The BBC Reveals Inaugural 'The Celebrity Traitors' Cast

It's not a secret that The Traitors is one of the biggest reality shows in America. But what many U.S. fans may not know is that the series is part of a much larger franchise that's equally popular all around the globe. Though it began with the Dutch reality series De Verraders, there are now over 20 international versions of the series in countries worldwide, with more on the way. (It's difficult to argue with the scope of its success, is what I'm saying.) The latest addition to the franchise is the U.K.'s The Celebrity Traitors, a high-end spin-off of the British flagship series. 

Unlike its American cousin, which features reality star casts made up from members of various other franchises like Survivor or Real Housewives, The Traitors U.K. sends regular, everyday people to compete for cash in its Gothic castle. The celebrity edition will mark the first time that famous figures will get a crack at putting on a Traitor's hood, and it's more of a big deal than it seems. Many British celebs are self-avowed Traitors enthusiasts, so if the BBC can make Celebrity Traitors as successful as the flagship version, there's no way we won't be seeing more seasons in the future. (Particularly since it would allow the corporation to squeeze out an extra edition each year.) 

As is evident from the BBC casting announcement for its inaugural Celebrity Traitors competition, they have plenty of genuinely major celebrities to choose from, producing an intriguing mix of actors, television presenters, singers, journalists, and even an Olympic athlete. "We’re incredibly lucky these brilliant people have said yes," Winkleman said in a statement when the cast was announced. "I’d love to say we’ll take it easy on them and they’ll just wander round the castle and eat toast for a couple of weeks, but that would be a lie."

Here are the famous faces who will be moving into the castle to play The Celebrity Traitors.

• Alan Carr. Comedian, writer, actor, and television presenter, known for programs such as Alan Carr: Adventures with Agatha Christie
• Cat Burns. Popular singer/songwriter who rose to fame on TikTok during the pandemic lockdown, went on to become a three-time BRIT Award nominee
• Celia Imrie. Actor known for roles in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Thursday Murder Club, and The Diplomat.
• Charlotte Church. Popular Welsh classical singer and activist, who once hosted her own chat show on Channel 4
• Clare Balding. Journalist and author who currently presents for BBC Sport and Channel 4. Former president of the Rugby Football League
• David Olusoga. Historian and writer behind such programs as Britain's Forgotten Slave Owners and Black and British: A Forgotten History
• Joe Marler. Former England rugby player turned social media star and podcast host ("Joe Marler's Things People Do")
• Joe Wilkinson. Comedian, makes regular appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats and 8 Out of Ten Cats Does Countdown
• Jonathan Ross. Award-winning, presenter, comedian, actor, and writer. Host of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and The Jonathan Ross Show
• Kate Garraway. Good Morning Britain presenter who made a documentary about her late husband's battle with COVID-19 (Caring for Derek)
• Lucy Beaumont. Comedian who won So You Think You're Funny in 2011, but is more famous today for her memorable turn on Taskmaster
• Mark Bonnar. Actor known for roles in shows as varied as Guilt, World on Fire, Unforgotten, and The Rig
• Nick Mohammed. Actor and comedian, best known for playing Nate on Ted Lasso
• Niko Omilana. YouTuber, influencer, and content creator who keeps running for political office
• Paloma Faith. Singer/songwriter known for her eccentric style and hits like "Only Love Can Hurt Like This"
• Ruth Codd. Actor who previously appeared in Netflix's The Midnight Club and The Fall of the House of Usher. Set to star in the How to Train Your Dragon live-action remake.
• Stephen Fry. Actor, writer, presenter and general English institution, he's been in everything from A Bit of Fry and Laurie to The Sandman.
• Tameka Empson. Actor and comedian who has been playing Kim Fox on EastEnders since 2009
• Tom Daley. Olympic diver who won five medals across three separate games, also an avid knitter

Regardless of its version, The Traitors' premise is fairly simple. Twenty-some contestants are divided into two groups: A handful are assigned to play the roles of "Traitors," who must work together to try to eliminate the majority, a.k.a. the "Faithfuls." The Faithfuls know that Traitors are among them, but they don't know their identities. They must spend the season attempting to discover their secrets, even as they compete alongside them in group missions to earn cash for the winner's prize fund. 

The game alternates between phases as the Faithfuls attempt to identify and banish a Traitor each day, while the Traitors gleefully meet each night to select a Faithful to "murder." The heart of it is the dramatic roundtable each evening, during which players accuse, defend, and vote to banish their top Traitor suspects. It makes for wildly addictive television as massive lies are told, backs are stabbed, and dramatic accusations are flung with abandon. 

While Faithfuls and Traitors usually compete for prize money for themselves, the Celebrity Traitors competitors will play for the chance to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice.

The Celebrity Traitors will premiere on BBC One and iPlayer in the U.K. this Fall. U.S. audiences have been able to watch The Traitors U.K. on Peacock following the finale of each of its U.K. seasons. It's unknown if that will also be the case for Celebrity Traitors, but it certainly seems likely.