Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 1 hr ago
The Celebrity Traitors sets ratings records but feels flatter to some viewers
The Celebrity Traitors’ second season has drawn record audiences in the UK, with its first episode watched by 15.7 million people within seven days.
The BBC reality show brings 21 famous contestants to a castle in the Scottish Highlands, where three secretly chosen Traitors try to eliminate the others, known as the Faithful.
Players also face challenges to build a charity prize fund, while the Faithful vote to banish people they suspect of being Traitors.
Some viewers say this season has felt less exciting than the first, despite its stronger ratings.
TV critic Scott Bryan says the difference may be that Richard E. Grant, a prominent Traitor, revealed himself and was banished in episode two, leaving the secret group without the same forceful personalities as last season.
Ten contestants remain, including three Traitors who are not under suspicion, as the game reaches its final stages.
The season is due to end on Friday, and the Faithful will try to identify the Traitors before the final vote.
The BBC said the debut episode of season two of The Celebrity Traitors drew 15.7 million viewers within seven days, making it the U.K.’s most-watched program of 2026.
The second episode drew 15.2 million viewers, according to the BBC.
Despite the record ratings, some viewers and critics have said the season feels flatter than the first.
TV critic Scott Bryan said the season had been solid but had not matched the first.
The Hollywood Reporter linked the change in feel partly to the early banishment of Richard E. Grant, who revealed he was a Traitor in the second episode.
- Who
- The Celebrity Traitors, its contestants and viewers.
- What
- Season two set ratings records, though some viewers and critics said it felt flatter than season one.
- When
- Season two was airing in October 2026; the finale was due to wrap up on Friday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
- Where
- Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands; the show’s ratings figures refer to viewers in the U.K.
- Why
- Scott Bryan said the turret lacked a “Big Dog” character like those in season one, which he felt had provided more drama and humor.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The first season of The Celebrity Traitors aired, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Richard E. Grant revealed he was a Traitor and was banished at the first roundtable.
The BBC said season two’s debut episode drew 15.7 million viewers within seven days and the second episode drew 15.2 million.
The Independent reported that the show was in its final stages, with 10 of the original 21 players left.
- Season two premiere audience
- 15.7 million viewers within seven days
- Season two episode two audience
- 15.2 million viewers
- Season two cast
- 21 famous faces
- Contestants remaining near the final
- 10 of the original 21, according to the Independent
- Season one finale audience
- An average of 11.1 million people in the U.K.
2 sources
What people are saying
I still think the series has been solid, and that The Traitors is the best reality show on TV, but I do agree that the series hasn’t matched [season] one.
I’m a single woman on dating apps. Do you know how much lying goes into that? Yesterday I told a man I enjoyed nature and glass blowing.