The Traitors season two FIRST LOOK: Claudia Winkleman introduces shocking twist in castmates’ first mission in launch show episode TONIGHT

A first-look clip has been released ahead of The Traitors' return for season two on Wednesday night.

Claudia Winkleman, 51, will once again host the nail-biting psychological reality competition that sees 22 strangers play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust in the hope of winning up to £120,000.

In the show, most of the contestants are 'Faithfuls' and must figure out who among them are 'Traitors' – who have the ability to 'kill' a fellow contestant every night.

The group has daily 'bans' in which they must vote to kick out someone they believe is a traitor, while working together on challenges to raise money for the prize fund.

In the first episode, Claudia selects which participants will secretly become the new Traitors.

As well as offering the opportunity to raise £15,000 towards the prize pool, Claudia added a surprising new layer to the challenges

In addition, the participants compete in various 'missions', the aim of which so far has been to increase the prize pool.

But while addressing the castmates for the 2024 season as they stood in line next to a lake, Claudia revealed that this year's missions have arrived with a new twist.

As well as offering the opportunity to raise £15,000 towards the prize pool, Claudia added a surprising new layer to the challenges.

She said, “I have some news too. This year you are not only playing for money during these missions, but also for your life.

“This, players, is a shield. Three of you can win one of these during a mission. There are two in the lake and one on land.

'This protects you from being murdered by the traitors, but it does not protect you from exile.

'To be clear: if you choose a shield, you are protected from murder. But at what price?

“What you really have to consider is what is more important: your money or your life?”

Players will have the chance to win a shield, which would protect them from assassination by the Traitors

The first mission has the 22 new castmates lining up next to a lake

Two of the shields are in the lake and one is up for grabs on land

Tensions run high as Claudia also selects the new Traitors in the first episode

A banishment ceremony takes place every night, giving the cast the chance to get rid of those they suspect are traitors.

Instead, however, they often accidentally banish a fellow believer, provoked by the manipulations of the real traitors.

The 22 contestants have been announced ahead of the show – including a man brought back to life after being pronounced dead at the side of the road, a parliamentary affairs adviser, a disability model and a clairvoyant.

They compete for a prize of up to £120,000, with multiple winners or just one. The prize also varies depending on whether a participant is a 'loyal' or a 'traitor'.

Claudia has admitted she had to be convinced by BBC bosses to take part in a second series.

Speaking to Heat magazine, she said: 'We're going again, but I'm nervous and weird about it.

“I originally said, 'Let's just leave it as this magical thing that happened. Then the head of the BBC took my temperature. I just don't want people's expectations to be so high.'

The 22 participants in The Traitors have been announced – including a man brought back to life after being pronounced dead at the side of the road, and a parliamentary affairs adviser

Claudia, 51, has returned to the castle in the Scottish highlands as the show returns on Wednesday evening

The Traitors is a nerve-wracking psychological reality competition in which 22 strangers play the ultimate game of detection, backstabbing and trust, in the hope of winning up to £120,000

During the chat, she also gave her thoughts on why the show was such a success when it debuted.

She explains: 'There were 20,000 registrations for the first series, and around 130,000 for the second series.

“What I like about our cast is that they're not interested in being famous, they want to play the game and win the money.”

This series, Claudia is joined by comedian Ed Gamble who presents a special spin-off podcast for the hit show.

The first season of The Traitors, set in a Scottish castle, started in late November 2022.

The Traitors starts tonight on BBC One. You can watch the first three episodes afterwards on BBC iPlayer.

Claudia has admitted she had to be convinced by BBC bosses to return for a second season