The second series of Celebrity Traitors launches with an expanded cast of 21 famous faces competing for a £100,000 charity prize. Among the contestants are actor Michael Sheen, broadcaster Maya Jama, musician James Blunt, singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, actor Richard E Grant, and Game of Thrones star Bella Ramsey, alongside comedians James Acaster, Joe Lycett and Romesh Ranganathan. The extended 75-minute premiere episode begins at 20:00 BST on Thursday 1 October, with Claudia Winkleman returning as host of the psychological competition filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
This year's series expands to 10 episodes, up from last year's run, reflecting the enormous viewership that made the first series the most-watched television programme of 2025 in the UK. The show will air twice weekly on Thursday and Friday evenings throughout its run.
What makes this year's cast special?
The 21 contestants represent a diverse mix of talent spanning television, film, radio and digital platforms. Beyond those already named, the full lineup includes journalist and broadcaster Amol Rajan, actor and author Miranda Hart, mathematician and broadcaster Professor Hannah Fry, actor and presenter Ross Kemp, musician and actor Sebastian Croft, and comedians Joanne McNally and Alan Carr's fellow entertainers. The complete cast also features Myha'la, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Rob Beckett and Sharon Rooney, bringing together personalities from entertainment's broadest spectrum.
Several contestants arrive with strategic advantages. Bella Ramsey has been playing versions of the deception game since childhood through drama clubs and home play. Mathematician Hannah Fry describes herself as "toxically competitive" and has already analysed statistical patterns from previous series. Singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock sought counsel from Cat Burns, who reached last year's final as a traitor, receiving advice that the round-table tensions, while intense, remain fundamentally a game.
How do the comedians view their chances?
The show's roster of comedians—including Romesh Ranganathan, James Acaster, Joe Lycett and Joanne McNally—recognise they may face early scrutiny. Ranganathan acknowledged that despite his friendship with fellow comic Rob Beckett, he would readily betray him if strategically advantageous. Acaster predicted that the comedians would be "the first ones under the magnifying glass being looked at" due to suspicions that one might be selected as a traitor.
What production changes have been made?
Executive producer Sarah Fay emphasised the team's commitment to evolving the format. "We're always trying to evolve existing ideas to bring them into a new life or coming up with different cultural references," she explained at the press launch. The production includes fresh task designs and cultural references while maintaining the show's signature elaborate challenges, including the opening mission filmed in a lake where contestants wear wetsuits.
Winkleman's wardrobe remains as distinctive as ever. She described this year's costume aesthetic as "human crow meets golf caddy meets the Artful Dodger," maintaining the visual distinctiveness that has become part of the show's identity.
How involved is the host in the production?
Winkleman revealed her intense engagement with the competition, spending hours monitoring footage from a control room filled with screens throughout filming. She admitted to remaining on set far longer than scheduled, telling producers "I am not leaving" and receiving barely any sleep during production. Ed Gamble, who hosts the spin-off show Uncloaked on BBC Two, watches similarly extensive footage daily, describing his viewing routine as "quite sad"—sitting in his pyjamas eating cereal while watching contestants do the same.
What was the impact of the first series?
The inaugural season achieved unprecedented television success. Comedian Alan Carr won the competition and secured £87,500 for his chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK. The first series finale drew an average audience of 11.1 million viewers, making it the biggest live audience of 2025 for any single television broadcast. That success directly influenced the decision to expand this year's series with additional episodes and a larger contestant pool.
Why is the Scottish location significant?
The series functions partly as a celebration of the Scottish Highlands, where it is filmed. Ardross Castle in Inverness serves as the setting where celebrities meet, dine and gather at the round table. Winkleman described the location as "the most beautiful place I've ever been in the world," with sweeping drone cinematography showcasing the landscape. She and her family plan to return to the Highlands for a holiday, despite her frequent visits during production.
Would Winkleman ever compete as a contestant?
When asked whether she might participate in a US or Australian version of the show, Winkleman declined with characteristic self-deprecation. "No, I'm too thick," she responded. "I mustn't play it in public. I must not. I'm just being honest—it's a privilege to play that game and to be at the round table, but I think I would just be too awful at it." Her comment reflects the psychological demands of the competition, which require both strategic thinking and emotional resilience.
What happens next?
The Celebrity Traitors series two begins on Thursday 1 October at 20:00 BST on BBC One. Episode two is scheduled for Friday 2 October 2026 at 20:00, with the series continuing to air on Thursday and Friday evenings. The expanded 10-episode run will unfold across five weeks of competition.
Key Facts
- The second series features 21 celebrities competing for a £100,000 charity prize, two more contestants than the first series
- The premiere is an extended 75-minute episode beginning at 20:00 BST on Thursday 1 October on BBC One
- The first series finale achieved an average audience of 11.1 million viewers, the largest live television audience of 2025
- The series will air twice weekly on Thursday and Friday evenings across 10 episodes
- Filming takes place at Ardross Castle in Inverness in the Scottish Highlands
