Meet 'The Traitors: New Blood' Cast: Your Guide to the Civilian Players
Our take
The resurgence of reality television, particularly the strategic and psychologically engaging variety, continues to reshape the entertainment landscape. NBC’s early release of “The Traitors: New Blood,” a civilian cast edition preceding the anticipated celebrity season, is a fascinating development demonstrating the franchise's growing power and the audience’s appetite for complex social games. This move isn't merely a scheduling quirk; it's a calculated maneuver capitalizing on the momentum generated by the initial celebrity season and further solidifying the show's position within the competitive reality TV market. It acknowledges that the core appeal of "The Traitors" isn’t solely reliant on star power, but rather the intricate dynamics of deception and deduction that unfold amongst its players. Consider how the broader fashion trends influencing the show’s aesthetic align with the current cultural moment, as explored in [They're Here: The 6 Major Handbag Trends of Fall 2026], underscoring a shift towards understated elegance and considered styling that resonates with the show’s overall tone. And, as Dakota Johnson recently exemplified, even casual styling can be elevated with a touch of intentionality – a sensibility mirrored in the contestants' presentation and the show’s overall visual language, as detailed in [Dakota Johnson Dressed Up Her Blazer-and-Jeans With 2026's Biggest Ballet Flats Trend].
The decision to introduce a civilian cast is particularly intriguing. While celebrity editions often draw initial viewership due to the recognizable faces, they can sometimes lack the raw, unpredictable authenticity that fuels compelling reality television. A group of everyday individuals, stripped of pre-existing fame and public perception, arguably offers a purer test of social strategy and manipulation. The dynamics will be less about pre-conceived notions of a celebrity's persona and more about immediate impressions and calculated alliances. This shift also allows the show to explore a broader range of personalities and backgrounds, potentially broadening its appeal beyond those primarily interested in celebrity culture. The franchise’s roots in the British version, as mentioned in the article and demonstrated by [The Celebrity Traitors UK How To Watch], highlight a tradition of blending psychological gameplay with a sophisticated, subtly dramatic presentation. American audiences are clearly responding to this formula, demanding more and indicating a willingness to invest in a series that prioritizes strategic depth over manufactured drama.
Beyond the immediate impact on viewership, this early release of "The Traitors: New Blood" signals a broader trend within the reality television space: a move towards more intellectually stimulating and strategically complex formats. We’ve seen this in the rise of shows like “Survivor” and “The Circle,” which reward not just physical prowess or charisma but also social intelligence and the ability to read and manipulate others. “The Traitors” takes this concept even further by introducing a layer of hidden roles and constant suspicion, creating a uniquely tense and engaging viewing experience. This is a departure from the more superficial, often emotionally volatile formats that have dominated the genre in the past. It suggests that audiences are increasingly discerning, seeking out content that challenges them intellectually and offers a glimpse into the complexities of human behavior under pressure. The emphasis on subtle details and deliberate choices, even in seemingly minor moments, reflects a shift towards a more considered and nuanced form of entertainment.
Ultimately, the success of "The Traitors: New Blood" will depend on the cast's ability to deliver compelling performances and maintain the show's inherent tension. Will this civilian cast prove as captivating as their celebrity counterparts? And, more importantly, will this early release pave the way for a future where reality television prioritizes strategic depth and psychological complexity over fleeting fame, pushing the genre towards a more thoughtful and enduring form of entertainment? The early indicators certainly suggest a promising trajectory, and it will be fascinating to observe how this franchise continues to evolve and influence the broader landscape of reality television.
Calling all Traitors fans—our favorite game of social deception is back early! As we wait for the next star-studded celebrity season, NBC has tapped into the franchise's British roots with the first American non-celebrity season, titled The Traitors: New Blood.
The new spinoff—once again hosted by Alan Cumming and airing through November 19—tests its cast's capacity for bargaining and backstabbing through several exciting twists, including new civilian Accomplices(!) for the Traitors. The lucky contestants vying for up to $250,000 range from everyday healthcare workers, teachers, and realtors to semi-famous podcasters and content creators. Wherever you land on the debate over whether someone with 1 million IG followers counts as a "normie," you can't deny this cast has some great potential for a good Traitors season.
Read on for everything you need to know about the inaugural cast of The Traitors: New Blood, from their game plans for the castle to their initial assignments of Traitor or Faithful.
Abbey Benjamin
Instagram: @abbeybenj
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 37
Hometown: Mangham, Louisiana
Occupation: Nurse
Game Plan: "I love people, and I think that in the game of Traitors, where trust is currency, my biggest strategy is to be myself and to gain as much trust as possible with the Traitors and the Faithful so I'm able to stay until the very end."
Abby Lee
Instagram: @abbylee_.7
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 29
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Occupation: Astrophysicist
Game Plan: "My role model is Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones, and I would love to play like him. There's a lot of strategies I want to adopt."
Arisa Thomas
Instagram: @arisathegroomer
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 36
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Occupation: Dog groomer
Game Plan: "I think me working with animals will make people naturally trust me, and that's what I'm banking on. They wouldn't suspect someone like me, who has golden retriever energy, to be a naughty little chihuahua."
Ben McDonnell
Instagram: @mcdonnellben
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 34
Hometown: Granbury, Texas
Occupation: Barrel racer, actor, and podcaster
Game Plan: "I'm gonna go in and probably be the girls' gay best friend, and they're gonna love me. And then the guys, they're gonna see me as an asset. I mean, I'm a 6'3" Sasquatch. So just because I might have designer shoes, I'm ranch-y as shit. So I can go out there...I think I'll be an asset to both sides."
