dismissed, with 1 October now confirmed as the correct premiere.

Anyone looking for more British television announcements can also browse the latest TV news and features on MarkMeets.

Celebrity Traitors Series 2 at a Glance

Start date: Thursday 1 October 2026
Start time: 8pm
Channel: BBC One
Streaming: BBC iPlayer
Presenter: Claudia Winkleman
Number of contestants: 21
Number of episodes: 10
Location: Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands
Prize: Up to £100,000 for charity
Companion programme: The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked
Uncloaked presenter: Ed Gamble
Traitors: Not revealed before transmission

Who Is in the Celebrity Traitors Series 2 Cast?

The Celebrity Traitors series 2 cast contains 21 contestants from television, film, comedy, music, journalism and social media.

The line-up was confirmed in May 2026, ending months of speculation about which famous faces had agreed to enter the castle. It includes established performers who are used to working from scripts, broadcasters trained to ask difficult questions and comedians who may use humour to conceal what they are really thinking.

We can confirm the following contestants:

Amol Rajan
Bella Ramsey
Hannah Fry
James Acaster
James Blunt
Jerry Hall
Joanne McNally
Joe Lycett
Julie Hesmondhalgh
King Kenny
Leigh-Anne Pinnock
Maya Jama
Michael Sheen
Miranda Hart
Myha’la
Richard E. Grant
Rob Beckett
Romesh Ranganathan
Ross Kemp
Sebastian Croft
Sharon Rooney

The selection feels deliberately difficult to read. Several actors could convincingly perform innocence, while the comedians may hide serious tactical thinking behind jokes. There are also existing friendships that could provide support or become an immediate source of suspicion.

Meet the Celebrity Traitors Series 2 Contestants

Amol Rajan

Journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan presents BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and University Challenge. His interviewing experience may help him identify hesitation, inconsistency and carefully avoided questions.

However, a reputation for asking direct questions could also make him an early target. Traitors frequently remove contestants who can guide a Round Table discussion or persuade others to reconsider their assumptions.

Amol could be a strong Faithful if he listens as carefully as he speaks. As a Traitor, his experience remaining calm during interviews could make him difficult to expose.

Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey is known for acting roles in Game of Thrones and The Last of Us. They may enter the castle with other contestants already aware of their ability to deliver emotionally demanding performances.

That acting experience could make Bella an interesting Traitor, but it may also create unfair suspicion. Faithfuls often treat professional performers as natural deceivers despite having no evidence against them.

Bella’s age could initially cause older contestants to underestimate them. Remaining quiet during the earliest Round Tables might provide enough time to understand the group before taking a stronger position.

Hannah Fry

Mathematician and broadcaster Professor Hannah Fry appears ideally suited to a game involving probability, patterns and incomplete information. She is likely to understand that confidence and accuracy are not the same thing.

The difficulty is that The Traitors cannot be solved through mathematics alone. Contestants make emotional decisions, alter their behaviour under pressure and frequently vote based on personal trust.

Hannah could become one of the strongest players in Celebrity Traitors series 2, but displaying too much intelligence too soon would place her in danger of being “murdered”.

James Acaster

James Acaster’s unpredictable comic style makes him one of the hardest contestants to assess before the series begins. He can appear awkward, distracted or unusually serious without revealing what he is actually thinking.

As a Faithful, James may notice behaviour that other contestants dismiss. As a Traitor, he could explain unusual reactions as part of his established personality.

The greater risk is that his humour may irritate nervous contestants at the Round Table. Once a group decides somebody is behaving strangely, almost anything can be presented as proof.

James Blunt

James Blunt has built a second public identity through dry social-media responses and a willingness to make jokes about himself. That sense of humour may help him avoid appearing defensive when accusations begin.

He also has a military background, which could prove useful during physical missions and moments requiring calm decision-making.

James may be more observant than fellow contestants expect. His best strategy would be to avoid becoming the loudest detective while quietly building relationships across the group.

Jerry Hall

Model and actor Jerry Hall brings decades of experience around celebrity culture, media attention and strong personalities. She may be comfortable allowing more vocal players to underestimate her.

Older contestants have often performed well in social deduction games because they are viewed as reassuring figures rather than immediate threats. That position can provide access to conversations taking place across several friendship groups.

Jerry could become an influential Faithful without needing to dominate the Round Table. She would also be an unexpected and potentially effective choice as a Traitor.

Joanne McNally

Irish comedian Joanne McNally is quick, direct and rarely short of an opinion. That could make her one of the most entertaining contributors to the group discussions.

