The Traitors series 3: Everything you need to know as winners revealed 🏰

The third series of BBC's The Traitors has amassed record viewings — with around 10million people tuning in to watch each episode so far! And it's no surprise the show's popularity is continuing to grow, with series three seeing more iconic contestants than ever — and a brand-new power, which gave one faithful the ability to unmask a traitor.

The action got better and better in the final few weeks! And now, as the winners are FINALLY revealed, we bring you everything you need to know about the show that took over our January weeknights...

What time was the final on?

The final aired on Friday 24th January at the earlier time of 8.30pm - and is available to catch up on BBC iPlayer.

Record viewings

The first episode of The Traitors series 3, has been watched by over 10million viewers to date, breaking its own records — and making its third series debut the biggest BBC unscripted episode since the first episode of Planet Earth III and the biggest BBC audience for an entertainment programme since the 2023 Eurovision Grand Final.

Who were the series three contestants?

The contestants for series three were unveiled on Wednesday 1st January.

An Instagram post read: 'Get to know #TheTraitors Cast of 2025.

'Watch The Traitors UK 3 - Tonight at 8pm on @BBC One 📺

'#TheTraitorsUK #BBCTraitors #Drama #Mystery #TrustNoOne #Faithfuls #Traitors #ClaudiaWinkleman #Cast

'Nail-biting, award winning, reality series, The Traitors is back!

'Host Claudia Winkleman welcomes a new group of strangers to play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust, in the hope of winning up to £120,000.

'It's a new series, and a whole new game. But who will make it through?'

When did it start?

The Traitors series three aired on BBC One on 1st January 2025 — and is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Sharing the news on Friday 29th November, bosses wrote: 'Start the New Year with a bang... The Traitors returns to BBC One and iPlayer on New Year's Day'. (sic)

Who won this year's The Traitors?

Faithfuls Leanne and Jake shared the prize fund of £94,600, banishing traitor Charlotte and faithfuls Francesca and Alexander at the final hurdle.

Who were this year's traitors?

Claudia selected three traitors at this year's first round table — and, most likely in an attempt to steer away from last year's male-heavy traitors tower — she selected three women. Armani, Minah and Linda.

Armani was soon banished at the round table — with the remaining two requesting to recruit a new member...Anna. But she declined, saying she felt like she was being made a scapegoat.

In an action-packed episode on Wednesday 15th January, the second traitor — famed for her iconic one-liners — was exposed at the round table. Linda was voted out by her fellow contestants, much to the dismay of viewers, who have found her questionable tactics hilarious.

Just Minah then remained in the traitors tower, but she successfully manage to recruit Charlotte — the one who was faking a Welsh accent! Unfortunately for Minah, Charlotte was not to be underestimated, and within just a few days, she turned on her fellow traitor at the round table, helping the faithfuls banish their third traitor!

Two nights before the final, in a move we weren't expecting, Charlotte recruited the first male traitor of the season, Freddie. The 20-year-old politics student was given an ultimatum...accept or be murdered.

Needless to say, Freddie took the cloak. But Charlotte secretly revealed shortly afterwards, she was plotting to set him up for a fall. Knowing Leanne had a shield, she convinced Freddie to 'murder' her. Meaning Leanne would instantly blame him or Alexander when she arrived safely at breakfast; they were the only contestants who didn't know she'd won protection from murder.

As predicted, Charlotte's dastardly plan worked — resulting in Freddie's banishment the following day!

This means just one traitor remained, as the show headed into the final.

Who was banished?

The first episode saw the brutal dumping of three contestants, before they'd even made it to the Traitors castle, but they returned in episode four, fighting for their place at the round table.

A total of 14 banishments took place — with nine faithfuls and five traitors walking away, revealing their true identity.

Episode 2: Nathan (faithful)

Episode 2: Elen (faithful)

Episode 3: Armani (traitor)

Episode 4: Kasim (faithful)

Episode 5: Tyler (faithful)

Episode 6: Dan (faithful)

Episode 7: Linda (traitor)

Episode 8: Alex (faithful)

Episode 9: Leon (faithful)

Episode 10: Minah (traitor)

Episode 11: Freddie (traitor)

FINAL Episode 12: Charlotte (traitor)

FINAL Episode 12: Alexander (faithful)

FINAL Episode 12: Francesca (faithful)

Who was murdered by the traitors?

There were eight 'murders' throughout the series, courtesy of the traitors:

Episode 1: Yin

Episode 2: Keith

Episode 4: Maia

Episode 6: Livi

Episode 7: Fozia

Episode 8: Anna

Episode 9: Lisa

Episode 10: Joe

Episode 11: The traitors attempted to murder Leanne, but she had a shield protecting her!

