‘Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans’ Cast Revealed
The tribe producers have spoken.
Ahead of Survivor season 50—which features all returning players—host Jeff Probst explained why fan favorites Rob "Boston Rob" Mariano, Parvati Shallow, and more season 40 alums weren't asked back.
"We made a decision not to bring any of the winners from Winners at War because we had just seen them and it was a big season," Jeff explained on the Oct. 22 episode of his On Fire podcast, which he cohosts with winner Jeremy Collins. "And I know a lot of people are going to miss players like Jeremy, but that was the reason why. That simple."
Although the season 40 castaways won't be outwitting, outplaying and outlasting for that $1 million prize, there are still plenty of stars who will reignite their torches, including season 37's Mike White and Christian Hubicki, season 13's Ozzy Lusth and season 12's Cirie Fields.
And this certainly isn't the same game old school Survivor alums Jenna Lewis-Dougherty and Colby Donaldson once played.
"In the seasons prior to 41, it was a different game," Jeff explained of the twist that began after Covid in 2021. "Every single element contributes to shaping the game and thus, the gameplay. I can't say this enough. When we birthed Survivor 41, we birthed a new game."
"It is still fundamentally the same format, but we changed a lot of dynamics and we forced a different pace," he continued. "You are playing hard out of the gate in the new era because you have to."
Among the most significant changes is a shorter game: Castaways now compete for 26 days instead of 39.
Rob Latour/Shutterstock/Rob Latour/Shutterstock
"Let's just remember seasons before 41 did not have things like a Beware Advantage or a Journey or the Shot in the Dark," Jeff said of the new twists in the game. "All of that changes the nature of the game."
So come season 50, it'll be a true face-off between old school and new school players.
"What's going to be interesting about 50 is somebody like Jeremy or Colby who have played many times, but they played a slower pace," he teased. "Not an easier or more difficult game, but a different pace because of the game design. How's that going to work?"
See for yourself when season 50 premieres in 2026. Until then, keep reading to see who is returning to the beaches of Fiji.
Robert Voets/CBS
Mike White
Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)
Jeffrey Neira/CBS
Cirie Fields
Seasons 12 (PANAMA-EXILE ISLAND), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)
Robert Voets/CBS
Ozzy Lusth
Seasons 13 (COOK ISLANDS), 16 (MICRONESIA – FANS VS. FAVORITES), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)
Robert Voets/CBS
Benjamin "Coach" Wade
Seasons 18 (TOCANTINS – THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC)
Monty Brinton/CBS
Stephanie Lagrossa Kendrick
Seasons 10 (PALAU), 11 (GUATEMALA), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)
Monty Brinton/CBS
Jenna Lewis-Dougherty
Seasons 1 (BORNEO), 8 (ALL-STARS)
Monty Brinton/CBS
Colby Donaldson
Seasons 2 (THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK), 8 (ALL-STARS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)
Robert Voets/CBS
Tiffany Ervin
Season 46
Robert Voets/CBS
Charlie Davis
Season 46
Robert Voets/CBS
Q Burdette
Season 46
Robert Voets/CBS
Emily Flippen
Season 45
Robert Voets/CBS
Dee Valladares
Season 45 Winner
Robert Voets/CBS
Jonathan Young
Season 42
Robert Voets/CBS
Christian Hubicki
Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)
Robert Voets/CBS
Angelina Keeley
Season 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)
Robert Voets/CBS via Getty Images
Kyle Fraser
Season 48 WInner
Jeffrey Neira/CBS
Aubry Bracco
Seasons 32 (KAÔH RONG – BRAINS VS. BRAWN VS. BEAUTY), 34 (GAME CHANGERS), 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)
CBS
Chrissy Hofbeck
Season 35 (HEROES VS. HEALERS VS. HUSTLERS)
CBS
Rick Devens
Season 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)
CBS/Paramount Networks
Kamilla Karthigesu
Season 48
CBS/Paramount Networks
Joseph Hunter
Season 48
Robert Voets/CBS
Genevieve Mushaluk
Season 37
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