The Traitors season 2 contestants revealed meet the cast

BBC's The Traitors took the UK by storm back in December 2022 after season one was released and quickly amassed a dedicated following via word-of-mouth, becoming something of a cultural phenomenon and a staple in the weekly watching roster.

Set against the suitably dramatic backdrop of an eerie castle in the Scottish Highlands, the series saw contestants participating in the ultimate game of betrayal and deceit as the “Traitors” were tasked with working together to eliminate other contestants in hopes of winning the grand prize, while the “Faithfuls” strove to identify and evict the “Traitors” via voting.

It's safe to say that the first season delivered on some deliciously brutal moments of backstabbing and uncomfortably suspenseful close calls, leaving us well and truly primed for another season.

And we're pleased to say that as of tonight, that's exactly what we'll be getting!

The Traitors returns to BBC One on 3 January, with episode two and three airing on the BBC the following nights and being immediately available on iPlayer (there goes our evening plans for the rest of the week).

With Claudia Winkleman returning as The Traitors season 2 host and 22 new faces fighting it out for their share of the £120,000 prize, we're finally being treated to another series of twists and turns.

So who are The Traitors contestants this year? Below, we reveal each of the new cast members. And as for whether they're Faithfuls or Traitors? Well, you'll have to wait and see.

Andrew

First up in this year's lineup is 45-year-old insurance broker Andrew. Hailing from Talbot Green in Wales, Andrew suffered a serious accident 23 years ago in which he was pronounced dead. Considered a “miracle patient” who was expected to never walk, talk or use his arms again, Andrew defied all odds and says that he now wants to “inspire thousands of people out there who've maybe had a traumatic experience or suffered with their mental health”.

But what can we expect from his game plan?

Andrew says “I like to win but I’m also empathetic and understanding. I like helping other people too, so I think I'll be good in the castle for the contestants who are struggling or getting a bit stressed.”

Anthony

A 45-year-old chess coach from Birmingham, Anthony describes The Traitors as a perfect fit for him: “It’s like a real life, live game of chess” – easy work for someone who coaches chess for a living!

He's confident that he has a strong poker face and is prepared to go “all the way” to win.

He says “I'm here for the game and it's game time.”

Ash

Ash is a 45-year-old events coordinator from London who cites her reasons for joining The Traitors season 2 contestants as wanting “an adventure”, with her plan for the prize money should she win being to get on the property ladder.

She explains that she believes her best chance at winning is likely as a Traitor: “I know being a Traitor means you’re lying but my strategy will be to tell the truth – because the best lies come from truth”. Seems like we'll have to keep an eye out for this one.

Aubrey

Next up is 65-year-old Aubrey, a retired shop owner based in Loughborough. His tactic? To “Get on with everyone and to try and befriend everyone.”

Don't underestimate Aubrey though: “If I'm a Faithful, I'll have to watch people. You've got to be observant and alert, watching for signs. I would say I'm cunning, as cunning as a fox.”

Paired with his allegedly impressive poker face, could this be a The Traitors season 2 finalist?

Brian

33-year-old photographer Brian is the next contestant. From Glasgow, Brian explains that he admired Wilfred's game plan on the whole, though reveals that his own plan is “to not have a game plan and take everything as it happens”.

He explains that he'd love to be a Traitor as it would allow him greater control over his fate, though admits to perhaps not having the best poker face. Hmm, we'll be the judge of that.

Charlie

Charlie is a 34-year-old mental health area manager from Bristol. A fan of series one, Charlie is one of the few contestants who admits to being scared if she was marked as a Traitor, no doubt due to the fact that she says “I feel like my face will go red if I'm lying!”

Having said that, she fancies herself a pro when it comes to spotting other liars: “Where's your eye contact? Even just if there's lots of people in a room, where are you looking? I’ll be constantly looking at things like that.”

Charlotte

32-year-old recruitment manager Charlotte applied to The Traitors in pursuit of a new challenge, with her strategy being to take on the persona of “the ditzy one” early on.

“My plan is to be underestimated and kill with kindness”, with her recalling previous experience in poker tournaments when she was underestimated as a “bimbo” but ultimately made it all the way to the end.

And her grand plan should she win the prize money? To fly her dogs on a private jet to the US so she and her wife can embark on a road trip around America to taste their way through the states alongside their precious pooches.

Diane

Diane is a retired teacher who is keen to defy her children who said she could “never do something like this” by taking on The Traitors season 2. The 63-year-old applied to the show after watching one and a half episodes and admits that she doesn't have a game plan but hopes that her physical fitness will help see her through the challenges.

She thinks her chances of staying in the game are better if she's a Faithful, with her saying that if she did end up being a Traitor “I don’t think I’d be very good”.

Evie

A 29-year-old veterinary nurse from Inverness, Evie applied to The Traitors as her “final 30 before 30” job to tick off.

She fancies herself a good candidate for a Traitor because she looks like a Faithful: “So, I think my game plan is to let people believe those preconceptions of me, I’m blonde and I’ve got the dimples, and I work with animals and I’m sweet.”

She explains that she's more than prepared to go all the way and if she won the money would put it towards moving and rescuing animals.