Her ability to turn an uncomfortable exchange into comedy may protect her, but it could also make it difficult for other players to tell when she is being sincere.

Joanne’s greatest challenge may be controlling her response when somebody makes an accusation she considers ridiculous. Visible frustration has ended the game for many innocent Faithfuls.

Joe Lycett

Joe Lycett has built television programmes and public stunts around misdirection, commitment to a joke and carefully withheld information. On paper, that makes him an obvious candidate to become a Traitor.

Being an obvious choice can occasionally provide protection. Contestants may decide Claudia would never select somebody whose casting appears so predictable.

Joe could also use humour to test other players without making his questioning feel aggressive. If he survives the first few episodes, he may become one of the central figures in Celebrity Traitors series 2.

Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie Hesmondhalgh is best known to many viewers for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, although her career also includes extensive stage and television work.

She may be able to form trusted relationships quickly, which is often more valuable than identifying a Traitor correctly. Players rarely reach the end alone; they need people willing to defend them when their name enters the discussion.

Julie could become the emotional centre of the group. That would make her useful to the Traitors but dangerous enough to remove once her influence becomes clear.

King Kenny

King Kenny introduces a different type of experience to the castle. As a social-media personality, he understands audience attention, performance and the need to react quickly in unscripted situations.

Some older contestants may be less familiar with his work, allowing him to enter without the assumptions attached to more established television names.

He could perform well in missions and bring energy to the group. To survive the Round Table, he will need to show that enthusiasm without appearing desperate to control the conversation.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock

As a member of Little Mix, Leigh-Anne Pinnock understands the pressures of public scrutiny and working within a group containing several strong personalities.

That experience may help her identify shifting alliances and recognise when a friendly conversation has another purpose. She is also likely to enter with a strong social presence, which could make her easy to trust.

The official first-look footage has already encouraged online theories about Leigh-Anne’s role, but trailers are edited to create questions rather than reveal outcomes. Nothing has confirmed whether she is a Faithful or Traitor.

Maya Jama

Maya Jama’s presenting career requires her to connect quickly with strangers, manage unpredictable conversations and remain relaxed while other people are under pressure.

Those qualities could make her an excellent social player. She may find it easier than most to move between groups without making those interactions look tactical.

Maya is also one of the most recognisable members of the cast, which guarantees attention from the moment she arrives. If selected as a Traitor, she would need to avoid appearing too comfortable at the centre of the group.

Michael Sheen

Michael Sheen may be the contestant other players most expect Claudia to select as a Traitor. His acting career, intelligence and ability to command a room make him appear almost too suitable.

The programme could use that expectation against the cast by making him a Faithful. He would then face the difficult task of proving innocence in a game where proof rarely exists.

Michael could become a force at the Round Table, but that visibility would carry a cost. Whether Faithful or Traitor, he is unlikely to pass unnoticed for long.

Miranda Hart

Miranda Hart is associated with warmth, physical comedy and an ability to make embarrassment funny. Those qualities may encourage other contestants to trust her very quickly.

A friendly image can be powerful inside the castle. Players repeatedly confuse liking somebody with knowing that they are Faithful.

Miranda could therefore make a surprisingly effective Traitor. As a Faithful, her challenge would be separating instinct from personal affection when voting against people she has grown close to.

Myha’la

Myha’la is known for playing Harper Stern in Industry, a character experienced in ambition, pressure and workplace manipulation. Fellow contestants may allow that fictional role to influence their assumptions about her.

As one of the younger members of the line-up, she could remain outside the first wave of leadership battles. That would give her time to observe how alliances form.

Myha’la looks like a strong candidate to progress quietly before becoming more influential later in Celebrity Traitors series 2.

Richard E. Grant

Richard E. Grant brings acting experience, theatrical energy and an expressive personality to the castle. He is unlikely to disappear into the background.

Expressiveness can create problems in a format where every facial movement is treated as evidence. A surprised look may be called false, while a calm response can be labelled rehearsed.

Richard could succeed by embracing his natural personality rather than trying to appear neutral. If every response is energetic, the group may struggle to identify when something has genuinely changed.

Rob Beckett

Rob Beckett arrives with an existing friendship and working relationship with Romesh Ranganathan. Their connection will be noticed immediately by the other contestants.

A trusted friend can provide protection, but pairs are often viewed as a voting bloc. If one begins attracting suspicion, the other may be accused of defending them too strongly.

Claudia could create an early test by selecting one as a Traitor and leaving the other Faithful. Even if that does not happen, other players are likely to spend time wondering whether it has.

