When does Celebrity Traitors 2026 start? BBC launch date for season 2 and what time episodes air

FANS of The Celebrity Traitors have been eagerly anticipating the second series of the hit BBC spin-off for months – and they don’t have long to wait now. Maya Jama, James Blunt and Miranda Hart are among the famous faces lining up for season two of the popular show’s spin-off – here’s everything you need to know. Beloved Claudia Winkleman returns as the show host Credit: BBC A first look teaser showed the new stars at a funeral Credit: BBC When does Celebrity Traitors 2026 start? Celebrity Traitors will make its return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Thursday, October 1. Episodes will air two nights a week on Thursday and Friday, starting at 8pm – but the premiere will be an extra-long instalment, which will no doubt delight fans. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Filming at Ardross Castle wrapped in the summer, with BBC content bosses teasing plenty of tears, shock backstabs, and high drama. Ed Gamble will also return with companion show Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked, airing on BBC Two immediately after each episode. And to mark launch night, there will also be a new bonus special, with Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides will be available on October 1 from 9.15pm on BBC iPlayer. It initially looked like Celeb Traitors would air a little earlier, after Richard Osman accidentally “revealed” a start date of September 23 during a live podcast chat with show’s former star Joe Marler. However, show bosses debunked this, with an insider saying: There was huge frustration when Richard wrongly announced the date, and everyone involved were blindsided and confused as to where he got that from.” What is the cast for Celebrity Traitors 2026? A group of 21 celebrities are swapping their day jobs for the damp Scottish Highlands to play the ultimate game of trust and deceit. Most read in TV The full cast lineup for the second series is as follows: Amol Rajan – Today programme presenter and University Challenge host Bella Ramsey – The Last of Us and Game of Thrones star Dr Hannah Fry – Mathematician, professor, and BBC science presenter James Acaster – Stand-up comedian and Off Menu podcast co-host James Blunt – Chart-topping singer-songwriter Jerry Hall – Supermodel and actress Joanne McNally – Comedian and My Therapist Ghosted Me co-host Joe Lycett – Stand-up comedian and TV presenter Julie Hesmondhalgh – Former Coronation Street legend and Mr Bates vs The Post Office star King Kenny – YouTube star, content creator, and Beta Squad member Leigh-Anne Pinnock – Solo artist and former Little Mix singer Maya Jama – Love Island host and TV presenter Michael Sheen – Award-winning stage and screen actor Miranda Hart – Sitcom creator and comedy star Myha’la – Industry and Black Mirror actress Richard E. Grant – Oscar-nominated film star Rob Beckett – Stand-up comedian and podcast host Romesh Ranganathan – TV presenter and comedian Ross Kemp – EastEnders soap icon and documentary maker Sebastian Croft – Heartstopper and Game of Thrones actor Sharon Rooney – My Mad Fat Diary and Barbie star How does Celebrity Traitors work? The Celebrity Traitors launched on BBC One last year, following the success of the previous three series of The Traitors, and was a huge hit. Set in the picturesque landscape of the Scottish Highlands, the show features a group of celebrity contestants taking part in a social deduction game. Shortly after their arrival at Ardross Castle, the players gather around the Round Table where they are split into Traitors and Faithfuls. Claudia Winkleman, who returns as the show host, makes the selection in secret, so only the Traitors know the identity of all players and can use their power to “murder”. Meanwhile, Faithfuls are tasked to discover and banish the Traitors by voting them out to win the grand prize. In contrast to the original series, the grand prize is awarded to a charity of the winner’s choice in the celebrity version. 1 comment1