Clyde Moser
Instagram: @astoldbyclyde
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 32
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina
Occupation: Teacher
Game Plan: "My strategy going into this is to be as likable and as friendly as possible, because you want to keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.
Jay Vinnedge
Instagram: @wellroundedphysician
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 36
Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Occupation: Physician
Game Plan: "I'm willing to do what it takes to get to the end. I find that when I'm watching other programs, people sometimes don't prioritize winning the way they should, and as somebody who loves things like this show, I can't have that."
Joe Vanella
Instagram: @thejoevanella
Affiliation: Traitor
Age: 44
Hometown: Wantagh, New York
Occupation: Funeral director
Game Plan: "I'm everybody's friend until I don't need them. And then that's it. I'm not going to say I don't care about them, but in the show, I'm going to be friendly to everybody...I'll be on their side until the game dictates otherwise."
Katie Fites
Instagram: @katie.fites
Affiliation: Accomplice
Age: 32
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Occupation: Marketing manager
Game Plan: "I'm going to give them hell. I am ready to do what feels natural. I'm going to trust my gut going into this, and I think that I have the potential to make a really fun environment while also reading people, connecting with people, and then, if necessary, backstabbing people if it saves me."
Kim Daly
Instagram: @iamkimdaily
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 37
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Occupation: Lawyer
Game Plan: "This is a game that requires massive amounts of adaptability. Adaptability is my strength. Adaptability is my skill. Once I get to know people, what their motivations are, what drives them, what their reasons are, I want to help them with their reasons as long as it helps me with mine."
Kriste Lewis
Instagram: @kr1ste
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 52
Hometown: Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Occupation: Realtor
Game Plan: "I hope that they see kindness. That's the first thing that I want them to see. So whether I'm a Traitor or a Faithful, I'll definitely use my kindness just to get close with the other contestants."
Logan Smith
Instagram: @realtywithsmitty
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 26
Hometown: Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Occupation: Realtor
Game Plan: "I say all the time, 'I'm a representative of your best interest. I'm not a salesman. I don't sell houses. I make sure that you get what you need.' I know how to negotiate, and I'm really good at getting what I want. So, we'll see if I can relate that to this show or not."
Madeline Kostopulos
Instagram: @madelinekostopulos
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 26
Hometown: San Diego, California
Occupation: Construction manager
Game Plan: "I want them distracted. I want them wondering where I got my outfit, not where I just was."
Mark Zgoda
Instagram: @markzgoda
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 26
Hometown: Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Occupation: Personal trainer
Game Plan: "At some point, you got to step up, and I want to go down guns blazing. I would like to be the person making shots. If it comes down to five or four of us, split the group up and just take home the money."
Michael Foote
Instagram: @michael_foote__
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 38
Hometown: New York, New York
Occupation: Lawyer, podcaster, and influencer
Game Plan: "I think I'm great at deception and will be excellent in this game, because as a criminal defense attorney, I have to go to court every day and oftentimes represent people who are not innocent. I'm ready to put on that same performance that I have in the courtroom in the castle."
Morgan Cook
Instagram: @morganevelyncook
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 30
Hometown: Midland, Michigan
Occupation: Content creator and influencer
Game Plan: "I think I've developed a bit of a knack for deciphering which ones are lying, overconfident manipulators, and which ones are truthful, overconfident manipulators. That's not really something I want the Traitors to be aware of. I would rather everyone just think, 'Morgan is a content creator. She makes videos of herself.' And whatever they want to deduce about my intelligence from that, they are free to do so."
Niyyah Hayes
Instagram: @niyyahx
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 29
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Occupation: Therapist
Game Plan: "I talk for a living, so one of my strategies is going to be to shut up because I tend to talk a lot. I plan to watch and listen and be a chameleon—to be whoever I need to be to get to the end."
Shane Beatty
Instagram: @shanebeatty_
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 32
Hometown: Staten Island, New York
Occupation: Ironworker
Game Plan: "I'm thinking that introducing new names to a conversation might be the smartest move. I'm looking to just play my own game, but I don't want to piggyback off of too many people. I want to separate myself from the crowd a little bit."
Sherry Kuehl
Instagram: @snarky.in.the.suburbs
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 65
Hometown: Leawood, Kansas
Occupation: Writer and influencer
Game Plan: "I think one of the best things I have going for me is that I'm an excellent listener. I learned a long time ago: You learn more from listening than talking."
Tomica Adams
Instagram: @ladyofthesky
Affiliation: Traitor
Age: 54
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Occupation: Pilot
Game Plan: "I think being a mother will truly help me be intuitive about what's happening in the game. I think that that's a ninth sense. But then being a pilot, working with so many people and being very in control of things; being able to hold my stress level down will be an advantage for me in this game."
Victor Vollbrechthausen
Instagram: @victorvoll
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 26
Hometown: New York, New York
Occupation: Business executive
Game Plan: "I think you have to build a tribe and really have them vouch for you instead of you have to vouch for yourself. I'm gonna—hopefully—find four or five people that are gonna be my shooters, they're gonna be my ride-or-dies, and have them take me to the victory."
Wyatt Gillespie
Instagram: @wyatt_gillespie
Affiliation: Faithful
Age: 26
Hometown: Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Designer
Game Plan: "I think I plan to play a little bit dumb and run circles around people when they underestimate me because I will just over-deliver at the end."
Xavier Scruggs
Instagram: @xavierscruggs
Affiliation: Accomplice
Age: 38
Hometown: Wesley Chapel, Florida
Occupation: MLB analyst
Game Plan: "I think that's where playing a long season in Major League Baseball helps you understand, there's going to be certain highs and certain lows, and you have to be strategic about how you're going to use your energy—exude your energy—at the right times."
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