“The Traitors” Season 3 Heats Up as Contestants Battle for $250,000 Prize

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The third season of the U.S. version of “The Traitors” is underway, with new episodes airing every Thursday on Peacock. Hosted by Alan Cumming, the reality competition show pits 20 contestants against each other in a high-stakes murder mystery game set in a historic Scottish castle. Contestants are divided into two groups: Traitors, who must eliminate their rivals to claim the $250,000 prize, and Faithfuls, who aim to uncover and banish the Traitors to win the money.

Season 3, which premiered on January 9, 2025, features a star-studded cast, including Rob Mariano from “Survivor,” Gabby Windey from “The Bachelor,” Tom Sandoval from “Vanderpump Rules,” Chrishell Stause from “Selling Sunset,” and Dylan Efron, brother of actor Zac Efron. The show, based on the Dutch series “De Verraders,” has shifted to an all-celebrity format since its second season.

In the latest episode, which aired on January 23, 2025, Mariano orchestrated the banishment of fellow Traitor Bob the Drag Queen. This bold move has sparked speculation about Mariano’s future in the game. Season 2 alum Parvati Shallow, who competed as a Traitor, told PEOPLE that Mariano’s aggressive gameplay could backfire. “It’s going to come back to bite him,” Shallow said. “Rob can’t be a backseat driver. He has to drive the car, and it’s got to be a big car that goes too fast.”

Shallow also praised fellow contestants like Carolyn Wiger, whom she believes has a strong chance of winning. “I think she can win,” Shallow said. “She’s being overlooked, which is helpful in a game like this.”

New episodes of “The Traitors” air Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Peacock. Viewers can stream the show with a premium plan starting at $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually. The premium plus plan, which is ad-free, costs $13.99 per month or $139.99 per year.

The competition intensifies as contestants face missions to build the prize fund and navigate the treacherous dynamics of the game. With alliances shifting and strategies evolving, the battle for the $250,000 prize promises to deliver more twists and turns in the coming weeks.