NBC brings its reality competition The Traitors: New Blood to television on September 21, marking the first time the U.S. series features an all-civilian cast. Hosted by Alan Cumming in the Scottish Highlands, the upcoming fifth season pits 22 everyday Americans against each other for a cash prize of up to $250,000.
The hit reality series is shaking up its formula after wrapping a celebrity-studded fourth season earlier this year. Previous U.S. iterations relied on those already in the public eye, though Season 1 welcomed a mix of celebs and civilians. Now, the network is shifting its focus to ordinary contestants from various professional backgrounds and regions across the country.
The 22 Everyday Americans Competing in Season 5
The upcoming season brings together a diverse group of 22 participants whose regular day jobs range from medical fields to trades and legal professions. The official contestant roster spans several states, bringing together unique skill sets and perspectives.
According to coverage from UPI, the cast features Abbey Benjamin, a 37-year-old nurse from Mangham, Louisiana; Abby Lee, a 29-year-old astrophysicist from Saint Paul, Minnesota; Arisa Thomas, a 36-year-old dog groomer from Los Angeles; Ben McDonnell, a 34-year-old barrel racer from Granbury, Texas; Clyde Moser, a 32-year-old teacher from Charleston, South Carolina; Jay Vinnedge, a 36-year-old physician from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Joe Vanella, a 44-year-old funeral director from Wantagh, New York; and Katie Fites, a 23-year-old marketing manager from Jacksonville, Florida.
The roster continues with Kim Daly, a 37-year-old lawyer from Houston, Texas; Kriste Lewis, a 52-year-old realtor from Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Logan Smith, a 26-year-old realtor from Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Madeline Kostopulos, a 26-year-old construction manager from San Diego, California; Mark Zgoda, a 26-year-old personal trainer from Phillipsburg, New Jersey; Michael Foote, a 38-year-old lawyer from New York City; Morgan Cook, a 30-year-old content creator from Midland, Michigan; and Niyyah Hayes, a 29-year-old therapist from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Rounding out the 22 players are Shane Beatty, a 32-year-old ironworker from Staten Island, New York; Sherry Kuehl, a 65-year-old writer from Leawood, Kansas; Tomica Adams, a 54-year-old pilot from Boston; Victor Vollbrechthausen, a 26-year-old business executive from New York City; Wyatt Gillespie, a 26-year-old designer from Ligonier, Pennsylvania; and Xavier Scruggs, a 38-year-old MLB analyst from Wesley Chapel, Florida.
How the Social Deduction Game Works
Contestants arrive at the Scottish Highlands where they must navigate a high-stakes psychological adventure. The core mechanics of the competition divide the players into two distinct groups tasked with outsmarting one another.
Fan Early Reactions and Suspicion Online
Social media users wasted no time dissecting the newly released cast photos as soon as the network unveiled the lineup. Viewers immediately began speculating about who might pull the strings as a traitor and who appears genuine as a faithful.
Fans in the comments section of the official reveal pointed fingers right away. One viewer wrote, Michael & Logan are immediately suspicious
, while another added, Sherry so could be a traitor
.
Among the civilian players, sports fans quickly recognized Xavier Scruggs as a former MLB player and current sports broadcaster. Observers note that his background in professional sports could either provide a strategic advantage in forging alliances or place an immediate target on his back.
Broadcast Schedule, Premiere Dates, and Streaming Options
The rollout for the new season differs from previous cycles of the reality franchise. The series will air on NBC first before making its episodes available to stream on Peacock.
The competition officially premieres on September 21 at 8 p.m. ET with two hour-long episodes on NBC. Following the premiere, episodes will air weekly on Thursdays and become available to stream the next day on Peacock.
Streaming viewers can access Peacock through two primary subscription tiers. Peacock Premium costs $10.99 per month with ads, while Peacock Premium Plus runs $16.99 per month and removes ads. Subscribers can also choose annual plans priced at $109.99 with ads or $169.99 without ads, which effectively provide 12 months of service for the price of 10.
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