The Traitors will return to screens as the BBC acquires the rights to the US version

The Traitors will return to UK screens this week as the BBC has acquired the US version of the show.

The successful program came to a tense conclusion in December when Faithfuls Hannah, Aaron and Meryl emerged victorious after exposing Wilf as a traitor at the very last moment.

And while news of the second series has yet to be announced, fans of the show won’t have to wait long to get their fix as the American series begins Friday, January 13, and will feature both civilians and celebrities are.

Exciting! The Traitors will return to UK screens this week as the BBC has acquired the US version of the show

The show, which also made its US debut on Peacock this month, is hosted by actor Alan Cummings and will be filmed in the same Scottish castle as the UK version.

The American contestants will compete for a $250,000 (£205,000) prize pool which will feature famous faces including RHOBH star Brandi Glanville, Below Deck’s Kate Chastain and Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte.

The full boxset is available on BBC iPlayer on Friday, but those who enjoy the thrill of a cliffhanger can double-broadcast the program every Wednesday at 10.40pm for five weeks from 25 January.

Commenting on the news, Dan McGolpin, Director, iPlayer and Channels, said: “Following the huge success of The Traitors, which has been streamed more than 28 million times on BBC iPlayer and got the nation talking over the festive season, we are delighted , giving BBC viewers the chance to catch the brand new US series within hours of its release in America.

Exciting: The hit program came to an exciting conclusion in December as Faithfuls Hannah, Aaron and Meryl emerged victorious after exposing Wilf as a traitor at the very last moment (LR Hannah, Kieran, Meryl, Aaron, Wilfred)

“Hosted by the brilliant Alan Cumming and filmed in the same location as the British series, it’s a New Year’s treat for those looking for more treachery – all to be revealed in a moment on BBC iPlayer, BBC Three and BBC One.”

The British show’s debut series, which was hosted by Claudia Winkleman, ended in December and left Faithfuls Aaron Evans, 24, Meryl Williams, 25, and Hannah Byczkowski, 32, stunned to discover Wilf Webster was actually a traitor .

For the show, contestants sign up before a small number of players are secretly chosen by host Claudia to be The Traitors. The rest of the players are known as “The Faithful” and none of the Faithful know who the Traitors are.

Players are then eliminated when the traitors secretly meet and decide to “murder” one of the believers. When the group meets for breakfast the next morning, the “murdered” player does not appear.

The host with the most! The show will be hosted by actor Alan Cummings and will be filmed in the same Scottish castle as the UK version

All Star: The American contestants will compete for a $250,000 (£205,000) prize purse, which will feature famous faces including RHOBH star Brandi Glanville (pictured)

Then, later in the day, all players must meet at the “Round Table” and “banish” the player they suspect to be a traitor.

The person they choose then reveals whether they are a traitor or a believer before being eliminated from the show.

At the end of the game, the few remaining players share the prize pot if they are all loyal, but if there is one traitor left among them, the traitor takes all the prize money.

It comes as the BBC is reportedly planning a celebrity version of The Traitors after the first series of the reality competition was a hit with viewers.

A source told the Mirror: “Everyone has been blown away by how much love there has been for ‘The Traitors’ and a celebrity version is a natural next step.

Finale: The British show’s debut series, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, ended in December and left Faithfuls Aaron Evans, 24, Meryl Williams, 25, and Hannah Byczkowski, 32, stunned to discover Wilf Webster was in fact a traitor

“Viewers will see different sides of some big names as they try to manipulate others or uncover the truth about fellow players.”

And Traitors’ producers have since revealed which celebrities they would like to star on the show, with Rylan Clark, Kathy Burke and Russell T. Davies topping their list.

In an interview with Metro.co.uk, executive producers Sarah Fay and Toni Ireland shared who they think would be part of their ideal celebrity cast.

Sarah told the publication, “I think we would want people who were so invested in the game and wanting to play the game, and I think that brings the drama so well.

Mystery: The Show features contestants signing up before a small number of players are secretly chosen to be The Traitors. The rest of the players are known as “The Faithful” and none of the Faithful know who the Traitors are

“I’d like to see Rylan [Clark]he would be amazing, but so is Kathy Burke. I mean, Russell T. Davies is a fan. I think I’d love to have a mix of different types of celebs too.

Toni added: “It could be pretty good to see Kathy Burke call someone out at the round table.”

The celebrity issue is believed to be planned as a charity issue for Children in Need or Comic Relief.

Claudia herself has already named a number of stars she would like to see take part in the mental and physical challenges, including Alison Hammond and former EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt.

She said: “Victoria Coren, Kirsty Young, Adam Woodyatt, Stephen Fry, Alison Hammond… let’s do it!”

The Traitors US is available to stream on BBC iPlayer from Friday 13th January. The show will be available as double bills on Wednesdays at 10.40pm on BBC One for 5 weeks from 25 January.

Celebrity version: The Traitors producers are looking for the celebrities best suited for their next A-list version of the BBC One show, which saw three winners bag their share of £101,050 (pictured, series winners 2022).