The Traitors: New Blood Cast: Meet All 22 Contestants

The Traitors: New Blood cast of 22 civilian contestants announced by NBC
Table of Contents

NBC has confirmed the full cast for The Traitors: New Blood, the franchise’s first season built entirely around civilians. The 22 contestants are competing for a prize NBC describes as “up to $250,000,” under returning host Alan Cumming, filming at Ardross Castle in Scotland.

See our winner predictions, updated after every episode.

The season premiered September 17, 2026, on NBC and Peacock. Nine episodes have aired; 10 of the original 22 contestants remain, and the prize pot stands at $145,300.

Ages are reported by Deadline; hometowns and professions come primarily from NBC, supplemented by Deadline, TheWrap and Entertainment Weekly. This page updates after each episode as new roles and eliminations are confirmed.

Spoiler warning: This article includes Episodes 1-9 developments, including Traitor identities, Accomplice status and eliminations.

The Traitors: New Blood Cast Status

NameAgeHometownOccupationStatusRole
Abbey Benjamin37Mangham, LANurseActiveFaithful*
Abby Lee29Saint Paul, MNAstrophysicistMurdered, Ep. 8Faithful*
Arisa Thomas36Los Angeles, CADog groomerBanished, Ep. 4Faithful
Ben McDonnell34Granbury, TXBarrel racerActiveFaithful*
Clyde Moser32Charleston, SCTheater teacherActiveFaithful*
Jay Vinnedge36Oklahoma City, OKPhysicianActiveFaithful*
Joe Vanella44Wantagh, NYFuneral directorActiveTraitor
Katie Fites23Jacksonville, FLMarketing managerActiveTraitor (recruited Ep. 3)
Kim Daily37Houston, TXLawyerMurdered, Ep. 1Faithful
Kriste Lewis52Hattiesburg, MSRealtorActiveFaithful*
Logan Smith26Gatlinburg, TNRealtorMurdered, Ep. 4Faithful
Madeline Kostopulos26San Diego, CAConstruction managerBanished, Ep. 2Faithful
Mark Zgoda26Phillipsburg, NJPersonal trainer*Murdered, Ep. 7Faithful
Michael Foote38New York, NYTrial lawyerBanished, Ep. 6Faithful
Morgan Cook30Midland, MIContent creatorMurdered, Ep. 9Faithful*
Niyyah Hayes29Indianapolis, INTherapistMurdered, Ep. 6Faithful
Shane Beatty32Staten Island, NYIronworkerActiveFaithful*
Sherry Kuehl65Leawood, KSWriterBanished Ep 5Faithful
Tomica Adams54Boston, MAUnited Airlines captainBanished, Ep. 8Traitor
Victor Vollbrechthausen26New York, NYBusiness executiveActiveFaithful*
Wyatt Gillespie26Ligonier, PAIndustrial designer and illustratorActiveFaithful*
Xavier Scruggs38Wesley Chapel, FLFormer MLB first baseman and ESPN analystMurdered, Ep. 3Accomplice

*On screen, only the Traitors’ identities and eliminated players’ roles have been confirmed so far; remaining roles reflect OpenThreadNews’ episode-by-episode coverage. Mark Zgoda is officially listed as a personal trainer, though his own EW interview describes him as a business consultant at a Big Four firm; see his full entry below.

Full Cast List

Full Cast: Age, Occupation, Hometown and Status

Every contestant on The Traitors: New Blood, sortable by column. Tap a header to sort.

Contestant Age Occupation Hometown Status
Abbey Benjamin37NurseMangham, LAActive
Abby Lee29AstrophysicistSaint Paul, MNMurdered, Ep. 8
Arisa Thomas36Dog groomerLos Angeles, CABanished (Ep 4)
Ben McDonnell34Barrel racerGranbury, TXActive
Clyde Moser32TeacherCharleston, SCActive
Jay Vinnedge36PhysicianOklahoma City, OKActive
Joe Vanella44Funeral directorWantagh, NYActive (Traitor)
Katie Fites23Marketing managerJacksonville, FLActive (Traitor)
Kim Daily37LawyerHouston, TXMurdered (Ep 2)
Kriste Lewis52RealtorHattiesburg, MSActive
Logan Smith26RealtorGatlinburg, TNMurdered (Ep 4)
Madeline Kostopulos26Construction managerSan Diego, CABanished (Ep 2)
Mark Zgoda26Personal trainerPhillipsburg, NJMurdered, Ep. 7
Michael Foote38LawyerNew York, NYBanished (Ep 6)
Morgan Cook30Content creatorMidland, MIMurdered, Ep. 9
Niyyah Hayes29TherapistIndianapolis, INMurdered (Ep 6)
Shane Beatty32IronworkerStaten Island, NYActive
Sherry Kuehl65WriterLeawood, KSBanished (Ep 5)
Tomica Adams54PilotBoston, MABanished, Ep. 8
Victor Vollbrechthausen26Business executiveNew York, NYActive
Wyatt Gillespie26DesignerLigonier, PAActive
Xavier Scruggs38MLB analystWesley Chapel, FLMurdered (Ep 3)
Logan Smith, realtor from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in The Traitors: New Blood cast

