The Traitors fans think they’ve already worked out the identity of the secret Traitor as they praise ‘genius’ new twist in first episode of latest series

Traitors fans think they’ve already figured out the identity of the secret Traitor as they rave about the ‘genius’ new arc with the first episode airing on Thursday night.

This year BBC bosses decided to change the format in a change that will change the way the entire game is played.

Host Claudia Winkleman revealed that in addition to casting three Traitors, who were revealed to be Hugo, Rachel, and Stephen, she would also be casting a secret fourth Traitor who would wear a new red cape.

The Secret Traitor will be the only cast member who knows everyone’s true identity, and even the audience won’t know who Claudia chooses.

James, Netty and Maz are not secret Traitors because they were also put on the murder list because the Traitors met in the tower.

After an interesting comment he made after the first episode, many thought that the other Sam might be the secret traitor.

This year BBC bosses decided to change the format in a change that will change the way the entire game is played.

After the initial challenge, he said he was glad he wasn’t ready to commit murder as he wanted to stay ‘out of sight’.

In reaction, many people wrote about X: ‘Sam why would a ‘radar’ be worried about #TheTraitors?’,

‘The secret traitor is Sam. #Traitors were given many clues.’

Another said: ‘Why is there nothing next to Sam’s name? #Traitors.’,

‘I believe Sam is the secret traitor who locked this on #TheTraitors now.’,

‘I think Sam might be a secret traitor #Traitors.’,

‘I think Sam is the secret traitor… #TheTraitors.’,

‘Secret traitor Sam, you heard it here first, I don’t know why I’m so convinced but I’m #TheTraitorsUK #TheTraitors.’,

‘Three people I consider to be potentially secret traitors: Amanda, Sam or Fiona #TheTraitors.’,

‘Sam is the secret traitor, imo. #Traitors.’,

After an interesting comment he made after the first episode, many thought that the other Sam might be the secret traitor.

Viewers wrote to X: ‘Sam is the secret traitor. So many clues were given that #Traitors’

Host Claudia Winkleman revealed that in addition to casting three Traitors, revealed to be Hugo, Rachel and Stephen, she would also be casting a secret fourth Traitor

‘I am sending it for future reference. Sam is the Secret Traitor. #Traitors.”

Others also shared their theories that one of the Traitors might actually be the secret Traitor.

Speaking about the decision to change the format this year, Studio Lambert’s Creative Director, Mike Cotton, said: ‘Each series is like its own murder mystery. We never change the core game, but always work in a twisted way. We thought it would be interesting if you didn’t know who one of the traitors was.

‘As Claudia says in the series, the reign of the secret Traitors will continue until the others regain power. Traitors are used to having all the power, so it will be interesting to see how they go about this and whether they can use it to their advantage.’

Claudia chose Stephen, Rachel, and Hugo as her Traitors, but what the audience didn’t see was the person she tapped on the shoulder as the secret Traitor.

Claudia told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s frustrating but I don’t choose them alone. I’m interviewing all the players and some are absolutely desperate to stay loyal. Anyone who convinces me otherwise is in contention.

‘I then go into a small room with the bosses and a huge box of biscuits and we choose.

‘We chose someone who wanted it. Someone who sits in front of the fire and says, ‘I have to be a traitor.’ ‘They’re having some fun’ He added that the game had become ‘brutal’ and the contestants were playing their hearts out.

At their first meeting he told them: ‘I have a little confession. You are not the only Traitors in this castle. At the round table I chose another Traitor, the secret Traitor. You still have power, but not as much.

‘This secret Traitor will work alone. They’ll give you a murder shortlist every night. You can only kill one of the people on the murder shortlist. They won’t involve themselves because they’re a Traitor, and of course they won’t include you either.

‘Let me add this, you don’t know who they are, but they know very well who you are.

To which Stephen replies: ‘That’s crooked’, to which Claudia grins and adds: ‘That’s just how I like it.’

Mother and daughter Judy and Roxy are among the twenty-two players hoping to win the top prize, which can be worth up to £120,000. They keep their relationship a secret from their fellow contestants, but they reveal this secret to the audience in the first episode.

And two more contestants had an unexpected reunion when they arrived at the famous Scottish castle.

While Netty was pleased to see a familiar face among 20 strangers, Ross was skeptical and the Traitors were already in game mode, even though they had not yet been selected.

BBC Bosses told the Daily Mail that there were no plans to include a second pair of contestants who knew each other in the program, as it was revealed in the first episode that there was also a mother-daughter duo in the game.

While doing background checks, the producers noticed Netty and Ross were following each other on social media, but the connection was tenuous and so they didn’t want to cast them.

James, Netty and Maz are not secret traitors because they were also put on the hit list when the traitors met in the tower.

After being named the traitor, Stephen said: ‘I’m so excited about this game of cat and mouse.’

Meanwhile, Hugo said he believes he has a great poker face: ‘I guess so, so I’m a lawyer and I have to stand in front of the jury and be kind of a big cuddly teddy bear.’

Communications officer Rachel (42) was named as a traitor along with Stephen and lawyer Hugo

At the end of the episode, James, Netty and Maz are put on the hit list by the secret Traitor who has the most power.

Only these three people can commit murder.

Fans wrote about X after the episode: ‘I’m obsessed with the secret traitor thing. I love that we can play the game as viewers;

‘Keeping a secret even from us is a genius move. Now we will play together too! It’s interesting to see how it plays out’;

‘I wonder who the fourth secret traitor is!!! This is a gripping development!’;

‘So Claudia has chosen a secret Traitor. Oh that’ll be good.’