The Traitors season 3 cast: Confirmed line-up

With up to £120,000 up for grabs and four weeks to make it happen, time is of the essence for the remaining Faithfuls to sniff out the Traitors – that is, unless the Traitors get to them first.

This year's host Claudia Winkleman chose her three Traitors, all of whom struck again in last night's episode (2nd January).

As ever, the remaining players will compete in a series of challenges to add money to the prize pot.

If they succeed, they will inch closer to taking home the potentially life-changing cash prize – but if they fail, then they could run the risk of being eliminated, either by 'murder' at the hands of The Traitors, or banishment from their fellow Faithfuls who suspect them.

So, who is taking on the challenge this year? Meet the cast who think they have the detective skills to make it out of this murder-mystery game alive...

Who are the contestants of The Traitors season 3? Confirmed line-up

• Alex
• Alexander - ELIMINATED
• Anna
• Armani
• Charlotte
• Dan
• Elen - BANISHED
• Fozia - ELIMINATED
• Francesca
• Freddie
• Jack - ELIMINATED
• Jake
• Joe
• Kasim
• Keith - MURDERED
• Leanne
• Leon
• Linda
• Lisa
• Livi
• Maia
• Minah
• Nathan - BANISHED
• Tyler
• Yin - MURDERED

Lisa

Age: 62

Job: Anglican Priest

Location: Cornwall

Status: Faithful

Lisa made an interesting choice in this season of The Traitors as she revealed she wouldn't be telling her fellow players that she is a Priest.

Her main driving force, though, for taking part in the series is that she is "completely obsessed" with murder mysteries.

"If there's a murder mystery on the go, I'm there," she explained in an interview with the BBC. "I've watched every episode of Poirot, every Agatha Christie more than once, Midsomer Murders, Inspector Morse, Grantchester, Father Brown, Sister Boniface. I'm just obsessed with murders and the mental aspect of trying to work out who did it."

Freddie

Age: 20

Job: Politics student

Location: Peterborough

Status: Faithful

Hoping to one day become the future Prime Minister, Freddie is joining The Traitors season 3 as a massive fan of the series.

"I've watched the first two series of the UK show and I've watched the Australian one as well," he explained. "I just think it's such an interesting concept for a game, it's very strategic and psychological, and it's all about using your brain.

"I think I've got a skill set that makes me suited to being quite good at the game and I thought why not just give it a go and apply, and here we are."

Minah

Age: 29

Job: Call centre manager

Location: Liverpool

Status: Traitor

Hoping to show her daughter anything is possible, Minah has entered the Traitors castle and has been bestowed the title of Traitor!

The 29-year-old had originally applied for season 2 of the show but was unable to take the time off work but now things have worked in her favour, and here she is!

Minah said: "Me, my husband and my mother-in-law love the show – we've watched the Australian one and the celebrity one from America. I think I like it because I like playing pranks on people and telling them little white lies, innocent lies – I think that's probably what drives me."

Armani

Age: 27

Job: Financial investigator

Location: London

Status: Traitor

While having a slight flare for the dramatics, Armani is managing to avoid detection as a Traitor.

As for why she applied, Armani explained she is is "very much into" problem solving games and has previously seen and enjoyed the series.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," she explained. "I might as well just go for it and see what happens."

Maia

Age: 25

Job: Full-time mum

Location: Essex

Status: Faithful

Maia entered the game alongside her older sister Armani, but the pair have admitted to their relation rather than keeping it a secret from their fellow players.

The 25-year-old is admittedly "very competitive", which could prove to work in her favour in the game.

Explaining further why she applied, Maia said: "Growing up, I was a natural liar. And then I stopped lying, because my family said it was getting really bad. I would always blame my sisters. So, I went the opposite way and I got really, really blunt instead. And it was blunt on the borderline of being rude.

"So, I’ve had to learn how to assess what's good to say, what's not good to say. Now I'm kind of excited to be able to lie again, if I’m being honest! I'm excited to be able to twist some stories and make up things and that will be kind of fun."

Tyler

Age: 29

Job: Barber

Location: Leicester

Status: Faithful

While a tad emotional, Tyler is excited to be on The Traitors season 3 and applied after watching the first season with his mum, never expecting to the accepted!

He added: "I just love the game, if this was just a local game, not on television or anything like that I'd still go for it because I just love it."