Logan Smith’s official spelling is confirmed with no known name conflict, per NBC, EW and Deadline. His planned URL still needs a routine sitemap collision check before it goes live, since “Logan Smith” is a common name.

Abbey Benjamin

Abbey Benjamin is 37, according to Deadline, and comes from Mangham, Louisiana, according to TheWrap and Deadline. She works as a nurse. In her Entertainment Weekly interview, Abbey describes herself as a “medical mom” to a daughter with disabilities, and says she applied to New Blood partly to do something for herself after years of putting her children first. She plans to bring the calm decision making she has developed navigating doctors and medical teams into the game. Her self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Be Smiling 24/7.” She remains active after Episode 2, with her role not publicly confirmed. Status: Active through Episode 5 (Faithful); no eliminations, alliances, or major conflicts documented for her through Episode 4.

Abby Lee

Abby Lee is 29, per Deadline, and hails from Saint Paul, Minnesota, according to TheWrap and Deadline. She works as an astrophysicist, a background Entertainment Weekly says involves interpreting limited information to understand complex systems. Abby says she intends to use research and analytical skills to identify the Traitors systematically. Her self-declared superlative, per TheWrap and EW, is “Most Likely to Actually Read One of the Books in the Castle Library.” Abby also won one of the three Shields awarded in the opening mission and remains active after Episode 2, with her role not publicly confirmed.

Status: Murdered in Episode 8 (Faithful); won an Episode 1 shield and was named to the Episode 4 murder shortlist.

Arisa Thomas

Arisa Thomas is 36, per Deadline, and comes from Los Angeles, California, confirmed by NBC. She works as a dog groomer. In her EW interview, Arisa says people see her as the “friendly, cute, bubbly one,” but wants to show that “the good girls can be naughty as well,” describing her preferred Traitors persona as a “bad naughty chihuahua.” Her self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Overpack.” She remains active after Episode 2, with her role not publicly confirmed. Status: Banished in Episode 4 (13-5-1) and revealed as a Faithful.

Ben McDonnell

Ben McDonnell is 34, per Deadline, and comes from Granbury, Texas, confirmed by NBC. He is a barrel racer. Ben tells EW that his “Gemini split personality” will help him become everyone’s friend while working against them, and that he leans on humor in tense situations. His self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “The Social Butterfly.” He remains active after Episode 2, with his role not publicly confirmed. Status: Active through Episode 5 (Faithful); shared an Episode 3 crypt clue with Michael Foote.

Clyde Moser

Clyde Moser is 32, per Deadline, and comes from Charleston, South Carolina, confirmed by NBC. He works as a teacher, specifically a theater teacher, according to EW. Clyde says theater has exposed him to many different kinds of people, and teaching has given him experience resolving conflict. A longtime viewer of the franchise, he says he has not yet seen a contestant quite like himself on the show. His self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Make a Dramatic Entrance.” He remains active after Episode 2, with his role not publicly confirmed. Status: Active through Episode 5 (Faithful); won the Episode 3 shield and was named to the Episode 4 murder shortlist.

Jay Vinnedge

Jay Vinnedge is 36, per Deadline, and hails from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, confirmed by NBC. He works as a physician, and his background also includes military service and work as a combat medic, according to EW. Jay says he grew up in what was originally a single-parent household, joined the military at 19, and worked through the COVID-19 pandemic in rural Oklahoma. He describes himself as someone who deliberately seeks out difficult experiences, and calls himself a “huge Big Brother live feeder.” He remains active after Episode 2, with his role not publicly confirmed. Status: Active through Episode 5 (Faithful); his Episode 5 case against Katie collapsed under pressure, he voted for Sherry while insisting Katie is still a Traitor, and Niyyah called him out for it.

