The wait is basically over. After months of speculation and blurry paparazzi shots of Alan Cumming in increasingly extravagant plaid capes, the third installment of Peacock’s breakout hit is finally hitting our screens. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably been scouring the internet trying to figure out exactly how much time you need to clear in your schedule. You want to know about The Traitors Season 3 how many episodes there are because, let's be real, this is a show built for binge-watching, not casual viewing.
Based on the rollout patterns of the first two seasons and the production schedule out of Scotland, we are looking at a total of 11 to 12 episodes for Season 3.
Wait. Let's look closer.
Season 1 gave us 10 episodes plus a reunion. Season 2 followed suit but felt meatier because the cast was, frankly, more chaotic. Peacock hasn't reinvented the wheel here. They found a formula that works: a slow-burn start, a mid-season massacre, and a finale that usually leaves everyone screaming at their televisions. If you count the reunion special—which is basically mandatory viewing at this point to see the "Faithfuls" realize how badly they were played—you’re looking at a 12-week commitment if they stick to a weekly release.
Breaking Down The Traitors Season 3 How Many Episodes and Release Schedule
Usually, Peacock drops the first three episodes all at once. It’s a smart move. They get you hooked on the "Round Table" drama early, and then they make you suffer by switching to a weekly cadence. Expect the first block to drop on January 9, 2026, with subsequent episodes following every Thursday.
Why Thursday? It's the sweet spot for reality TV discourse. It gives the "Shield" theories time to breathe before the weekend.
🔗 Read more: Shamea Morton and the Real Housewives of Atlanta: What Really Happened to Her Peach
Honestly, the episode count matters less than the pacing. In past seasons, we’ve seen the "traitor" recruitment happen around episode 3 or 4. If this season follows the UK or Australian versions, which often have slightly different structures, we might see a mid-season twist that extends the run. But for the US version, 11 primary episodes is the gold standard.
Who is actually in the castle this time?
The cast list for Season 3 is a fever dream. Seriously.
We have Tom Sandoval. Whether you love him or (more likely) love to tweet about him, his presence guarantees that the social dynamics will be absolute wreckage. Then you’ve got Chrishell Stause from Selling Sunset. She’s used to fake smiles and backstabbing, but can she handle a cold Scottish castle and a dungeon?
Then there are the heavy hitters from Survivor and Big Brother.
- Rob Mariano (Boston Rob): The man is a literal statue of reality TV strategy.
- Tony Vlachos: A two-time Survivor winner who is essentially a human tornado.
- Carolyn Wiger: The chaotic energy we didn't know we needed.
When you put Boston Rob and Tony in a room together, the episode count almost feels too short. You could watch those two play rock-paper-scissors for twenty episodes and it would still be top-tier entertainment. The tension between the "Gamers" (the people who play for a living) and the "Bravo-lebrities" (the people who live for the drama) is the engine that drives this show.
💡 You might also like: Who is Really in the Enola Holmes 2 Cast? A Look at the Faces Behind the Mystery
Why the Episode Count Might Feel Different This Year
There’s a nuance to how Peacock handles the edit. Last season, fans complained that some episodes felt a bit "filler-heavy" during the missions. You know the ones—the cast running through a forest to find gold coins for a prize pot that they probably won’t even win.
This year, rumors from the set suggest the missions are more integrated into the "murder" mechanics. This could mean more "hidden" content tucked into the episodes. Even if the total number of episodes stays at 11 or 12, the runtime might push closer to the 60-minute mark consistently.
Sam Rees-Jones, the executive producer, has often spoken about how the UK and US versions share DNA but differ in "theatricality." The US version leans heavily into the camp. Alan Cumming isn't just a host; he’s a character. That theatricality requires room to breathe. If the producers feel like they have enough footage of Sandoval crying in a buttery-yellow sweater, they might even stretch the season to 13 episodes. But don't bet the house on it.
The Logistics of the Scottish Highlands
Filming at Ardross Castle is a logistical nightmare but a visual dream. The production team usually wraps filming in about three weeks. That sounds fast, right? It is. They film nearly 24/7.
When you see the contestants looking haggard at 3:00 AM, that’s not makeup. That’s genuine sleep deprivation. This condensed filming schedule is why we don't get 22-episode seasons like an old-school network show. The cast would literally lose their minds.
📖 Related: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
- The "Traitor" selection happens on Day 1.
- Murders happen every night.
- Banishments happen every evening.
If you do the math, with 21 contestants starting the game, you need roughly 10-12 "events" to whittle them down to a final three or four. If they do a "Double Murder" or a "Fake Banishment," that adds an episode. It’s a flexible geometry.
What to do while you wait for the next drop
If you're worried about The Traitors Season 3 how many episodes are left after you've binged the first three, I highly recommend checking out the international versions. The UK version (hosted by Claudia Winkleman) is arguably more intense because the contestants aren't famous. They actually need the money. It changes the stakes.
The Australian Season 2 is also legendary for having one of the most frustrating, brilliant, and absolutely insane finales in the history of the franchise. It will make your blood boil, but it’s essential viewing for any Traitors completionist.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Viewing Experience
To get the most out of Season 3, you need to go beyond just watching the episodes. The "metagame" is where the real fun happens.
- Follow the "Cast Clues": Before an episode airs, look at the contestants' Instagram stories. If they are suddenly hanging out together in NYC or LA, it might hint at alliances that formed during filming.
- Track the Prize Pot: Keep a tally of how much money they actually earn versus how much they lose. It’s often a telling sign of who is actually trying to win (the Faithfuls) and who is just trying to stay under the radar (the Traitors).
- Set a "Thursday Blackout": Since Peacock drops episodes at 6:00 AM ET / 3:00 AM PT, spoilers hit Twitter (X) almost instantly. If you can't watch it before work, mute the names of the cast members to avoid having the "murder" ruined for you.
- Re-watch the Premiere: The first episode always has subtle "tells" during the shoulder-tap sequence. Watch the eyes. People who are nervous usually blink more when Alan is walking behind them. It’s a classic psychological giveaway.
The third season is shaping up to be the most explosive yet, mainly because the "gamers" are now coming in with specific strategies to counter the "Bravo" social game. Whether it lasts 11 episodes or 13, the carnage at Ardross Castle is going to be mandatory morning-after conversation for the next three months.