The Traitors is an American adaptation of the Dutch reality format De Verraders, which has launched over 40 local adaptations. It premiered on January 12, 2023, with all episodes of the first season dropped at once on the platform. The series was an immediate hit, with NBCUniversal citing it as Peacock’s most-watched original reality series to date.
The format places a group of celebrity contestants — dubbed either “Faithful” or “Traitors” — inside a castle. All contestants work together on missions to build a prize fund worth up to $250,000. Hidden among the group, the Traitors secretly eliminate Faithfuls while the Faithful attempt to identify and banish the Traitors.
The game ends when either all Traitors are exposed — leaving the prize for the remaining Faithfuls — or when the Traitors successfully outlast the Faithfuls and claim the money themselves. Season 4 introduced an additional twist: a “Secret Traitor,” whose identity was hidden from both the audience and the regular Traitors.
Alan Cumming has hosted the show since its debut in 2023 and plays a central role in the competition’s structure. At the start of each season, Cumming personally selects who will be the Traitors. He then presides over each roundtable, steering the drama as contestants debate, accuse, and vote to banish one of their own. Cumming is an award-winning actor whose screen credits include The Good Wife, Spy Kids, X2: X-Men United, and GoldenEye.
The celebrity version of The Traitor has streamed on Peacock, with occasional episodes airing on NBC. However, in 2025, NBC Universal announced a civilian version of the show, titled Traitors: New Blood. The civilian season will premiere in September 2026 and will air on NBC with next-day streaming on Peacock.
