The new celebrity traitors cast is set to bring a fresh group of actors, comedians, musicians, broadcasters and online personalities into the Scottish Highlands for the second series of The Celebrity Traitors. The BBC has confirmed that Claudia Winkleman will return as host, with 21 celebrities taking part in the new series.
The second series premieres on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The opening episode will be extended, followed by new episodes on Thursday and Friday nights. The season is scheduled to contain 10 episodes.
Who Is in the New Celebrity Traitors Cast?
The 21-member lineup for The Celebrity Traitors Series 2 is:
- Amol Rajan
- Bella Ramsey
- James Acaster
- James Blunt
- Jerry Hall
- Joanne McNally
- Joe Lycett
- Julie Hesmondhalgh
- King Kenny
- Leigh-Anne Pinnock
- Maya Jama
- Michael Sheen
- Miranda Hart
- Myha’la
- Professor Hannah Fry
- Richard E. Grant
- Rob Beckett
- Romesh Ranganathan
- Ross Kemp
- Sebastian Croft
- Sharon Rooney
The cast spans several areas of entertainment and public life. It includes established film and television actors, comedians, musicians, presenters, a professional content creator and a prominent broadcaster and mathematician.
The BBC and production company Studio Lambert confirmed the lineup in May 2026, while the full group has since appeared in promotional material ahead of the October premiere.
Claudia Winkleman Returns as Host
Claudia Winkleman is returning to the castle for Series 2. She has hosted the UK version of The Traitors since its launch and also presented the first celebrity edition.
The host remains separate from the contestants’ secret roles. The celebrities will enter the game as either Traitors or Faithfuls, with the Traitors attempting to remain undetected while the Faithfuls try to identify them.
A Closer Look at the 2026 Celebrity Lineup
Amol Rajan
Amol Rajan is a journalist and broadcaster known for presenting University Challenge and his work with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. His experience interviewing public figures places him among the contestants entering the castle with a strong background in questioning and observation.
Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey is an actor known internationally for Game of Thrones and for playing Ellie in HBO’s The Last of Us. Ramsey brings a major television and film profile to the new celebrity edition.
James Acaster
James Acaster is a comedian and podcaster known for his stand-up work and for co-hosting the Off Menu podcast with Ed Gamble.
James Blunt
James Blunt is a singer-songwriter whose music career has included international hits and multiple chart successes. He is also known for his humorous presence on social media.
Jerry Hall
Jerry Hall is an American model and actress who has had a long career in fashion and entertainment. She is one of the internationally recognized names in the new cast.
Joanne McNally
Joanne McNally is an Irish comedian and broadcaster. She is also known for the podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me, which she co-hosts with Vogue Williams.
Joe Lycett
Joe Lycett is a comedian and television personality known for comedy, consumer campaigns and public stunts. He joins the castle alongside several other well-known British comedians.
Julie Hesmondhalgh
Julie Hesmondhalgh is an actor recognized for her television and stage work, including her role in Coronation Street. She is part of the acting contingent in the new lineup.
King Kenny
King Kenny is a content creator and professional boxer. His large online following gives the cast another contestant whose career developed outside traditional television and film.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock
Leigh-Anne Pinnock is a singer and former member of Little Mix. She has also pursued solo music and television work since the group’s hiatus.
Maya Jama
Maya Jama is a broadcaster and television presenter who has become closely associated with Love Island. She is among the best-known current television personalities joining the new series.
Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen is a Welsh actor and presenter known for portraying real-life figures as well as for roles in television, film and theater. His extensive acting career adds another experienced performer to the cast.
Miranda Hart
Miranda Hart is an actor, comedian and writer best known for the sitcom Miranda. She is returning to television competition in a cast built around deception and deduction.
Myha’la
Myha’la is an American actor known for playing Harper Stern in the HBO series Industry. She is one of the American performers included in the British celebrity lineup.
Professor Hannah Fry
Professor Hannah Fry is a mathematician, author and broadcaster. Her academic and television background makes her one of the contestants with a particularly distinctive professional profile.
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant is an actor known for films and television projects including Withnail & I, Can You Ever Forgive Me? and Saltburn. He is also an Academy Award-nominated performer.
Rob Beckett
Rob Beckett is a comedian and television presenter. He frequently appears on British entertainment programs and co-hosts Rob and Romesh Vs with fellow contestant Romesh Ranganathan.
Romesh Ranganathan
Romesh Ranganathan is a comedian, presenter and writer. He has worked across television, radio and podcasting and is entering the game alongside his frequent collaborator Rob Beckett.
Ross Kemp
Ross Kemp is an actor and documentary presenter best known for playing Grant Mitchell in EastEnders. His television career also includes factual and documentary programming.