Joe Vanella

Joe Vanella is 44, per Deadline, and comes from Wantagh, New York, confirmed by NBC. He works as a funeral director. Joe tells EW that his profession requires navigating emotionally charged conversations, an advantage he expects to carry into the castle’s tense environment. He adds, only half joking, that on Long Island “we sniff out BS like nobody else.” His self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to be the Loudest Person in the Room.” Joe was confirmed as an original Traitor by Alan Cumming in Episode 1. Alongside fellow Traitor Tomica Adams, he selected Katie Fites and Xavier Scruggs as Accomplices and participated in the decision that led to Kim Daily’s murder. He remains an active Traitor after Episode 2. Status: Active through Episode 8; an original Traitor, now the exposed Traitor after naming Tomica. His poisoned-apple attempt on Morgan Cook failed on camera and he ate the apple himself; Victor noticed his behavior.

Katie Fites

Katie Fites is 23, per Deadline, making her one of the youngest in the cast, and comes from Jacksonville, Florida, confirmed by NBC. She works in marketing, described by TheWrap as a marketing manager and social media coordinator. Katie tells EW she is an unusually strong people person for her age, someone who can build a connection with a stranger quickly, and that she is already comfortable being interviewed since she works in entertainment. Katie was selected by Joe Vanella and Tomica Adams as an Accomplice and participated with Xavier Scruggs in the secret task that resulted in Kim Daily’s murder. Katie is an Accomplice competing for the third Traitor position at the start of Episode 3; her final status remains unresolved at the end of Episode 2. She remains active. Status: Active through Episode 8, now one of only two remaining Traitors; recruited as a Traitor in Episode 3. Survived Jay’s Episode 5 accusation and suggested Morgan Cook as the apple-murder target.

Kim Daily

Kim Daily is 37, per Deadline, and comes from Houston, Texas, confirmed by NBC. She works as a lawyer. Kim tells EW that people sometimes find her intimidating simply because of how she carries herself and dresses, and that she would welcome being cast as a Traitor for exactly that reason. Her self-declared superlative, per EW, is “Most Likely to Break Out in Song or Dance.” Kim was murdered in Episode 1 and confirmed as a Faithful after her elimination. She had initially presented herself to the group as a nurturing basketball coach rather than disclosing that she was a lawyer. Status: Murdered in Episode 1 (revealed in Episode 2) and confirmed as a Faithful.

Kriste Lewis

Kriste Lewis is 52, per Deadline, and comes from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, confirmed by NBC. She works as a realtor. Kriste tells EW she believes in the law of attraction and plans to enter the game with deliberately positive energy. At the Episode 2 Round Table, Kriste said she heard Madeline Kostopulos say, “I shouldn’t have picked Kim,” and interpreted the comment as evidence that Madeline was a Traitor. Madeline and Victor Vollbrechthausen disputed that interpretation, with Madeline maintaining she had said “wouldn’t,” not “shouldn’t.” Kriste’s accusation helped redirect suspicion toward Madeline, who was ultimately banished. Kriste remains active after Episode 2, with her role not publicly confirmed. Status: Active through Episode 5 (Faithful); correctly guessed Xavier lost the Traitor bake-off and was named to the Episode 4 murder shortlist.

Logan Smith

Logan Smith is 26, per Deadline, and comes from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, confirmed by NBC. He works as a realtor. Logan tells EW he plans to play the “simple, honest, Southern guy” while privately treating the other contestants like “checker pieces.” His self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Sell You Something.” Logan remains active after Episode 2, with his role not publicly confirmed. Status: Murdered (revealed in Episode 4) and confirmed as a Faithful.

Madeline Kostopulos

Madeline Kostopulos is 26, per Deadline, and comes from San Diego, California, confirmed by NBC. She works as a construction manager. Madeline tells EW she keeps a journal, and jokes that if she becomes a Traitor, she could write in it as though she were a Faithful to help convince herself of the role. Her self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Make Too Many Jokes.” Madeline won one of the three Shields in the opening mission but became a target at the Episode 2 Round Table after Kriste Lewis’s accusation. She was banished in Episode 2 and revealed herself as a Faithful. Status: Banished in Episode 2 (13-7-1) and revealed as a Faithful.

