The Traitors season 3 episode 2 recap: Nathan and Linda’s showdown as traitors plot their next murder

BBC’s The Traitors has returned with its third season, offering more suspense, deception, and drama than ever before. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, the show premiered on January 1, 2024, bringing together 25 contestants in a Scottish castle.

This unique game tests players' ability to identify and eliminate traitors while ensuring the faithful players prevail. However, if traitors succeed, they walk away with the entire prize pot, leaving the faithful empty-handed.

The first two episodes have already delivered high-stakes drama. Four contestants were eliminated before entering the castle, while episode 1 concluded with Yin becoming the first murder victim. Episode 2 kept the tension alive with two banishments and a murder, leaving the remaining contestants strategizing and pointing fingers.

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What happened in episode 2 of The Traitors season 3?

The second episode kicked off with the roundtable, where the faithful and traitors deliberated on whom to banish. Nathan, a 39-year-old property consultant from London, was voted out after being perceived as a “game player.” The vote was closely contested, with Nathan going head-to-head against traitor Linda, a 70-year-old retired opera singer. Ultimately, the faithful were misled, and Nathan was sent home.

Later that night, the traitors—Linda, Minah, and Armani—plotted their next move. They decided to murder Keith, a 65-year-old window cleaner from Bournemouth, believing it would shock the group and destabilize the faithful. Keith, upon his elimination, reflected that the traitors likely saw him as a threat.

The episode culminated in another roundtable session, where Elen, a translator from Cardiff, was banished. The decision came after a discussion among the contestants, marking her as the third player to exit in episode 2.

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Claudia Winkleman on the premiere and season 3

Host Claudia Winkleman shared her insights about the show and its new season during an interview with BBC on January 2, 2025. Winkleman discussed how season 3 has introduced changes to keep the format fresh while retaining the core principles that make the series a success.

The new season began with 25 contestants from diverse backgrounds, such as a priest, a retired opera singer, a beautician, and a British Army soldier.

Notably, four players—Jack, Alexander, Fozia, and another unnamed contestant—were eliminated before even stepping into the castle. In the premiere episode, Yin became the first murder victim of the season.

Winkleman highlighted how the casting team worked to include new dynamics, such as sisters openly participating together. She also revealed her biggest fear while filming: accidentally revealing the traitors’ identities during the roundtables. Emphasizing the excitement of watching contestants strategize and deceive each other, Winkleman shared:

“The absolute beauty of The Traitors is the game itself.”

She noted that the decision to select traitors involves careful deliberation by the casting team, adding new twists to ensure the series remains engaging.

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This season has witnessed some format changes. From contestants adopting fake accents to introducing family dynamics, the strategies and relationships have become more complex. The traitors’ group currently includes Linda, Minah, and Armani, but as the game progresses, recruitment and eliminations could shift the power dynamics further.

The Traitors airs on BBC One at 9 pm GMT from Wednesday to Friday. It is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.