Who became The Seer, granting them the power to unmask another player?

In a completely unexpected turn of events, in a task on the night before the final, Francesca won the ability to unmask one player of her choosing.

Francesca, The Seer, chose to unmasked her friend Charlotte — looking for confirmation that she was the faithful she believed her to be. She soon discovered Charlotte was a traitor, but when sharing the news with her fellow contestants, Charlotte denied everything, accusing Francesca of being a traitor herself! Ouch.

What is a seer?

The word seer comes from the word see. A seer has a profound insight or vision of the future.

Which contestants were selected for Deathmatch?

In episode six, four contestants were selected by the traitors to battle it out in a deadly game of cards, called Deathmatch. The loser will be 'murdered' at the end of the game. Linda and Minah selected Anna, Alexander, Fozia and Leon by writing their names on the gravestones on a picture in the castle.

Anna and Alexander both finished a round with the life card before the end of episode six, which meant they were safe. And on Wednesday 15th January, following an eventful effort to rescue 'the missing', we discovered Leon found the final life card, leaving Fozia 'dead'.

What happened to the three contestants kicked off the train?

The three contestants kicked off the train before they'd even unpacked their bags made a surprise return in episode four. But not all would make it to the castle. In a brutal turn of events, Fozia, Alexander and Jack would have to fight for two places at the round table. And it was up to the contestants to decide, by way of a trial.

The trio were suspended in cages in the forest, with contestants having to pay their ransom by finding coins and depositing them in each of the three pots to help release them. But there was only enough to release two.

After a closely fought battle, Fozia and Alexander secured their place, while Jack was brutally sent home for a second time.

Why is this year's The Traitors final different?

In a format shake-up, Claudia revealed this year's finalists wouldn't reveal their identity if and when banished, leaving the remaining few even more in the dark about those left to share the prize fund with.

When was it on TV?

The show has been airing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

For episodes one and two, The Traitors aired at 8pm. From episode three onwards it's been airing at 9pm - until the final, which was held at 8.30pm on Friday 24th January.

Is there a trailer?

A 30-second trailer was released on Boxing Day alongside the caption: 'This nail-biting, award winning, reality series, hosted by Claudia Winkleman returns on New Years Day, as we welcome a new group of strangers to play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust, in the hope of winning up to £120,000. New series, and a whole new game. But who will make it through?'. (sic)

Watch the trailer below:

When was it filmed?

Filming for series three took place over the summer of 2024 at the stunning Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

When did applications close?

After over 250,000 people applied for the third series, applications were closed on 17th March 2024.

Applications are now open for series four.

When was the final?

The final aired at 8:30pm on Friday 24th January on BBC One.

Following the finale there was be an extended episode of The Traitors: Uncloaked on BBC One, where presenter Ed Gamble was joined by the whole cast of the series, as they reacted to the final episode and talked about their time at the castle.

Who hosts the show?

The lovely Claudia Winkleman returned to host the third series.

When was the third series announced?

Announcing the exciting news on X, formerly Twitter, the BBC confirmed that the show would be returning for a third series back in November 2023.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, teased what was to come in a further series saying: "The massive unscripted hit The Traitors will be back for a third series. Expect to see more psychological gameplay, exciting challenges and of course Claudia at the helm. It will be a thrilling ride for both avid fans and newcomers to the series for sure. The BBC will always remain faithful to The Traitors."

With Stephen Lambert, CEO of Studio Lambert, adding: "We’re delighted a third series of The Traitors has been confirmed today ahead of the second series’ arrival on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

"The Traitors has been so warmly received by viewers, critics and award juries alike. Claudia and the team look forward to keeping audiences on the edge of their seats again with ever more thrilling missions and exceptional players competing in this gripping game of bluff and skill."

What is The Traitors?

For those who don't know, The Traitors is a reality TV show on the BBC. Filmed at Ardross castle in Scotland, 22 hopefuls attempt to win up to £120,000. During the day contestants are set challenges to complete, while at night the Traitors could 'murder' other contestants.

There's since been two UK series before this one, with the show also getting adaptations around the world.

Take a look through other shows that you can apply for now:

How can I watch other versions of The Traitors?

As well as series one, two three of The Traitors UK, The Traitors USA and The Traitors Australia are all available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Now read:

The Traitors: Live Experience is opening in Spring 2025

How to apply for The Traitors

The Traitors star Mollie 'set to make thousands' in lucrative modelling deal

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