The cast of Celebrity Traitors has begun arriving in Scotland this weekend, including several notable names such as Maya Jama, Miranda Hart, Ross Kemp, and James Blunt, who made their appearances on Sunday. The star-studded lineup for the second season of the popular BBC game show was confirmed earlier, with big names like Richard E. Grant, Michael Sheen, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Rob Beckett joining the ranks.

Ross Kemp, best known for his role in EastEnders, was one of the first arrivals. At 61, he was seen enthusiastically giving a thumbs-up to the cameras as he made his way to a waiting car, signaling his readiness to bring some of his well-known East End flair to the Celebrity Traitors castle. The pictures also showed Julie Hesmondhalgh, another Coronation Street icon, arriving for filming ahead of the rest of the group. Ross appeared eager and thrilled to be part of the game show, which is set in a grand castle in Scotland.

Alongside Ross, comedian Joanne McNally and Love Island host Maya Jama were among those touching down in Scotland shortly after. Maya, 31, was seen sporting a relaxed look with a white t-shirt, sunglasses, and white jeans, all smiles as she arrived for filming. Although Celebrity Traitors is a significant departure from her usual work as a TV host, it’s been reported that Maya took a huge pay cut to join the show, accepting a flat fee of £40,000. This is much lower than her usual £800,000 fee for hosting Love Island. Maya was reportedly drawn to the show after binge-watching it with her boyfriend, footballer Rúben Dias, and becoming hooked on the drama.

Miranda Hart and singer James Blunt also made their way to Scotland, where they were photographed upon arrival. Miranda kept it simple with a long black blouse, cut-off blue jeans, and white trainers, while James Blunt, who kept a low profile in a baseball cap, wore jeans as he walked across the tarmac from his private jet. The arrival of these celebrities only increased anticipation for the new season, which promises to bring even more tension and excitement than the first.

As the cast made their way to the Scottish Highlands, several other stars were also seen making their way to the location. Among them was Jerry Hall, the American model and actress, who arrived in style. She was photographed at Inverness airport, looking glamorous with dark shades, her long blonde hair flowing freely, and her phone to her ear. Bella Ramsey, known for her roles in Game of Thrones and The Last of Us, was one of the first stars to land in Scotland, opting for a dressed-down look. Sebastian Croft, known for his roles in Heartstopper and Dope Girls, was also seen arriving in a relaxed outfit, including jeans, a hoodie, and a baseball cap. He was carrying a sports bag, and inside it, a dog teddy bear could be seen sticking out.

The legendary actor Richard E. Grant, best known for his performances in Withnail and I, The Iron Lady, and Nuremberg, was also snapped arriving with a big grin on his face. He wore a brown blazer and a high-neck top to protect himself from the chilly Scottish air. Richard seemed in high spirits as he made his way to the car awaiting him at the airport, his enthusiasm clear despite the cold temperatures.

Journalist and presenter Amol Rajan also arrived in Scotland, opting for a more casual look consisting of blue jeans, brown boots, and a padded black puffer jacket. Other notable names confirmed for the show include Michael Sheen, James Acaster, Joe Lycett, King Kenny, Rob Beckett, and Romesh Ranganathan. Also joining the show are Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Industry actress Myha’la, Professor Hannah Fry, and My Mad Fat Diary star Sharon Rooney. While fans have yet to see some of these celebrities arrive in Scotland, it’s likely they will land later, or possibly by means other than plane.

While the celebrity arrivals have been all smiles so far, the real tension is set to unfold once filming begins. The show will divide the cast into two groups: the Faithfuls and the Traitors. The Faithfuls will have to work together to uncover which of their fellow contestants are secretly working against them. The Traitors, meanwhile, will try to sabotage their efforts by eliminating the Faithfuls in nightly visits to a turret.

The tension in the castle is expected to rise quickly as suspicion sets in, and the game takes its toll on relationships among the cast. The show promises a combination of strategy, trust, and deception, as the celebrities battle it out for the charity prize. After the overwhelming success of the first season, which saw Alan Carr emerge as the unexpected winner, fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the second season. The massive viewing numbers for the first season, with around 15 million tuning in to watch Alan’s victory as a Traitor, only heighten the anticipation for what promises to be an even more thrilling competition this time around.

With the cast now mostly gathered, fans have already started speculating about who could be the main contenders for the title of “big dogs” this season. Among those mentioned are Michael Sheen, Richard E. Grant, and Miranda Hart, whose presence alone is sure to bring a dose of drama and excitement to the game. As the celebrities settle into their roles, it will be interesting to see how alliances form, suspicions rise, and the game of Celebrity Traitors plays out on screen.