Harry

Harry is a 22-year-old British army engineer from Slough who applied to The Traitors for the experience and because “not many people get to say that they’ve been on TV!”

Though he wants to be a Traitor and feels he can play into his “Jekyll and Hyde” tendencies, if he's made a Faithful his tactic is to be “100% honest”. Ultimately, he's hoping to be in it for the long haul and would plan to use the money to treat his family and girlfriend.

Jasmine

26-year-old Jasmine is a sales executive from London who is confident she can go the distance.

She says “I just think I’ll be great at it. I work in sales so I’m a professional truth embezzler which is kind of my tagline.”

Jasmine says that she's ready to be true to herself yet adaptable to get to the end and has no qualms with eliminating people to get to the prize money. Should she make it to the end, Jasmine wants to put the money towards supporting her parents to help them pay off their mortgage.

Jaz

National account manager Jaz is a 30-year-old Manchester resident who is going in with what he calls a “half and half” game plan which he details: "I’m going to go in with the mindset of a Faithful so people can see my body language, they can see my eye contact they can see everything about me and go ‘This guy is a Faithful. So, there’s no point even questioning him.’”

Having been convinced to apply by his in-laws, Jaz hopes to bring “pure energy” to The Traitors season 2 and fancies himself a personable team player. If successful, Jaz says he'd put his prize money towards helping his mum tick off a life-long wish to go on the Orient Express.

Jonny

Bedfordshire based Jonny is a 31-year-old ex-military man who plans to make up his game plan along the way. While he would be “excited” to be a Traitor, he says his approach wouldn't be dissimilar to if he was a Faithful, with him aiming to “try and figure people out” and trust in his intuition to guide him.

Should he go the distance, Jonny plans to put the money towards travelling through the UK.

Kyra

21-year-old Kyra is one of the youngest contestants on The Traitors season 2. The apprentice economist from Kent cites Wilfred's game plan as inspiration for her own, saying “I think that he's inspired me in the sense that you have to be very emotive but also very emotionally intelligent.”

Self described as outspoken and unafraid to speak her mind, Kyra's hope should she win is to put money towards her sister's wedding and help the rest of her family.

Meg

22-year-old illustrator Meg from Herefordshire is planning to “wing it” through this season, describing herself as “very competitive” though not to the extent that she would throw someone under the bus.

She says “I’m not a great liar so I'd rather be a Faithful” and would plan to put the prize money towards helping her parents pay their mortgage off and a motorhome trip around Scotland.

Miles

Miles is a 36-year-old veterinary nurse currently based in Worcestershire who wants to break out of his “cookie-cutter” life and mix things up by joining the show.

He deems himself a strong judge of character which could help him as a Traitor or Faithul and says “I will be doing anything that I can do to win for the Traitors and shock people”.

Mollie

21-year-old Mollie is a disability model from Bristol who thinks her (in her own words) “innocent looking” poker face could help her go all the way.

While she thinks of herself as more of a Faithful, she says that she could take on the Traitor mindset should she need to, having admired both the teamwork and “sneakiness” of contestants from season one.

Paul

Paul is a 36-year-old business manager from Manchester. A self-proclaimed fan of riddles, boards games and escape rooms, he's also tried his hand at stand-up comedy and hopes his sense of humour could help him ease tensions should he need to.

He has a natural inclination to be a Traitor, saying “To participate in the show fully is to be a Traitor I think. It’s great to be a Faithful and find the Traitors but I want to be the one that people are trying to find.”

Should he win, Paul would like to put his prize money towards buying a house for his family.

Ross

Ross is a 28-year-old video director from Lancashire who wants to “bring a little bit of liveliness” to the game. He admits he'd feel ‘a bit gutted’ if he had to be a Traitor, preferring his chances as a Faithful by charming his fellow contestants.

A regular poker player, he hopes to rely on his skills at reading people and their personalities to see him through to the very end.

Sonja

66-year-old Sonja is a volunteer business mentor from Lancashire who applied to The Traitors season 2 to challenge herself and put her abilities to the ultimate test.

She hopes to be a Traitor, and when it comes to how she plans to win, Sonja says “My game plan is to knit my way to the finals. I'm an avid knitter. What I hope to do genuinely is knit while I'm thinking.”

Tracey

Tracey is a 58-year-old sonographer and clairvoyant from Inverness who is going in without a clearly defined game plan and hopes to “live moment to moment and do what feels right”.

With previous experience in the Air Force, she's looking forward to trying her hand at the challenges and hopes to retire if she were to win the prize money.

Zack

Parliamentary affairs advisor Zack is a 27-year-old from London who thinks his ability to read people will help him through this season.

His self-described “massive mouth” means he thinks he'd be better off as a Faithful because he'll struggle to keep secrets, though admits he would be happy to take on the power that comes with being a Traitor, with his game plan being to make as many friends as possible along the way.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLjApqauqp2WtKLGyKecZ5ufY8Kse8Crq6KbnJp8tb7AoquoqqNiwKat0qilZmpdmLyvwMSsq5qmpKh6pK3SrQ%3D%3D