Romesh Ranganathan

Romesh Ranganathan’s dry delivery may make his reactions difficult to interpret. He can sound doubtful even when making an ordinary observation, which could work in his favour.

Like Rob, he must decide whether their friendship is an asset or a danger. Openly working together could place a target on both men, while deliberate distance may appear equally suspicious.

Romesh could make an effective Traitor because he would be unlikely to oversell innocence. He may also prove to be a very sceptical Faithful who refuses to follow a weak theory simply because it has become popular.

Ross Kemp

Ross Kemp has investigated criminal organisations, conflict zones and dangerous situations in his documentary career. Many viewers will immediately expect him to become the castle’s leading detective.

That reputation may be more burden than advantage. The social clues inside The Traitors bear little resemblance to evidence gathered during a real investigation.

Ross could still be highly effective if he avoids treating every conversation as an interrogation. His ability to remain calm under pressure should help during missions, but Traitors may consider him too dangerous to keep.

Sebastian Croft

Actor Sebastian Croft is known for roles including Ben Hope in Heartstopper. His relative youth and quieter public profile may allow him to begin the game without becoming an immediate target.

Young contestants can be overlooked when more established names compete to lead the discussion. That can create an excellent position from which to observe the group.

Sebastian’s acting background will attract some suspicion, but almost half the cast has performance experience. He may therefore avoid the automatic “actor equals Traitor” argument.

Sharon Rooney

Scottish actor Sharon Rooney is known for My Mad Fat Diary, Barbie and numerous television roles. Her humour and openness could help her establish strong relationships early.

Being Scottish will not provide any special knowledge of the castle, but it may help her feel at home amid the Highlands setting.

Sharon appears capable of becoming the player others approach when they want an honest conversation. That influence could carry her far—or persuade the Traitors to remove her before she connects too many people.

Who Are the Traitors in Celebrity Traitors Series 2?

The identities of the Celebrity Traitors series 2 Traitors have not been officially revealed. Viewers will discover Claudia Winkleman’s choices during the launch episode on 1 October.

Any claims currently circulating online should therefore be treated as theories unless they come from footage broadcast by the BBC. Promotional trailers can highlight a suspicious expression or private conversation without revealing its real context.

Michael Sheen, Joe Lycett, Miranda Hart, Maya Jama and Romesh Ranganathan all appear well suited to the role, but selecting the most obvious candidates could make the game too easy for the Faithful.

An unexpected combination would create more uncertainty. Jerry Hall, Sebastian Croft or Julie Hesmondhalgh could benefit from being viewed as reassuring, while a more obvious personality attracts the earliest accusations.

Our Early Celebrity Traitors Series 2 Predictions

Best Potential Faithful: Hannah Fry

Hannah Fry may be the strongest potential Faithful because she understands probability and how people misread patterns. If she avoids becoming overconfident, she could identify gaps in the arguments made at the Round Table.

Best Potential Traitor: Joe Lycett

Joe Lycett’s public persona is built partly around misdirection and committing fully to unusual situations. The difficulty would be surviving the assumption that Claudia must have selected him.

Most Likely to Lead the Round Table: Amol Rajan

Amol Rajan has the questioning skills required to organise a discussion. He will need to avoid becoming so influential that the Traitors decide to remove him.

Most Likely to Be Wrongly Accused: Richard E. Grant

Richard E. Grant’s expressive reactions may be interpreted as theatrical or nervous. Faithfuls regularly convert a personality difference into supposed evidence.

Strongest Social Player: Maya Jama

Maya Jama should be able to build relationships across different parts of the group. If she controls how visible that influence becomes, she could reach the later stages.

Most Dangerous Existing Partnership: Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan

Rob and Romesh know each other well enough to detect small changes in behaviour. That could help expose a Traitor, but it could also make one man reluctant to accept the truth about the other.

What Is Different About Celebrity Traitors Series 2?

The clearest change is the episode count. Celebrity Traitors series 2 will run for ten episodes rather than the nine shown during the first celebrity series.

The cast has also increased from 19 contestants to 21, creating more possible alliances and giving Claudia greater freedom when selecting the original Traitors.

Series two contains fewer sports stars than its predecessor, which featured names including Tom Daley, Clare Balding and Joe Marler. The 2026 line-up leans more heavily towards actors, comedians and broadcasters.

That could alter the atmosphere at the Round Table. Professional performers may be more comfortable with attention, while comedians are likely to challenge each other’s statements without every exchange becoming openly hostile.

The format itself remains familiar. The Faithful must identify and banish the Traitors, while the Traitors secretly “murder” another contestant after each day’s events. Money earned during missions contributes to a charity prize worth up to £100,000.

