(Spoiler Alert)

“The Traitors” US Season four premiered on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 and once again delivered intense deception, strategic gameplay and dramatic eliminations that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Hosted by Alan Cumming, the show maintains its dark and theatrical tone, and his dramatic introductions make the castle setting feel mysterious and exciting.

He doesn’t just host the show – he adds personality and flair, making every episode feel larger than a normal reality competition.

The contestants this season were a diverse mix of reality stars, athletes and entertainers, which made the dynamics extremely interesting. The cast included:

Candiace Dillard Bassett (The Real Housewives of Potomac)

Caroline Stanbury (Real Housewives of Dubai)

Colton Underwood (The Bachelor)

Donna Kelsey (NFL Mom)

Dorinda Medley (Real Housewives of New York City)

Eric Nam (Singer)

Ian Terry (Big Brother)

Yam Yam Arocho (Survivor)

Johnny Weir (Figure Skater)

Kristen Kish (Top Chef Host)

Lisa Rinna (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills)

Mark Ballas (Dancing with the Stars)

Maura Higgins (Love Island)

Michael Rapaport (Actor/Comedian)

Monét X Change (RuPaul’s Drag Race)

Natalie Anderson (Survivor)

Porsha Williams (Real Housewives of Atlanta)

Rob Cesternino (Survivor)

Rob Rausch (Love Island)

Ron Funches (Comedian)

Stephen Colletti (Laguna Beach / One Tree Hill)

Tara Lipinski (Figure Skater)

Tiffany Mitchell (Basketball Wives)

The season delivered great drama, with the Traitors being Candiace Bassett, Lisa Rinna and Rob Rausch, which created a strong tension from the start.

Having Donna Kelsey as the Secret Traitor later in the game added an unexpected twist, and the recruitment of Eric Nam kept the strategy shifting as alliances changed.

The gameplay felt unpredictable because players constantly had to rethink who they could trust.

The final fire ceremony was intense. The final players were Maura Higgins, Rob Rausch, Tara Lipinski and Eric Nam. Eric and Tara voted out, leaving Maura and Rob R. at the end.

In the final reveal, Rob R. admitted he had been a traitor the entire time and ultimately won the game. It was a surprising ending that rewarded strategic gameplay.

Overall, the season was exciting and filled with deception and competition. I liked how alliances changed and how the final moments created real suspense.

Rob R.’s win made sense because of the movie he made throughout the game, and it was a strong season that kept me engaged until the end. I give this season five out of five stars.