Mark Zgoda

Mark Zgoda is 26, per Deadline, and comes from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, confirmed by NBC. He is officially listed as a personal trainer, though in his EW interview he also describes himself as a business consultant at a Big Four firm. Mark compares his approach to the game to business consulting: walking into vague situations, isolating the variables that matter, and explaining complex problems clearly. He says he was competitive enough as a child that he treated recess “like it was the Super Bowl.” His self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Forget They Are on a TV Show.” He remains active after Episode 2, with his role not publicly confirmed. Status: Murdered in Episode 7 and confirmed as a Faithful; named to the Episode 4 murder shortlist.

Michael Foote

Michael Foote is 38, per Deadline, and comes from New York, New York, confirmed by NBC. He works as a lawyer, specifically a trial attorney and criminal defense lawyer, according to EW. Michael says he is in court nearly every day, arguing before judges and juries, and jokes that he is the only person in the castle who knows “exactly how to get away with murder,” having represented clients accused of it. He says he prefers working within a close duo rather than a large alliance. His self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Stand on Business.” During the Episode 2 Shield discussion, Michael questioned Victor, Madeline and Abby’s decisions to pursue protection. He remains active after Episode 2, with his role not publicly confirmed. Status: Banished in Episode 6 (8-3-3-1) and revealed as a Faithful; opened Episode 2 pushing on Victor, shared an Episode 3 crypt clue with Ben McDonnell, and said the Katie Fites theory deserved attention in Episode 5.

Morgan Cook

Morgan Cook is 30, and comes from Midland, Michigan, confirmed by NBC. She works as a content creator. Morgan describes herself to EW as perceptive and “the right amount of paranoid,” and says her plan is to stay relatively quiet early on, observe closely, and share information selectively rather than becoming the loudest voice in the room. During the Episode 2 Round Table, Morgan questioned whether Victor was overcompensating or simply acting as a selfish Faithful. Her self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Get Lost in the Castle.” She was murdered in Episode 9. Status: Murdered in Episode 9 (Faithful); named to the Episode 4 murder shortlist, did not catch the poisoned apple, and was confirmed safe at the Episode 5 wake.

Niyyah Hayes

Niyyah Hayes is 29, per Deadline, and comes from Indianapolis, Indiana, confirmed by NBC. She works as a therapist and is a clinical-psychology Psy.D. student at the University of Indianapolis. Niyyah says her clinical training has taught her to build rapport quickly and gather information without revealing much about herself, and jokes that therapists mostly repeat things back until a client reaches their own “epiphany.” She describes her intended game style as a social “chameleon.” Her self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Say What Everyone’s Thinking.” Her role in the game remains unconfirmed through Episode 2. She remains active. Status: Murdered in Episode 6 with the cursed apple and revealed as a Faithful; named to the Episode 4 murder shortlist and called Jay out at the Episode 5 Round Table for voting Sherry instead of his accused targets.

Shane Beatty

Shane Beatty is 32, per Deadline, and comes from Staten Island, New York, confirmed by NBC. He works as an ironworker. Shane tells EW that people often call him a “gentle giant,” and that he wants to “kill them with kindness,” betting that his size creates a misleadingly tough first impression. His self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Tallest in the Castle.” He remains active after Episode 2, with his role not publicly confirmed. Status: Active through Episode 8 (Faithful); held the Power of the Pardon in Episode 8; noted that both Xavier and Logan were eliminated after suspecting Katie.

Sherry Kuehl

Sherry Kuehl is 65, per Deadline, the oldest contestant in the cast based on that reporting, and comes from Leawood, Kansas, confirmed by NBC. She works as a writer. Sherry says her decades of life experience have sharpened her ability to read people and recognize duplicity, and that she plans to build a mental “mood board” of the people she meets, observing quietly before making any big moves. Her self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Make You a Character in My Next Book.” Sherry remains active after Episode 2, with her role not publicly confirmed. She remains the oldest contestant based on the listed ages. Status: Banished in Episode 5 (Faithful), 11-5-1, after Abby Lee built a case around her three-Traitors comment; she had been named to the Episode 4 murder shortlist.

Tomica Adams

Tomica Adams is 54, per Deadline, and comes from Boston, Massachusetts, confirmed by NBC. She works as a pilot. Tomica tells EW that flying has made her comfortable managing people, opinions and emotions under pressure, and jokes that as a “September baby,” she wants control and plans to lean into something of a “mama role” in the house. Her self-declared superlative, per TheWrap, is “Most Likely to Cry When Laughing.” Tomica was confirmed as an original Traitor by Alan Cumming in Episode 1. Alongside fellow Traitor Joe Vanella, she selected Katie and Xavier as Accomplices and participated in choosing Kim Daily as the first murder target. She remains an active Traitor after Episode 2. Status: Banished in Episode 8, revealed as a Traitor; an original Traitor; named to the Episode 4 murder shortlist.

