The tribe has spoken, revealing the 24 returning players that are set to compete in next spring’s landmark 50th season of Survivor. Host Jeff Probst announced them on CBS Mornings by — how else — pulling folded names out of an urn. The cast spans the entire quarter-century of Survivor’s history, featuring players from Season 1 all the way through the recently concluded Season 48. There are also two spots reserved for players from the upcoming 49th season. Fans praised older favorites and “mothers” online, though not every reaction was positive. Some took issue with the heavy emphasis on players from the New Era (Seasons 41 to 49). Others criticized the omission of iconic players from throughout the show’s history. Some fans had considered them sure bets to return. However, Probst outlined the Herculean task of narrowing down a field of over 700 past players to just 24. Of course, there would be multiple legends left out. That’s led some fans to lament the season and its missed opportunities already. But the 50th season hasn’t even been filmed yet. Can we really write it off already? Here’s why fans should be optimistic.
The Returning Players in ‘Survivor’ Season 50

Survivor

Release Date

May 31, 2000

Network

CBS

Fans and insiders had circulated leaked names for several months before the official release. Several of them matched who made the final cut, with a few differences. The official cast of returnees consists of Jenna Lewis-Dougherty (Seasons 1 and 8), Colby Donaldson (Seasons 2, 8, and 20), Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick (Seasons 10, 11, and 20), Cirie Fields (Seasons 12, 16, 20, and 34), Ozzy Lusth (Seasons 13, 16, 23, and 34), Benjamin “Coach” Wade (Seasons 18, 20, and 23), Aubry Bracco (Seasons 32, 34, and 38), Chrissy Hofbeck (Season 35), Mike White (Season 37), Christian Hubicki (Season 37), Angelina Keeley (Season 37), Rick Devens (Season 38), Jonathan Young (Season 42), Dee Valladares (Season 45 winner), Emily Flippen (Season 45), Q Burdette (Season 46), Tiffany Ervin (Season 46), Charlie Davis (Season 46), Genevieve Mushaluk (Season 47), Kamilla Karthigesu (Season 48), Joe Hunter (Season 48), Kyle Fraser (Season 48 winner), and two unknown Season 49 players. And yes, that’s the White Lotus creator Mike White.

Let’s be clear, there was never a way to please every Survivor fan out there. People have different styles, gameplay preferences, and favored winners. Even if this list featured 100 contestants, there would still be fans upset that their favorite was left out. But a few things pop out. The first is the recency bias. 11 out of 24 returnees are from just the last five seasons. Only three players come from the first 10. And there’s no one at all from Seasons 19 through 31.

Related

10 Reality TV Shows That Defined the 2000s

The 2000s were the golden age of reality TV, introducing shows that were a watershed in television.

The next is that two players are previous winners: 45’s Dee and 48’s Kyle. This seems oddly specific. Why not have 50% winners or no winners at all? CBS established a 50% BIPOC representation rate for the show’s New Era, and commentators have pointed out that the cast falls short of it. Fans have made their opinions known, but don’t raise the pitchforks and torches just yet. There are many reasons to be hopeful about Survivor Season 50.
New ‘Survivor’ Alliances and Old Favorites

CBS

As mentioned, casting Survivor Season 50 had to be grueling. Some percentage of the fan base would be upset no matter what. To their credit, the producers did nail a few big names. Cirie, Christian, and Ozzy were some highlights of the earlier seasons. Fans have also responded well to newer powerhouses like Genevieve Mushaluk, Kamilla Karthigesu, Charlie Davis, and Emily Flippen. While those players were received well, viewers lamented the exclusion of favorites like Jerri Manthey (Seasons 2, 8, and 20), Rob Cesternino (Seasons 6 and 8), and Carolyn Wiger (Season 43). Some voiced their frustration after producers dropped them from the cast following months in the process. Others, like Carolyn, believed they were not contacted if they appeared on other shows, such as The Traitors. But that was always a possibility, as Probst had discussed the immense process of narrowing down names. We may never know why some of these people, who were thought to be locks, are not returning. Perhaps their schedule didn’t work out, or they may have never been contacted at all. But viewers should remember just how many returnee seasons there were in the early years. A whopping 13 out of the first 40 seasons featured all or some returning players. Players from that period had their chance to compete multiple times.

Related

Survivor: The 15 Best Villains, Ranked

There have been a number of iconic villains in Survivor. Here are our picks for the fifteen best villains that have ever been on the show.

Many fans always believed the 50th season would emphasize New Era players. There hasn’t been a season of returnees since the 40th, so modern players haven’t had a chance to come back and prove themselves. Think of Survivor Season 50 as a battle between generations. There were those who played the traditional Survivor, literally surviving in different parts of the world for 39 days. And you have the modern era, marked by 26 days in Fiji, with a greater emphasis on social strategy and relationships. How would a player from Season 1 and Season 48 bond and form a connection? And while it may not seem like the season has reached the 50% BIPOC mark, it’s still performing far better than many other shows on television. So what’s Survivor Season 50 all about? From what we know so far, it appears to be a fairly faithful love letter to the show’s history, albeit with some eras being more represented than others. Though fans have strong reactions, it’s way too early to make any final judgment calls. Perhaps the dynamic between the old and new groups will surprise everyone. There are more than a few reasons to be optimistic. Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans has the chance to be the show’s best season in years. Just give it a chance. In the meantime, look around for some hidden immunity idols. Stream Survivor on Paramount+.