> At a Glance
> – Today’s NYT Strands puzzle centers on reality-TV show The Traitors
> – Theme answers include CASTLE, SHIELD, MISSION, FAITHFUL, BANISHMENT, plus spangram THETRAITORS
> – Puzzle coincides with the series’ season 4 premiere
> – Why it matters: Fans can solve faster by knowing the show’s deception-driven gameplay
Today’s NYT Strands grid is packed with references to the reality competition The Traitors. If you haven’t watched, expect a tougher solve.
Theme & Clues
The prompt reads “That’s just reality (TV)” and the secondary clue is “Show with plenty of trickery”-both point squarely to the Peacock series where contestants conspire or sniff out traitors in a castle setting.
Need in-game hints? Find any three four-letter-plus words. Valid starter words from the grid:
- SIDE
- HIDE
- START
- TART
- FAITH
- TENS
- BANS
- FATE
- SILT
- CAST
- TRAIT
Answers for Jan. 8, 2026
Non-spangram solutions:
- CASTLE – the show’s primary location
- SHIELD – protection from banishment
- MISSION – challenges contestants complete
- FAITHFUL – the “good” team name
- BANISHMENT – the elimination mechanism
The spangram THETRAITORS stretches left-to-right, beginning with the T three rows down on the far-left edge.
Toughest Past Themes
Previous grids that stumped solvers:
- Dated slang – trickiest word: PHAT
- Thar she blows! – trickiest: BALEEN or RIGHT
- Off the hook – trickiest: BIGEYE or SKIPJACK
Key Takeaways
- Knowing The Traitors premise unlocks most answers quickly
- Spangram starts on column 1, row 4
- Total themed words vary daily-today uses every letter in the grid
Brush up on the show’s drama, and today’s grid becomes far less treacherous.