Victor Vollbrechthausen

Victor Vollbrechthausen is 26, per Deadline, and lives in New York, New York, though he is originally from Westfield, New Jersey, according to TheWrap. He works in business development as a business executive. Victor graduated from Tufts University in 2022, where he was a competitive swimmer and earned Division III All America recognition as part of a freestyle relay, per TheWrap and TraitorsNewBlood.digital, a fan-maintained site. He describes himself to EW as the cast’s “biggest flirt,” says he has been “gaslighting” himself into believing he will be chosen as a Traitor, and plans to build a dependable alliance of four or five people rather than lean on deception alone. His role and status will be confirmed once the season premieres. Still in the competition. Status: Active through Episode 8 (Faithful); won an Episode 1 shield, survived 5 votes at the Episode 3/4 Round Table, was named to the Episode 4 murder shortlist, and was confirmed safe at the Episode 5 wake after noticing Joe’s suspicious apple behavior. In Episode 8, Shane Beatty pardoned him, overturning the banishment, and he remains in the game as a Faithful.

Wyatt Gillespie

Wyatt Gillespie is 26, per Deadline, and comes from Ligonier, Pennsylvania, confirmed by NBC. He works as an industrial designer and illustrator, and as a 3D designer at Jack Morton Worldwide in broadcast set design. Status: Active through Episode 5 (Faithful). He voted for Victor at the first Round Table and for Arisa at the second, and he was one of seven players kept off the Episode 4 murder shortlist; no documented alliances.

Xavier Scruggs

Xavier Scruggs is 38, per Deadline, and comes from Wesley Chapel, Florida, confirmed by NBC. He is a former Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cardinals and Marlins, and now works as an MLB analyst, according to TheWrap and Deadline. Xavier says his baseball career trained him to recognize tendencies, body language and patterns, and that he wants to be cast as a Traitor specifically to step outside the teamwork-and-loyalty mindset his pro athletic career instilled in him. Xavier was selected as an Accomplice alongside Katie Fites and participated in the secret task that resulted in Kim Daily’s murder. He will compete against Katie for the third Traitor position at the beginning of Episode 3. He remains active after Episode 2. Status: Murdered (revealed in Episode 3); he competed as the Accomplice.

Who Are the Traitors?

ContestantOccupationRoleWhen Confirmed
Joe VanellaFuneral directorOriginal TraitorEpisode 1
Tomica AdamsUnited Airlines captainOriginal TraitorEpisode 1
Katie FitesMarketing managerTraitor (recruited Ep. 3)Episode 3
Xavier ScruggsFormer MLB first baseman and ESPN analystFaithful (Accomplice)Episode 3 (murdered)

Joe Vanella and Tomica Adams were named the season’s original Traitors in Episode 1. They then secretly selected Katie Fites and Xavier Scruggs as Accomplices, tasking the pair with helping carry out the season’s first murder. Katie was recruited as the season’s third Traitor in Episode 3, while Xavier was murdered, with his death revealed in Episode 3 and his role confirmed as the Accomplice. For a full breakdown of how the Traitor, Faithful and Accomplice roles work, see The Traitors Explained. Tomica Adams was banished in Episode 8, the first Traitor banished this season, leaving Joe Vanella and Katie Fites as the two remaining Traitors.

Who Are the Faithfuls?

Twelve contestants have been definitively confirmed through Episode 9, all after elimination: Kim Daily, Madeline Kostopulos, Arisa Thomas, Logan Smith, Sherry Kuehl, Niyyah Hayes, Michael Foote, Mark Zgoda, Abby Lee, and Morgan Cook were revealed as Faithfuls, Xavier Scruggs was revealed as the Accomplice, and Tomica Adams was revealed as a Traitor.

The remaining 10 active contestants are listed as Faithful, though on screen, only the Traitors’ identities and eliminated players’ roles have been confirmed so far. Joe Vanella and Katie Fites are the season’s two Traitors.

Who Has Been Eliminated?

