The Traitors receives 'thrilling' new update after record-breaking finale


The Traitors season four crowned its winners on Friday night in a tense episode that drew 9.4 million viewers in a record-breaking high


Claudia Winkleman© BBC/Studio Lambert/Paul Chappells
Abby Allen
Abby AllenTV writer
2 minutes ago
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The Traitors may have crowned its season four winners on Friday, but there's another exciting update in store for fans of the hit BBC show. The TV series, hosted in the UK by Claudia Winkleman, is being adapted into a theatrical production set to hit the stage in 2027.

The news comes after a record-breaking finale, which saw Traitors Stephen Libby and Rachel Duffy take the win and pulled in a whopping 9.4 million viewers, according to the BBC.

Intrigued? Keep reading for everything we know about the new production…

The six finalists in The Traitors standing around the jackpot© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Matt Burlem

What to expect from The Traitors theatre production

While it's unclear exactly how the show will be adapted for the stage, the new venture is being written by actor and comedy writer John Finnemore (Cabin Pressure, Miranda) and directed by theatre director and Olivier Award winner Robert Hastie.

WATCH: The Traitors season 4 teaser
A photo of the Traitors cast during the banquet© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry

What have the creatives said about The Traitors theatre production?

Reflecting on the news, Stephen Lambert, CEO of Studio Lambert, said: "Taking The Traitors from screen to stage is a hugely exciting next step for this much-loved brand.

"Partnering with Neal Street Productions, a true theatrical powerhouse, allows us to reimagine the show as a bold and surprising theatrical performance.

"Faithful fans should expect an intense, joyful night out as we reveal a thrilling new hunting ground for our traitors."

Claudia Winkleman© BBC/Studio Lambert/Cody Burridge/Matt Burlem

Meanwhile, Caro Newling, co-founder of Neal Street Productions, added: "In developing The Traitors for the stage, Neal Street and Studio Lambert have curated a team of brilliant faithful theatre-makers led by director Rob Hastie and writer John Finnemore to bring a bold, structural twist to the format that only the live medium can provide."

David Olusoga, Cat Burns, Claudia Winkleman, Nick Mohammed, Alan Carr & Joe Marler© BBC/Studio Lambert/Paul Chappells

A record-breaking finale

The Traitors season four finale pulled in an average of 9.4 million viewers, with a peak of 9.6 million, according to the BBC.

That marks the biggest overnight audience since the finale of the celebrity spin-off back in November 2025, which saw another win by Traitor Alan Carr. It is also the most-watched episode of the civilian version to date.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the BBC, said of the record-breaking high: "The dramatic conclusion to series four of The Traitors, expertly produced by the brilliant team at Studio Lambert Scotland, proved exactly why this grippingly unmissable game continues to surprise, entertain and delight with over 9 million faithful viewers watching the nail-biting finale so far.

"Only the BBC can bring audiences all across the UK together for edge of the seat entertainment like this that every generation can enjoy."

TX DATE:14-01-2026,TX WEEK:2,EMBARGOED UNTIL:14-01-2026 21:05,PEOPLE:The Cast of The Traitors S4,DESCRIPTION:++POST TX ONLY++,COPYRIGHT:Studio Lambert,CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Studio Lambert/Euan Cherry

The Traitors' history

While the format has seen huge success in the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, Canada and the USA, The Traitors originally aired as De Verraders in the Netherlands in 2021. 

Created by Marc Pos and Jasper Hoogendoorn, the format proved such a hit that it has since been adapted into more than 20 versions worldwide.

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