There’s a wild Traitors theory related to the family tree – but is it credible?

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The Traitors is fantastic at getting everyone talking and sharing their ideas about what’s happening on the show.

This season feels a bit different, though. Many viewers watching at home think all the contestants are connected in some way – whether they’re family, dating, or just friends. There’s a lot of evidence suggesting everyone in the castle knows at least one other person.

Although it sounds strange, audiences have consistently been captivated by a family tree displayed in the castle. This was true even before Rachel and Stephen were given the challenge of using the tree to frame nine people for murder.

During the first fifteen minutes of the first episode, we learned that two of the contestants already knew each other, and later, another two were revealed to be related. This raises the question: are all the players somehow connected?

Scroll on as we dissect each connection in The Traitors castle.

The Traitors family tree theory: All the connections so far

Let’s kick things off with the links that have been confirmed.

Netty and Ross

Ross and Netty were surprised to discover they were connected, and they were the first players to share this news.

When the players first reached the castle, Netty let out a scream and immediately ran to Ross, embracing him tightly. It turned out the two had known each other for about ten years.

The exact nature of their initial connection wasn’t revealed, but Ross recently mentioned on social media that a friend in common brought them together.

In a TikTok video, Ross shared: “So let’s just clean this up and get this out of the way.

I met Netty through a friend of ours, Dan. He’s a photographer – I can send you his Instagram handle if you’d like.

They met at a basketball tournament in Bradford. I’ve run into Netty a few times since then when I’ve been out in London.

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Later, about a year or so after that, I ran into her a couple of times. I was with another friend during these encounters, but I’d rather not mention their name publicly.

He basically said he’d noticed a girl he was starting to like, and when I asked who it was, he pointed to Netty.

I said, “Hey, I actually know her. Would you like me to introduce you?”

Judy and Roxy

Judy and Roxy were then shown to be connected, but unlike previous pairings, they were actively trying to keep their relationship a secret from everyone else.

Roxy exclaimed that James was aggressively accusing Judy of being a traitor. While Roxy doesn’t know if the accusation is true – and thinks Judy seems nice – she admitted she’s likely biased since Judy is her mother, finishing her statement with a dramatic flourish.

She explained they’re keeping things private because she sees their relationship as a strong partnership. She feels very protective of her partner and doesn’t like hearing anyone criticize what she does.

Judy said adopting Roxy, when she was about five years old, was the best decision she ever made.

Judy described her as a truly wonderful person, both in character and appearance, and cautioned against underestimating her strength.

Ross and Ellie

After Ross was removed from the competition, it came out that he and Ellie had a past relationship. Fans had already noticed clues on their social media, and Ellie later confirmed the connection.

Ellie explained that she knew Ross wasn’t a Traitor – he was actually her boyfriend – and she intended to get revenge for his unfair removal from the castle.

Ross explained that keeping his relationship with Ellie a secret actually came very easily to him.

Whenever I interacted with Ellie, it always brightened my day. I was constantly stressed during the game, and she felt like a safe haven. It was confusing though, because I suspected she was a Traitor – she never talked to me when we were together, which seemed suspicious.

I’m really proud of Ellie and grateful she’s keeping things together for the family. As her biggest supporter, I’m rooting for her to win! I also hope her success will make my sacrifice worthwhile – I don’t want to have died for nothing.

And now for the slightly circumstantial but potentially plausible links…

Jessie and Jack

Viewers started to become suspicious of Jessie and Jack during the most recent episode of The Traitors, which aired on January 7th.

Throughout the mission, several players were accused of murder and locked in cages. The only way to release them was for another player who wasn’t accused to volunteer and help.

Jack was trapped in a cage, and Jessie promised to help him escape. To do so, she needed to collect ten skulls and carefully stack them on top of each other, which would unlock the cage and free Jack.

After Jack was released, he and Jessie hugged, and some people watching thought the hug seemed a little too comfortable.

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Rachel and Matthew

Okay, so after Claudia revealed who she’d picked as Traitors, Rachel and Matthew visibly breathed a sigh of relief – they thought they were both on the Faithful team. Looking back now, though, it’s clear Rachel was putting on an act! She totally played us all, and it was a brilliant move.

Matthew’s comment to Rachel – that he was glad she wasn’t a Traitor – was a little odd. It could have been harmless, but saying that to someone you’ve just met seems strange, and maybe there was more to it than met the eye.

Amanda and Maz

Okay, so everyone knew Amanda had a past life as a detective, but she’s been playing it close to the vest with the other contestants. But honestly, I was completely floored when Maz dropped the bombshell that he used to be a police officer! It was a real twist I didn’t see coming.

While there’s no solid evidence they ever collaborated on the police force, their family connection leaves open the possibility that they did.

You can continue watching season 4 of The Traitors on BBC One and BBC iPlayer starting Thursday, January 8th, 2026, at 8pm. If you’ve missed any previous seasons, seasons 1 through 3 are currently available on iPlayer.

Don’t miss The Traitors! Add it to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality competitions to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she reported on reality TV and celebrity news. Katelyn has a degree in Journalism.

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2026-01-08 19:38