Twelve contestants have been eliminated through Episode 9: Kim Daily was murdered in Episode 1 (revealed in Episode 2), Madeline Kostopulos was banished in Episode 2 (13-7-1), Xavier Scruggs was murdered in Episode 3, Arisa Thomas was banished in Episode 4 (13-5-1), Logan Smith was murdered in Episode 4, and Sherry Kuehl was banished in Episode 5 (11-5-1). Mark Zgoda was murdered in Episode 7. In Episode 8, Shane Beatty used the Power of the Pardon to save Victor Vollbrechthausen, then the castle banished Tomica Adams 10-2, the season’s first caught Traitor, and Abby Lee was murdered. In Episode 9, Morgan Cook was murdered by the poisoned chalice, the season’s seventh murder, and no one was banished.

OrderContestantMethodVoteRoleRevealed episode
1Kim DailyMurderedN/AFaithfulEpisode 2
2Madeline KostopulosBanished13-7-1FaithfulEpisode 2
3Xavier ScruggsMurderedN/AFaithful (Accomplice)Episode 3
4Arisa ThomasBanished13-5-1FaithfulEpisode 4
5Logan SmithMurderedN/AFaithfulEpisode 4
6Sherry KuehlBanished11-5-1FaithfulEpisode 5
7Niyyah HayesMurderedN/AFaithfulEpisode 6
8Michael FooteBanished8-3-3-1FaithfulEpisode 6
9Mark ZgodaMurderedN/AFaithfulEpisode 7
10Abby LeeMurderedN/AFaithfulEpisode 8
11Tomica AdamsBanished10-2TraitorEpisode 8
12Morgan CookMurderedN/AFaithfulEpisode 9

Voting Records

At the Episode 2 roundtable, Madeline Kostopulos was banished 13-7-1 over Victor Vollbrechthausen (7 votes) and Kriste Lewis (1 vote).

VoterVoted for
Abbey BenjaminMadeline Kostopulos
Abby LeeMadeline Kostopulos
Arisa ThomasMadeline Kostopulos
Ben McDonnellVictor Vollbrechthausen
Clyde MoserVictor Vollbrechthausen
Jay VinnedgeMadeline Kostopulos
Joe VanellaVictor Vollbrechthausen
Katie FitesVictor Vollbrechthausen
Kriste LewisMadeline Kostopulos
Logan SmithMadeline Kostopulos
Madeline KostopulosVictor Vollbrechthausen
Mark ZgodaMadeline Kostopulos
Michael FooteVictor Vollbrechthausen
Morgan CookMadeline Kostopulos
Niyyah HayesMadeline Kostopulos
Shane BeattyMadeline Kostopulos
Sherry KuehlMadeline Kostopulos
Tomica AdamsMadeline Kostopulos
Victor VollbrechthausenKriste Lewis
Wyatt GillespieVictor Vollbrechthausen
Xavier ScruggsMadeline Kostopulos

At the Episode 4 roundtable, Arisa Thomas was banished 13-5-1 over Victor Vollbrechthausen (5 votes) and Michael Foote (1 vote).

VoterVoted for
Abbey BenjaminArisa Thomas
Abby LeeArisa Thomas
Arisa ThomasMichael Foote
Ben McDonnellArisa Thomas
Clyde MoserArisa Thomas
Jay VinnedgeVictor Vollbrechthausen
Joe VanellaVictor Vollbrechthausen
Katie FitesArisa Thomas
Kriste LewisArisa Thomas
Logan SmithArisa Thomas
Mark ZgodaArisa Thomas
Michael FooteArisa Thomas
Morgan CookVictor Vollbrechthausen
Niyyah HayesArisa Thomas
Shane BeattyVictor Vollbrechthausen
Sherry KuehlArisa Thomas
Tomica AdamsVictor Vollbrechthausen
Victor VollbrechthausenArisa Thomas
Wyatt GillespieArisa Thomas

Episode 5: Sherry Kuehl was banished 11-5-1. Jay Vinnedge received 5 votes and Michael Foote received 1 vote.

VoterVoted for
Abbey BenjaminSherry Kuehl
Abby LeeSherry Kuehl
Ben McDonnellSherry Kuehl
Clyde MoserSherry Kuehl
Jay VinnedgeSherry Kuehl
Joe VanellaSherry Kuehl
Katie FitesSherry Kuehl
Kriste LewisJay Vinnedge
Mark ZgodaJay Vinnedge
Michael FooteSherry Kuehl
Morgan CookSherry Kuehl
Niyyah HayesJay Vinnedge
Shane BeattyJay Vinnedge
Sherry KuehlJay Vinnedge
Tomica AdamsSherry Kuehl
Victor VollbrechthausenMichael Foote
Wyatt GillespieSherry Kuehl

At the Episode 6 roundtable, Michael Foote was banished 8-3-3-1 over Wyatt Gillespie (3 votes), Victor Vollbrechthausen (3 votes) and Tomica Adams (1 vote).