Why Celebrity Traitors Series 2 Has So Much to Live Up To

The first celebrity series became one of the BBC’s biggest television events of 2025. Alan Carr won after successfully concealing his Traitor status, despite frequently appearing close to exposure.

Its finale became the most-watched UK television broadcast of that year, with consolidated viewing reportedly reaching 15.4 million. The success proved that using famous contestants did not remove the tension that made the civilian version popular.

Celebrities arrive with existing public identities, which gives viewers and other contestants assumptions to test. A comedian may be expected to lie well, while a journalist may be treated as naturally suspicious. Those expectations can be useful, but they can also lead the Faithful in completely the wrong direction.

The second series must avoid simply repeating the first. Increasing the cast and adding an episode should give the alliances more time to change, particularly if the earliest Traitors survive long enough to recruit.

Will Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked Return?

Yes. Ed Gamble will return to present The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked, which will follow the main programme and provide reactions from eliminated contestants.

The companion show gives players their first opportunity to discover which suspicions were correct. Faithfuls can also watch footage showing how the Traitors manipulated them before discussing the experience with Ed.

A video podcast version will be available through BBC platforms, allowing viewers to continue the discussion after each episode. Exact scheduling information should be confirmed alongside the main programme’s complete listings.

Where Is Celebrity Traitors Series 2 Filmed?

Celebrity Traitors series 2 was filmed at Ardross Castle near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The 19th-century property also provides the setting for the civilian UK series and other international versions of the format. Contestants gather inside for breakfast and the Round Table, while missions take place across surrounding Highland locations.

The celebrities do not sleep inside the castle. As with other versions of the programme, accommodation is provided elsewhere and transport arrangements are controlled to prevent contestants from sharing information outside filmed periods.

Filming for the second celebrity series took place earlier in 2026. The programme was completed before its October broadcast, meaning the winner and identities of the Traitors are already known to the production team and contestants.

Frequently Asked Questions About Celebrity Traitors Series 2

When does Celebrity Traitors series 2 begin?

Celebrity Traitors series 2 begins on Thursday 1 October 2026 at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

How many episodes are in Celebrity Traitors series 2?

There will be ten episodes, making the second series one episode longer than the first celebrity edition.

Who presents Celebrity Traitors series 2?

Claudia Winkleman returns as presenter. She will select the Traitors, explain the missions and oversee the Round Table banishments.

How many celebrities are taking part?

The new cast contains 21 celebrity contestants, including Michael Sheen, Bella Ramsey, Miranda Hart, Maya Jama, Ross Kemp and James Acaster.

Who are the Celebrity Traitors series 2 Traitors?

The Traitors have not been revealed before transmission. Their identities will be shown to viewers during the launch episode, while the Faithful contestants will have to uncover them through the game.

What does the winner receive?

The celebrities are competing for a prize pot worth up to £100,000, which will be awarded to charity rather than kept as personal winnings.

Where can I watch Celebrity Traitors series 2?

Episodes will be broadcast on BBC One and available through BBC iPlayer. The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked will provide additional interviews and discussion.

Where is the programme filmed?

The series is filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, the same location used for the main UK edition of The Traitors.

Did Richard Osman reveal the wrong start date?

Richard Osman appeared to mention 23 September during a live podcast, but that date did not become the official launch. The BBC has since confirmed Thursday 1 October.

Who won the first Celebrity Traitors?

Alan Carr won the first celebrity series as a Traitor after reaching the final and avoiding banishment.

Celebrity Traitors Series 2 Could Be the BBC’s Biggest Autumn Show

Celebrity Traitors series 2 has everything needed to become another major television event: a high-profile cast, existing friendships, several likely strategists and enough professional actors to make every denial difficult to trust.

The increased episode count should give the game more room to develop, while the mix of ages and careers makes it difficult to identify one obvious favourite. Hannah Fry may bring logic, Ross Kemp has investigative experience and Amol Rajan knows how to question people, but none of those skills guarantees success inside the castle.

Social trust usually matters more than being correct. A Faithful who identifies every Traitor but cannot persuade the group will still be banished or murdered. A Traitor who lies imperfectly may survive if the right people continue defending them.

The game begins on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm on Thursday 1 October 2026. Until Claudia makes her selection, every member of the Celebrity Traitors series 2 cast remains under suspicion.

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William Baldwin: William Baldwin brings a seamlessly blends financial insight with captivating storytelling. As a freelance writer for Forbes.com and MarkMeets.com, continues to elevate the narrative, providing readers with unparalleled perspectives on the intersection of business and entertainment.