While a cultural phenomenon, ‘The Traitors’ had passed me up until this autumn—I got it, it’s Mafia, but on TV—but I decided to tune into ‘The Celebrity Traitors’ this time around and… Oh, my God, this is the greatest show ever, right!? Why are they all so bad at it? What is Claudia Winkleman wearing? How do I get on it myself?
Well, the BBC is now on the hunt for contestants for the fifth UK series of ‘The Traitors’. It’s looking for “fun, smart and strategic players” to test their skills of “strategy, suspicion and deception.” Due to be filmed in the Scottish Highlands next year, the winners will split a prize fund of up to £120,000.
What is ‘The Traitors’?
If you’ve ever played the party games Mafia or Werewolf, the concept will sound familiar to you. A team of players compete in a series of missions to build a bigger prize pot. Hidden among them, however, are the ‘Traitors’ who meet in secret every night and eliminate their fellow players. It’s up to the ‘Faithful’ to sniff out and banish all the ‘Traitors’ before the game ends.
How do I apply?
You have until May 31, 2026, to fill in your application to ‘The Traitors’, but the closing date may be changed without notice—so get yours in ASAP. To apply, you must be:
- At least 18 years old
- Have the right to legally reside in the UK
- Be available for up to 4 weeks in Summer/Autumn 2026
Alongside a form consisting of personal details about yourself, the application also includes a choice of whether you’d prefer to be a ‘Traitor’ or a ‘Faithful’. You must then say why… Are you a wannabe Sherlock Holmes? A Good Samaritan looking for a change? Or, maybe you’re just really good at lying and in need of a real challenge?
There are then several further questions in the application, including: ‘What would be your strategy to win?’, ‘What is the best lie you have ever told?’, ‘What is the biggest secret you’ve kept?’, and, ‘What has been the most significant moment in your life so far, and how has it shaped you as a person?’
Don’t be camera shy, you’ll also need to film a 1-minute video to show the producers why you belong in the castle—“be bold, be memorable, and impress us!”—as well as upload at least two recent photos of yourself. So, it’s best to set aside some time to fill it all in. Don’t do it half-heartedly on a Thursday night, while screaming “It’s Jonathan Ross!!!!” at the television…
To apply to be on the next series of ‘The Traitors’, head here.