Leanne

Age: 28

Job: Veteran

Location: Holywell, North Wales

Status: Faithful

While Leanne may be a Faithful, she is concealing one key factor about herself: She was a soldier! Hoping to throw players off as a nail technician, could this work for or against her?

Asked why she applied, Leanne said: "It just looked like so much fun. I remember watching series one when I was pregnant with my partner, Sophie, and she said to me, 'Oh, you'd be so good at this', because I tend to get away with a lot.

"I tend to tell a few white lies to my boss for a couple of days off work, and I somehow always seem to get away with it. And she said you'd be so good at getting people wrapped around your finger. Sounds awful, doesn't it?! And I applied in January."

Anna

Age: 28

Job: Swimming teacher

Location: County Wicklow, Ireland

Status: Faithful

Anna initially watched The Traitors by accident after her housemates turned it on and next thing she knew, she binge-watched it in three days!

She explained that this series was the only one she thought she'd be good at as she has "a brain that can compartmentalise things".

"I think a lot of it does depend on your ability to control your emotions in that environment and your ability to get people on your side," she said. "Which are two things that I think I have a bit of a skill for."

Charlotte

Age: 32 at the time of filming, now 33

Job: Business director

Location: London

Status: Faithful

In a bid to ensure her fellow players believe she is a Faithful, Charlotte is lying to them by using a Welsh accent!

She applied for the series having loved the show since its inception and thought it would be "such a fun thing" to take part in.

Kasim

Age: 33

Job: Doctor

Location: Cambridge

Status: Faithful

Like a few of the other players, Kasim applied for The Traitors season 2 but never heard back, but after watching the season, he applied again.

"It was definitely the right thing for me, because season 2 was phenomenal," he said. "I thought whatever is going to happen next time, I need to be involved in it."

Linda

Age: 70

Job: Retired opera singer

Location: Hertfordshire

Status: Traitor

Linda was chosen by Claudia to become a Traitor and while Jake may be on her case, she has so far avoided some detection.

As for why she applied, Linda said: "It was in a mad moment that I looked it up on the internet and saw there was a form to apply, and I thought, 'I'm just going to apply, let's just see', never knowing that it would go this far. So yes, I love the show. I'm absolutely into it. I love the psychological game. I like the whole idea of fooling people."

Jake

Age: 28

Job: Project manager

Location: Barrow-in-Furness

Status: Faithful

Could Jake be our next Jazatha Christie? With him correctly guessing Linda's status, Jake could prove to be a problem for the Traitors.

Jake has always been into mysteries since a young age and believed he'd be good at The Traitors.

He added: "When you watch it from home, you're only getting half the experience because you know who the Traitors are, but I’ve always said that I'd love to be on the other side of it and be in the castle and get the full experience of not knowing anything and not trusting anyone."

Livi

Age: 26

Job: Beautician and model

Location: Horsham

Status: Faithful

It was actually Livi's mum who thought she'd do well and the show, but Livi admittedly never saw herself talking part.

But it was only when she applied, the odds worked in her favour!

Leon

Age: 40

Job: Retail store manager

Location: East Midlands

Status: Faithful

Leon loves the dynamic of The Traitors and initially heard about the show through his co-workers who watched the Australian series.

Asked why he applied, Leon said: "The Traitors really grabbed my attention. I like the fact that everyone is working towards the same goal in the tasks and putting money in the pot, but then as soon as that task is finished, it's weird how it’s suddenly a different game that you’re all playing. I just really wanted to be a part of it."

Francesca

Age: 44

Job: Interior designer

Location: East Sussex

Status: Faithful

Francesca watched the second season and thought to herself she could be "quite good" at the game.

She told the BBC: "I've got four sons, and I think they just see me as mum, and that I do Interior Design – I don't think they even realise what that involves. I believe they literally think I just plump cushions and hang some curtains.

"I also entered the competition on a personal level which was I really wanted to challenge myself. I suppose part of me wants to show my sons that anything's possible."

Dan

Age: 33

Job: Bank risk manager

Location: Liverpool

Status: Faithful

Dan has always loved strategy games and wanted the chance to do something that doesn't often occur in everyday life.

"The first two seasons were really engaging, and I wanted to be part of the next part of the story," he said.