VoterVoted for
Abbey BenjaminMichael Foote
Abby LeeWyatt Gillespie
Ben McDonnellMichael Foote
Clyde MoserMichael Foote
Jay VinnedgeVictor Vollbrechthausen
Joe VanellaWyatt Gillespie
Katie FitesMichael Foote
Kriste LewisWyatt Gillespie
Mark ZgodaMichael Foote
Michael FooteVictor Vollbrechthausen
Morgan CookMichael Foote
Shane BeattyMichael Foote
Tomica AdamsVictor Vollbrechthausen
Victor VollbrechthausenTomica Adams
Wyatt GillespieMichael Foote

At the Episode 8 roundtable, Tomica Adams was banished 10-2 over Victor Vollbrechthausen (2 votes).

VoterVoted for
Abbey BenjaminTomica Adams
Ben McDonnellTomica Adams
Clyde MoserTomica Adams
Jay VinnedgeVictor Vollbrechthausen
Joe VanellaTomica Adams
Katie FitesTomica Adams
Kriste LewisTomica Adams
Morgan CookTomica Adams
Shane BeattyTomica Adams
Tomica AdamsVictor Vollbrechthausen
Victor VollbrechthausenTomica Adams
Wyatt GillespieTomica Adams

Murder Shortlist and Shields

Abby Lee, Madeline Kostopulos, and Victor Vollbrechthausen won shields in Episode 1. Clyde Moser won the Episode 3 shield. In Episode 9, Victor Vollbrechthausen won the only shield, found in a teddy-bear chest during the haunted cabin mission, and kept it secret from the other players. In Episode 4, the Traitors named a 10-person murder shortlist, leaving 7 contestants safe.

CategoryContestants
Episode 1 shield winnersAbby Lee, Madeline Kostopulos, Victor Vollbrechthausen
Episode 3 shield winnerClyde Moser
Episode 4 murder shortlist (10)Abby Lee, Clyde Moser, Kriste Lewis, Mark Zgoda, Morgan Cook, Niyyah Hayes, Sherry Kuehl, Tomica Adams, Victor Vollbrechthausen, Logan Smith
Episode 4 safe (7)Abbey Benjamin, Ben McDonnell, Jay Vinnedge, Katie Fites, Michael Foote, Shane Beatty, Wyatt Gillespie
Episode 5/6 murderNiyyah Hayes was murdered with the cursed apple (cliffhanger resolved in Episode 6); safe: Tomica Adams, Kriste Lewis, Abby Lee, Morgan Cook, Victor Vollbrechthausen
Episode 9 shield winnerVictor Vollbrechthausen

FAQs

How many contestants are on The Traitors: New Blood?

22 contestants began the season. 10 remain active after Episode 9, following Kim Daily’s murder (Episode 1), Madeline Kostopulos’ banishment (Episode 2), Xavier Scruggs’ murder (Episode 3), Arisa Thomas’ banishment (Episode 4), Logan Smith’s murder (Episode 4), Sherry Kuehl’s banishment (Episode 5), Niyyah Hayes’ murder (Episode 6), Michael Foote’s banishment (Episode 6), Mark Zgoda’s murder (Episode 7), Abby Lee’s murder (Episode 8), Tomica Adams’ banishment (Episode 8), and Morgan Cook’s murder (Episode 9).

Are any of the cast members returning reality TV personalities?

No. NBC has confirmed the cast is made up entirely of civilians, a change from prior U.S. seasons, which mixed reality stars and celebrities with civilians.

Who is the oldest contestant on The Traitors: New Blood?

Per Deadline’s reported age list, Sherry Kuehl, listed at 65, appears to be the oldest contestant.

Who is the youngest contestant?

Per the same list, Katie Fites, listed at 23, is the youngest contestant.

How were the contestants selected?

NBCUniversal has said the cast was chosen from a large applicant pool. The exact number reported has changed over time; see the next question for details.

What is the applicant pool discrepancy about?

NBCUniversal and Peacock currently state the cast was selected from more than 80,000 applicants. An earlier TVLine report from June, sourced to the network, cited 60,000. The gap most likely reflects two different points in the casting timeline rather than a contradiction, and 80,000+ is the current official figure.

