The Traitors is doing it again. For the third consecutive year, Peacock’s flagship reality competition tops the field at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards — the Critics Choice Association announced nominations on April 30, 2026, and the show earned six total nods, more than any other unscripted series.
Six nominations. Three years running. At some point, that stops being a hot streak and starts being something else entirely.
Six Nominations — And Alan Cumming Is Gunning for More
The show is nominated for Best Competition Series and Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series, continuing its streak in both categories. But the most compelling storyline heading into the June 3 ceremony is host Alan Cumming, who lands nominations in both Best Show Host and Male Star of the Year. Cumming won Best Show Host at last year’s ceremony, though Male Star of the Year went to Stephen Nedoroscik of Dancing with the Stars.
A consecutive sweep across both categories would be remarkable on any awards circuit. It’s especially notable in the Star of the Year categories, which are decided by fan voting. Cumming’s competition in Male Star of the Year includes his own castmate Rob Rausch — Season 4’s winner and arguably the most-talked-about player in the show’s history — alongside Chris Hemsworth (Limitless: Live Better Now), Robert Irwin (Dancing with the Stars), Ryan Seacrest, and Stanley Tucci.
Critics Choice Association TV Branch President Ed Martin didn’t dance around the show’s dominance when nominations were announced.
“‘The Traitors’ once again leads nominees after sweeping last year’s awards ceremony with an impressive four wins.”
Rob Rausch and Lisa Rinna Both Earn Individual Nods
Rob Rausch’s nomination for Male Star of the Year is hard to argue with. The snake wrangler-turned-reality villain ran one of the cleanest Traitor games the show has ever produced — going nearly the entire season undetected, quietly eliminating threats, and strategically cutting fellow original Traitors Lisa Rinna and Candiace Dillard Bassett loose when the pressure closed in. He recruited singer Eric Nam as a Traitor ally, made the final two against Love Island UK alum Maura Higgins, and walked away with the $220,800 prize on February 27, 2026. He’s the first Traitor to win since Cirie Fields took it in Season 1.
Even Alan Cumming couldn’t hold back at the finale.
“You are a really epic player. I think one of the greatest Traitors we’ve had thus far.”
Rausch took it in stride — same as he did all season.
“I had to think without emotion, like I’ve done this whole game. It feels satisfying.”
Lisa Rinna, cut loose by Rausch mid-game after serving as one of Season 4’s original Traitors, earned a nomination for Female Star of the Year. She’s up against Heather Gay (RHOSLC), Whitney Leavitt (Dancing with the Stars), Dr. Sandra Lee, Ciara Miller (Summer House), and Tiffany “New York” Pollard (House of Villains).
The Rest of the Field — Survivor’s Milestone Season Gets Its Due
Survivor‘s historic 50th season also earned recognition — something Ed Martin flagged explicitly when discussing this year’s nominations. The CBS institution is nominated for Best Competition Series alongside The Traitors, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Squid Game: The Challenge, Top Chef, and Finding Mr. Christmas.
“This year, the Critics recognize the enduring quality and long-running success of so many outstanding unscripted series, including programs that have achieved 20+ seasons on television — like ‘Survivor’ in its 50th season — while also honoring relative newcomers carving out their own legacies in the genre, such as ‘The Traitors’ and ‘Love on the Spectrum.'”
Netflix led all companies with 18 nominations across its unscripted slate — Squid Game: The Challenge, Love Is Blind, Queer Eye, and Love on the Spectrum among them.
When Winners Will Be Announced
No red carpet. No ceremony. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. ET. The Star of the Year categories are fan-voted, which means anyone pulling for Rausch or Cumming still has time to make some noise.
Three years at the top of the nominations list. June 3 will settle whether The Traitors can match that with three years of wins.
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