Sebastian Croft
Sebastian Croft is an actor and musician known for roles including Heartstopper. He joins a younger group of performers within the celebrity cast.
Sharon Rooney
Sharon Rooney is a Scottish actor known for My Mad Fat Diary and other television and film work. She completes the 21-person celebrity lineup.
When Does The Celebrity Traitors Season 2 Start?
The new series starts on October 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The premiere is scheduled as an extra-long episode. After the opening night, the series will continue with episodes on Thursday and Friday evenings at 8 p.m.
The 10-episode season was filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, the location associated with the UK version of The Traitors.
What Is The Celebrity Traitors About?
The Celebrity Traitors uses the same basic format as the main UK series. The celebrities live together at the castle while secretly divided into two groups: Traitors and Faithfuls.
The Traitors know who is on their side and attempt to remove Faithfuls without being identified. The Faithfuls must use conversations, challenges, behavior and the Round Table votes to determine which contestants are secretly working against them.
At the Round Table, contestants can vote to banish a player they suspect of being a Traitor. The game continues as contestants are eliminated until the remaining players reach the endgame.
The celebrity version also adds a charitable element, with the winner able to secure a prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice.
What Happened in the First Celebrity Traitors Series?
The first celebrity edition aired in 2025 and became a major UK television success. Alan Carr won the series after reaching the end of the game as a Traitor.
The first series averaged about 14.9 million viewers across its run, according to figures reported by the BBC, while the finale reached a peak audience of 15.4 million.
The success of the first edition led to the return of the celebrity format with a new group of 21 contestants for 2026.
The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked Returns
Viewers will also have a companion program to follow alongside the main series. The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked returns with Ed Gamble.
The program provides post-episode discussion, interviews with eliminated contestants and additional material connected to the game. It will be available through BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
A new program titled Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides is also scheduled to launch on BBC iPlayer on the opening night. It focuses on Claudia Winkleman’s process around selecting the secret Traitors.
Where Can U.S. Viewers Watch The Celebrity Traitors?
The Celebrity Traitors is a UK production, so its initial broadcast is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. International viewers should check their local streaming availability because release timing can differ by territory.
For U.S. viewers, Peacock has carried international versions of The Traitors, but the U.S. availability date for Series 2 of The Celebrity Traitors should be checked against Peacock’s latest schedule rather than assumed from the UK premiere.
Why the New Celebrity Traitors Cast Is Getting Attention
The new cast combines familiar names from British television with internationally recognized actors and entertainers. Michael Sheen, Richard E. Grant, Bella Ramsey, Jerry Hall and James Blunt bring established film, television, fashion and music careers, while Maya Jama, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, King Kenny and others represent more recent forms of entertainment and digital media.
The comedians are another significant part of the lineup. James Acaster, Joanne McNally, Joe Lycett, Miranda Hart, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan all enter a format in which humor and personality can coexist with secret alliances and strategic voting.
The presence of Professor Hannah Fry also gives the cast a contestant whose public career is strongly associated with mathematics and science communication.
Key Facts About the New Celebrity Traitors Cast
- The 2026 season has 21 celebrity contestants.
- Claudia Winkleman returns as host.
- The new series premieres October 1, 2026, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
- The premiere begins at 8 p.m. and is scheduled as an extended opening episode.
- Regular episodes will air on Thursday and Friday nights.
- The second celebrity series is planned for 10 episodes.
- Contestants are competing for up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice.
- The cast includes actors, comedians, musicians, broadcasters and a major online creator.
- The Celebrity Traitors: Uncloaked returns with Ed Gamble.
- Traitor or Faithful? Claudia Decides is also scheduled for launch night.
Final Takeaway
The new celebrity traitors cast for 2026 is officially set, with 21 contestants heading into the Scottish Highlands for the second celebrity edition of the BBC’s hit reality competition. The lineup includes Michael Sheen, Bella Ramsey, Richard E. Grant, Maya Jama, Miranda Hart, James Blunt, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Ross Kemp and a wide range of comedians, broadcasters and entertainers.
With Claudia Winkleman returning and the series scheduled to begin on October 1, viewers now have a confirmed cast, premiere date and broadcast schedule. The central question remains which celebrities will be assigned as Traitors and which will enter the castle as Faithfuls.
Key Points Summary
╔════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ – The new Celebrity Traitors cast features 21 celebrities for Series 2. ║
║ – Claudia Winkleman returns as host when the series premieres October 1, 2026. ║
║ – The cast includes Michael Sheen, Bella Ramsey, Richard E. Grant, Maya Jama, Miranda Hart and James Blunt. ║
║ – The series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with episodes scheduled for Thursday and Friday nights. ║
║ – Contestants are competing for up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. ║
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