Is the $250,000 prize guaranteed?

No. NBC describes the prize as “up to $250,000,” language that suggests a scalable or conditional prize. Through Episode 9, the prize pot stands at $145,300.

How does this cast differ from previous seasons?

The biggest change is who is competing. Previous U.S. seasons of The Traitors mixed reality TV personalities and celebrities with civilians. New Blood’s cast of 22 is made up entirely of everyday Americans, a shift both NBC and Peacock have confirmed.

Where is The Traitors: New Blood filmed?

The Traitors: New Blood is filmed at Ardross Castle in Scotland, the same location used for the previous U.S. seasons of the franchise.

When did The Traitors: New Blood premiere?

The Traitors: New Blood premiered on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with the episodes streaming on Peacock.

When is the next episode of The Traitors: New Blood?

The next episode, Episode 10, titled ‘The Sun, the Moon and the Truth’, airs Thursday, November 12, 2026, on NBC (streaming on Peacock the next day).

Who hosts The Traitors: New Blood?

Alan Cumming returns as host and executive producer.

Who are the Traitors on The Traitors: New Blood?

Joe Vanella and Tomica Adams were selected as the season’s original Traitors in Episode 1. Katie Fites was recruited as the third Traitor in Episode 3. Tomica Adams was banished in Episode 8, leaving Joe Vanella and Katie Fites as the two remaining Traitors.

Who are the Faithfuls on The Traitors: New Blood?

Eleven contestants have been definitively confirmed through Episode 8, all after elimination: Kim Daily, Madeline Kostopulos, Arisa Thomas, Logan Smith, Sherry Kuehl, Niyyah Hayes, Michael Foote, Mark Zgoda, and Abby Lee were revealed as Faithfuls, Xavier Scruggs was revealed as the Accomplice, and Tomica Adams was revealed as a Traitor.

Who has been eliminated from The Traitors: New Blood?

Eleven contestants have been eliminated through Episode 8. Kim Daily was murdered in Episode 1 (revealed Episode 2) and was a Faithful. Madeline Kostopulos was banished in Episode 2 (13-7-1) and was a Faithful. Xavier Scruggs was murdered in Episode 3 and was the Accomplice. Arisa Thomas was banished in Episode 4 (13-5-1) and was a Faithful. Logan Smith was murdered in Episode 4 and was a Faithful. Sherry Kuehl was banished in Episode 5 (11-5-1) and was a Faithful. Niyyah Hayes was murdered in Episode 6 and was a Faithful. Michael Foote was banished in Episode 6 (8-3-3-1) and was a Faithful. Mark Zgoda was murdered in Episode 7 and was a Faithful. Abby Lee was murdered in Episode 8 and was a Faithful. Tomica Adams was banished in Episode 8 (10-2) and was a Traitor.

Who was murdered first on The Traitors: New Blood?

Kim Daily was murdered in Episode 1. NBC’s official post-episode coverage identifies her as a Faithful.

Who was the first contestant banished?

Madeline Kostopulos was the first contestant banished, in Episode 2. She revealed herself as a Faithful.

Is Katie Fites a Traitor?

Yes. Katie Fites was recruited as the season’s third Traitor in Episode 3, after initially serving as an Accomplice.

Is Xavier Scruggs a Traitor?

No. Xavier Scruggs was the Accomplice, not a Traitor. He was murdered, with his death revealed in Episode 3.

What is the Accomplice twist?

Joe Vanella and Tomica Adams secretly selected Katie Fites and Xavier Scruggs as Accomplices to help carry out the season’s first murder. The twist was resolved in Episode 3: Katie was recruited as the third Traitor, and Xavier was murdered.

Why was Madeline Kostopulos banished?

Kriste Lewis interpreted a comment Madeline made about Kim Daily’s murder as an admission of involvement. Madeline denied it and was backed by Victor Vollbrechthausen, but the group voted her out at the first Round Table, after which she was revealed as a Faithful.

Maya Chen, TV & Film Editor at OpenThreadNews

Written for TV & Film

Maya Chen

Maya has covered television and film for five years, starting as a recapper for a streaming fan site before moving into entertainment journalism. She watches an unreasonable amount of TV across every genre, which makes her the right person to tell you what is actually worth your time. At OpenThreadNews, she leads coverage of reality TV, scripted series, and film, with episode breakdowns, cast features, and industry analysis. Her approach is straightforward: no spoilers without warning, no hype without substance, and always an eye on the craft behind the entertainment.

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