Joe

Age: 37

Job: English teacher

Location: Southampton, originally Yorkshire

Status: Faithful

After initially saying he wasn't going to watch The Traitors, Joe's opinion was soon changed and he and his flatmate became "so invested" in the game.

He explained: "It was like real life Cluedo, it just looks so fun to do. It's puzzles and clues and a big old whodunnit."

Alex

Age: 29

Job: Care manager

Location: Whitby

Status: Faithful

Alex watched the first season with his mother-in-law, who had told him he'd be really good at it. After that, he "mulled it over, watched the second season," and decided to apply!

Former The Traitors season 3 contestants

Elen - BANISHED in episode 2

Age: 24

Job: Translator

Location: Cardiff

Status: Faithful

Elen loves the show's "authenticity" and that it isn't scripted, which was her first reason for applying, as well as thinking she would be "really good" at it.

Keith - 'MURDERED' in episode 2

Age: 65

Job: Window cleaner

Location: Bournemouth

Status: Faithful

Keith applied to be on The Traitors after watching Harry Clark's astonishing season 2 win, and told his wife he could do it.

"That's the reason why I applied," he said. "I like to play games like this, it excites me. It reminds me of an old TV programme called Columbo, he was a lieutenant, and he always knew who the murderer was. He knew they did it, but he just needed to work it out from start to finish.

"So, and that's why I applied, I just thought I could I enjoy these sorts of games."

Nathan - BANISHED in episode 2

Age: 39

Job: Property consultant

Location: London

Status: Faithful

Admittedly, Nathan applied for The Traitors season 3 "to win the money" as well as for the experience.

He explained: "It was actually my wife who said 'you would be amazing at this'. I reckon she's manifested this whole situation. She even said to me, 'Nathan, you're going to get the call that you're going on.'

"So, when I found out and I called her she said, 'Are you calling me to say you’re going on The Traitors?' She was like, 'I knew, I just had a feeling.' She’s been my rock since the process started. She's been amazing."

Yin - 'MURDERED' in episode 1

Age: 34

Job: Doctor of communication

Location: Berkshire

Status: Faithful

Yin became the first player from The Traitors season 3 to be banished from the castle after her intelligence became her downfall.

The 34-year-old was chosen to be a Faithful by Claudia, however this isn't exactly what she'd hope for.

Following her exit, Yin said: "I mean I obviously accept whatever fate I’m given. I do believe that these things happen for a reason, so there was a reason I had to be made a Faithful. But I was really desperately hoping that I’d get that tap from Claudia.

"As a Faithful, my time on the show is more unpredictable and less in my control. As a Faithful I could make it really work if I got through a critical period of chaos and then could properly exercise my communication science after a few days. But that first day I could not exercise that discipline, there just wasn’t enough time."

Fozia

Age: 50

Job: Community development manager

Location: Birmingham

Status: N/A

Fozia unfortunately did not make it to the castle after opting to sacrifice her place in the game in a new twist at the beginning of the series.

For Fozia, The Traitors was on her bucket list. She explained: "There are other shows where the game is answering general knowledge questions, and then you win a prize. Whereas this one was more strategic, psychological, it's twisted, and I love it.

"I used to get on the phone to my sister after watching and we'd chat all about it. 100 per cent loved it. Whoever was behind the concept and idea was bloody amazing!"

Jack

Age: 24 at the time of filming, 25 now

Job: Market trader and landscaper

Location: Yorkshire

Status: N/A

Jack was also another contestant that was eliminated before the game officially begun after he chose to exit the carriage, sacrificing his place in the castle.

But he originally applied for the show after his mum told him to! He added: "I was obsessed with the show, started watching it with my parents, and she just thought I would be a dead ringer to be on it.

"Also, the money isn't such a terrible incentive, there's more reasons than I can shake a stick at really, as to what I'd do with £120 grand! So, mother and money!"

Alexander

Age: 38

Job: Former British diplomat

Location: London

Status: N/A

Alexander was yet another player who sacrificed his place in the game after becoming the third contestant to exit their carriage.

But as for why he applied, Alexander said: "Firstly, I love doing new things, and I always take opportunities where I can...

"Secondly, I think it would be fun to bring my diplomatic skills to the game – a diplomat is meant to win people over and be good at influencing and negotiating!

"And finally, it's a show with heart."

The Traitors season 3 continues Wednesdays to Fridays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on iPlayer.

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.