Sharp-eyed fans of the hit BBC show The Traitors are convinced they have uncovered a vital clue to the identity of the mysterious new red-cloaked Secret Traitor. The show made its dramatic return on Thursday, 2 January 2026, introducing a fresh twist that has viewers scrutinising every frame for hints.
The Crucial Spelling Mistake
In the first episode, host Claudia Winkleman selected three regular Traitors in green cloaks: Rachel, Hugo, and Stephen. She then revealed a fourth, secret Traitor adorned in a distinctive red cloak, tasked with sowing extra discord. This anonymous figure's first job was to write down three names for the other Traitors to consider murdering.
The list included contestant Netty, a teacher from London. However, fans quickly noticed the name was misspelt as "Nettie" in the handwritten note. This seemingly small error has sparked a major theory among the show's devoted audience, who are now analysing handwriting and spelling patterns to unmask the red cloak.
Fan Theories and Suspicions Run Riot
Reaction on social media platform X was immediate. One viewer pointedly posted, "Let's all see who spells Netty's name wrong at the roundtable #TheTraitors." Another added, "The handwriting and the spelling of 'Nettie'... could pinpoint exactly who the secret Traitor is," vowing to watch for anyone who misspells Netty's name in future episodes.
Not everyone is convinced the clue is genuine. Some speculate it could be a deliberate red herring planted by the production team or the Secret Traitor themselves to misdirect both the Faithfuls and the audience. One fan suggested, "Handwriting is the only tool the secret traitor has to deflect attention away from themselves."
Other Contestants Under Scrutiny
While the spelling clue dominates discussion, other contestants have also aroused suspicion. Fiona, a Local Government Officer from Swansea, drew attention for her very animated facial expressions during the episode. Meanwhile, retired police detective Amanda is a prime suspect for some after she told Traitor Stephen, "I don't have the weight of being a traitor on my shoulders!" – a comment viewers interpreted as her knowing he does.
The new twist, which sees 22 contestants competing for a potential £120,000 prize, has both excited and frustrated the show's massive fanbase. One viewer joked about spending years criticising the Faithfuls for being unobservant, noting, "we're all about to get a taste of our own medicine" as they dive into detective work from their sofas.
The hunt for the red-cloaked Traitor continues, with the first potential victims being James, Netty, and Maz. Whether the spelling mistake is a genuine slip or a clever misdirection remains to be seen, but it has certainly set the investigative tone for the new series of the popular show, which is based on the Dutch format De Verraders.
