“Survivor” is back for its 50th season, and the long-running reality competition is celebrating the milestone by putting the game “In the Hands of the Fans.”
The upcoming season — which debuts tonight — features a cast of 24 returning players competing for the $1 million prize.
Jeff Probst, the series host and showrunner, told Entertainment Weekly that “Season 50 is the most fun I’ve ever had on a season of ‘Survivor.’”
What is unique about ‘Survivor’ Season 50?
Season 50 introduces several unprecedented elements to the competition. It is the largest starting cast in the show’s history, and for the first time, fans were given control over the game’s format.
“The fans decided the type of gameplay,” Probst told Entertainment Weekly. “That created uncertainty in a way that it didn’t really matter what they decided. The point was they were the ones in charge of deciding. So the players had no idea what was coming.”
While this isn’t the first time the series has had returning players, Probst noted, “this is the only returning player season where the players had real joy and gratitude for being invited back.”
Probst clarified that he did not mean to insult past seasons, but said that not every returning cast has shared the same level of enthusiasm.
To celebrate the historic milestone even more, CBS launched a nationwide immunity idol challenge and a “Road to 50″ marathon of previous episodes.
Who will compete on ‘Survivor’ Season 50?
The cast includes Angelina Keeley, Christian Hubicki and Mike White from Season 37; Charlie Davis from Season 46; and Emily Flippen from Season 45. The full list of participants is as follows:
- Angelina Keeley: Season 37
- Aubry Bracco: Seasons 32, 34, 38
- Benjamin “Coach” Wade: Seasons 18, 20, 23
- Charlie Davis: Survivor 46
- Chrissy Hofbeck: Season 35
- Christian Hubicki: Season 37
- Cirie Fields: Seasons 12, 16, 20, 34
- Colby Donaldson: Seasons 2, 8, 20
- Dee Valladares: Survivor 45
- Emily Flippen: Survivor 45
- Genevieve Mushaluk: Survivor 47
- Jenna Lewis-Dougherty: Seasons 1, 8
- Jonathan Young: Survivor 42
- Joseph “Joe” Hunter: Survivor 48
- Kamilla Karthigesu: Survivor 48
- Kyle Fraser: Survivor 48
- Mike White: Season 37
- Ozzy Lusth: Seasons 13, 16, 23, 34
- Q Burdette: Survivor 46
- Rick Devens: Season 38
- Rizo Velovic: Survivor 49
- Savannah Louie: Survivor 49
- Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick: Seasons 10, 11, 20
- Tiffany Ervin: Survivor 46
Twelve of this season’s participants are previous Survivors, while seven have already competed in at least two previous seasons.
When does ‘Survivor’ premiere?
Season 50 kicks off with a special three-hour premiere titled “Epic Party.” According to the episode description, “decisions from the fan vote swiftly and forcefully impact the game.”
“Castaways reflect on how much they have changed since the last time they played the game,” the episode synopsis reads. “Then, an unforeseen injury during the first immunity challenge causes tribemates to rethink their attack strategy in order to support their team member.”
The premiere airs on CBS and Paramount+ Premium on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. MST.
According to TV Guide, the release schedule for the next four episodes is as follows:
- March 4: Episode 2
- March 11: Episode 3
- March 18: Episode 4
- March 25: Episode 5
For the first time since Season 39, “Survivor″ will end with a live finale, scheduled to air on May 20, according to Paramount.