The castle is opening its doors again, and this time it is welcoming another group of famous faces.
The Celebrity Traitors Season 2 is officially on the way, bringing 21 celebrities
together for another round of secret identities, alliances, challenges and dramatic banishments. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the second celebrity edition of the BBC reality series is set to return this autumn with a cast that includes actors, musicians, comedians, broadcasters and online creators.
The new season has already attracted attention because of its unusually varied cast. Among the names heading into the Scottish Highlands are Michael Sheen, Richard E. Grant, Bella Ramsey, Maya Jama, James Blunt, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, James Acaster and Professor Hannah Fry.
Here is everything to know about The Celebrity Traitors Season 2 before the new series begins.
When Does The Celebrity Traitors Season 2 Start?
The second season of The Celebrity Traitors will premiere on Thursday, October 1, 2026, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The opening episode is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be longer than a standard episode. The series is expected to continue with episodes airing on Thursday and Friday evenings.
The series is being produced by Studio Lambert Scotland for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The second season will consist of 10 episodes, according to the show’s production information.
For viewers outside the UK, availability may depend on local broadcasters and streaming services.
Who Is Hosting The Celebrity Traitors?
Claudia Winkleman is returning as host.
Winkleman has become closely associated with The Traitors format, overseeing the contestants as they attempt to identify the hidden Traitors among them.
The celebrity edition follows the same basic concept as the main series. Contestants enter the castle as either Faithfuls or Traitors, although the identities of the Traitors are kept secret from the rest of the group.
The celebrities must then work together while trying to determine who they can trust.
The Celebrity Traitors Season 2 Cast
The new cast contains 21 celebrities from different areas of entertainment and broadcasting.
Michael Sheen
Welsh actor Michael Sheen joins the castle after a career spanning theatre, film and television. His credits include Good Omens, Frost/Nixon, The Queen and A Very Royal Scandal.
Richard E. Grant
Richard E. Grant is another major acting name in the lineup. He is widely known for Withnail and I, Gosford Park, The Iron Lady, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Saltburn. He also received an Academy Award nomination for Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey, known internationally for The Last of Us and Game of Thrones, will also enter the castle. Their appearance gives the new season another connection to some of television’s biggest fantasy and drama productions.
Maya Jama
Broadcaster Maya Jama is joining the competition after hosting programmes including Love Island and working across television and radio. She has also appeared in Netflix’s The Gentlemen.
James Acaster
Comedian and podcaster James Acaster is another contestant attracting attention ahead of the premiere. He is known for his stand-up work and for co-hosting the Off Menu podcast with Ed Gamble.
Acaster has already discussed the potential problem of having several comedians in the same cast, suggesting that the group could attract suspicion during the early stages of the game.
James Blunt
Singer-songwriter James Blunt is also heading to the castle. Known for songs including “You’re Beautiful” and “Goodbye My Lover,” Blunt has also developed a strong reputation for his humorous social-media presence.
Professor Hannah Fry
Mathematician and broadcaster Professor Hannah Fry brings a very different background to the competition. She is known for explaining mathematics and science to mainstream audiences and has appeared across BBC and Channel 4 programming.
Leigh-Anne Pinnock
Singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock, formerly of Little Mix, is also part of the cast. Her appearance brings a major pop-music name into the castle.
The Remaining Cast
The full lineup also includes:
- Amol Rajan
- Jerry Hall
- Joanne McNally
- Joe Lycett
- Julie Hesmondhalgh
- King Kenny
- Miranda Hart
- Myha’la
- Rob Beckett
- Romesh Ranganathan
- Ross Kemp
- Sebastian Croft
- Sharon Rooney
The complete cast was announced earlier this year, with Banijay confirming all 21 celebrities and Claudia Winkleman’s return.
What Is The Celebrity Traitors About?
The format combines the social strategy of a deception game with the atmosphere of a reality competition.
At the beginning, contestants are divided into Faithfuls and Traitors. The Faithfuls do not know who the Traitors are.
During the competition, the group completes missions and earns money for the prize fund. At the same time, the Faithfuls attempt to identify and eliminate the hidden Traitors.
The Traitors, meanwhile, must remain undiscovered while secretly working against the other contestants.
This creates two different challenges inside the same competition. The Faithfuls need to determine who is lying, while the Traitors need to maintain convincing relationships with the rest of the cast.
What Is The Prize?
The celebrities are competing for up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice.
That means the competition is not simply about personal winnings. The prize is connected to charitable causes selected by the successful contestant or contestants.
Why The New Cast Is Getting Attention
One of the most noticeable features of Season 2 is the range of backgrounds represented in the lineup.
There are established actors such as Michael Sheen and Richard E. Grant, musicians including James Blunt and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, comedians such as James Acaster and Rob Beckett, broadcasters including Maya Jama and Amol Rajan, and figures from online entertainment.
The cast also includes Bella Ramsey, whose work in The Last of Us has made them familiar to a global television audience.
With such different personalities entering the same competition, the series is likely to generate plenty of discussion around alliances, rivalries and unexpected friendships once the episodes begin.
However, the identities of the actual Traitors have not been publicly revealed ahead of the premiere. Viewers will have to watch the series to find out who is secretly working against the Faithfuls.
When Can You Watch The Celebrity Traitors?
The first episode arrives on October 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The planned schedule has the series airing on Thursday and Friday evenings, although viewers should check BBC listings for the latest episode information.
The series is expected to become one of the major entertainment releases of the autumn television schedule, particularly following the attention generated by the first celebrity edition.
Final Thoughts
The Celebrity Traitors Season 2 is bringing a new group of recognizable names into one of television’s most closely watched deception formats.
With Claudia Winkleman returning to host and celebrities including Michael Sheen, Richard E. Grant, Bella Ramsey, Maya Jama, James Blunt and Professor Hannah Fry entering the castle, the new season has plenty of familiar faces for viewers to follow.
The biggest question remains simple: who will be a Faithful, and who will secretly become a Traitor?
That answer will only become clear when the series begins on October 1.
Sources and Further Reading
- BBC — The Celebrity Traitors Season 2 cast announcement.
- Banijay — Official Season 2 announcement and production details.
- The Independent — Full 2026 cast guide and release information.
- Stylist — Season 2 cast and premiere information.
