The castle doors are creaking open again. Peacock’s smash-hit psychological reality series The Traitors returns in early 2026 with its most unpredictable cast yet—from Survivor champs to Real Housewives legends, plus a few curveballs (yes, Donna Kelce is playing). Here’s everything we know so far.
A deadly game of trust returns
Since its debut in 2023, The Traitors has become a cultural phenomenon—equal parts murder mystery, social strategy experiment, and reality TV fever dream. Set in a secluded Scottish castle and hosted by the ever-theatrical Alan Cumming, the series drops a group of celebrities into a high-stakes game where deception is key and paranoia runs high.
The core concept is simple but gripping: some contestants are secretly chosen as “Traitors,” tasked with eliminating others while avoiding suspicion. The rest, known as “Faithful,” must work together to identify and banish the Traitors before it’s too late. Through challenges, banishments, and nightly “murders,” tension builds to a dramatic finale where only one team—or one person—can claim the prize pot. And in season 4, it seems the ante has been raised once again.
When will season 4 premiere?
While Peacock hasn’t officially announced a premiere date, The Traitors season 4 is currently slated for early 2026. If past release schedules are anything to go by, fans can expect the first episodes to drop sometime in January 2026, likely with a multi-episode premiere to kick off the chaos.
Season 3, which aired in January 2025, reached record-breaking numbers for the streaming service, thanks in large part to a buzzy cast, unexpected betrayals, and the show’s now-signature twist endings. Season 4 is poised to continue that momentum, offering even bigger personalities—and possibly even bigger betrayals.
Meet the season 4 cast
The season 4 lineup reads like a chaotic dinner party guest list: reality TV royalty, Olympians, competition show champions, and, perhaps most surprisingly, the matriarch of America’s most famous football family. That’s right—Donna Kelce, mother to NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce, is officially part of the cast. How’s that for unexpected?
Here’s the full list of players entering the castle this season:
Dorinda Medley (The Real Housewives of New York)
Lisa Rinna (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)
Candiace Dillard Bassett (The Real Housewives of Potomac)
Caroline Stanbury (The Real Housewives of Dubai)
Porsha Williams (The Real Housewives of Atlanta)
Rob Cesternino (Survivor)
Yam Yam Arocho (Survivor winner)
Natalie Anderson (Survivor, The Amazing Race)
Ian Terry (Big Brother winner)
Tiffany Mitchell (Big Brother)
Colton Underwood (The Bachelor)
Mark Ballas (Dancing with the Stars)
Monét X Change (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
Kristen Kish (Top Chef winner, Iron Chef co-host)
Maura Higgins (Love Island UK)
Robert Rausch (Love Island USA)
Tara Lipinski (Olympic figure skater, DWTS)
Johnny Weir (Olympic figure skater, DWTS)
Eric Nam (K-pop singer and entertainer)
Ron Funches (Comedian and actor)
Stephen Colletti (Laguna Beach, One Tree Hill)
Michael Rapaport (Actor, comedian, podcast host)
Donna Kelce (NFL mom of Travis and Jason Kelce)
It’s a melting pot of personalities, experience levels, and game instincts—which means betrayal will be unpredictable, and alliances even more so.
Why this cast might be the most unpredictable yet
What makes season 4 especially thrilling is the blend of strategy-savvy players—like Survivor legends and Big Brother winners—with cast members who are stepping into the game for the first time. Figures like Kristen Kish, Eric Nam, and Donna Kelce may not have prior competition experience, but their ability to charm or surprise could be a secret weapon.
Meanwhile, returning favorites from the reality TV circuit (looking at you, Lisa Rinna) are bound to stir the pot—and possibly throw gas on the fire. The Real Housewives faction alone includes five heavy hitters, each known for conflict, confessionals, and commanding screen presence. Expect tears, alliances forged over wine, and betrayal served with a side of designer drama.
And then there’s the wildcard appeal: Mark Ballas, Monét X Change, and Ron Funches all bring humor, unpredictability, and emotional depth. It’s hard to imagine any of them fading into the background—which, in The Traitors, might not be a good thing.
Alan Cumming returns as host
One constant fans can count on? The return of Alan Cumming, the show’s wildly entertaining host, who continues to channel his inner Broadway villain in every episode. With a wardrobe full of velvet capes and an eyebrow permanently raised, Cumming’s performance is equal parts camp, class, and subtle menace.
More than a narrator or facilitator, Cumming has become the face of the franchise, elevating the psychological mind games with theatrical flair. Whether he’s inviting players to their doom or reading banishment letters with Shakespearean drama, he brings gravitas to every twist.
What to expect from season 4
Season 4 will likely maintain the successful structure of previous seasons—complete with daily challenges to build the prize fund, nighttime “murders” of unsuspecting Faithfuls, and dramatic roundtable banishments. However, with so many veteran strategists in the mix (including Yam Yam, who’s already mastered deceit on Survivor), the producers may throw in new twists to keep both players and fans guessing.
As always, success in The Traitors hinges less on physical strength and more on emotional intelligence, manipulation, and reading the room. This season’s cast promises to deliver plenty of that—and with cameras capturing every side-eye, whispered alliance, and tearful banishment, the drama is practically guaranteed.
Bring on the betrayal
Four seasons in, The Traitors has firmly secured its place in the reality TV canon. Its mix of psychological manipulation, celebrity spectacle, and murder mystery intrigue is unlike anything else on television. And with a cast this stacked, season 4 might just be its most entertaining—and unpredictable—yet. As Donna Kelce might say: Let the games begin, honey.
