Casting for Survivor's landmark 50th season is currently underway, and host and showrunner Jeff Probst promises the cast will span all eras of the show, reaching back to its beginning with Borneo. Ahead of Survivor 48's premiere, Probst spoke to TVLine about plans for Survivor 50, set to film this June. Unlike previous seasons, this édition will feature returning players—a first since Survivor 40, Winners at War.
Selecting the 18 or 20 players to represent such a momentous occasion, though, is proving to be quite the task. “We started with roughly 200 people,” the Emmy-winning host explained. “We had all our producers say, ‘Write down everybody you would like to see play in 50. No restrictions.’ So, we had about 200 names, each one interesting. You could make a different case for each of them.” He continued, “Then we got it down to 100. That first cut was brutal. It’s kind of like an either/or. Then we got it down to 70, and now there’s blood everywhere. So I’m not going to lie and tell you we know who’s going to be on the show right now because we don’t. And it was extremely exciting and painfully difficult to do because there are going to be people disappointed all over the place.”
“But there’s going to be a lot of people very excited,” Probst added, “to be the representative of our 50th season.” When asked how far he’s considering casting players from, Probst confirmed all eras of the show, even back to Season 1. “Player One,” he confirmed. He remained tight-lipped when queried about whether previous winners would be included.
Survivor’s first season aired back in 2000, transforming the show’s 16 castaways—such as Richard Hatch and Kelly Wiglesworth—into cultural icons. Reflecting on the show’s long history, Probst stated at a live Survivor 48 screening, “We want to satisfy you. We want a cast representing all types of players, spanning all the eras. An array of people who have slept, bled, battled this ever-changing game design for the last 25 years.” He summarized, “Survivor 50 is a representation of everyone who has ever played and the fans who have been with us for the entire time.”
The producer's announcement indicated fans will have opportunities to vote on game elements for Survivor 50, commencing after the Survivor 48 premiere. This unprecedented move marks the event as “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans,” allowing viewers to influence aspects such as the inclusion of hidden immunity idols and final four fire-making challenges. “Trust we’ll give you enough options to make an impact,” Probst encouraged the audience. “If you don’t want the final fire-making challenge, don’t vote for it, but don't just react instantly.”
Probst noted, though disappointing for fans, viewers will not be able to vote on the contestant list similar to how they did for Season 31's Survivor: Second Chance back in 2015. Speaking with USA TODAY, he shared, “We don't have a cast yet, and that's the truth. We started from 200 and then got it down to 100. And from there, it’s been tough because every time you cut someone, you know you're losing great stories.” Currently, as of earlier this week, Probst elucidated the shortlist includes around 50 candidates and recognized the final selection would thrill some fans but inevitably frustrate others.
“We're going back to Season 1 and saying, ‘Let’s look at everyone who’s played and who should represent the entirety of the show,’” said Probst. He was confident the eventual cast would resonate with the fan base, reflecting who they believe best embodies Survivor 50.
According to additional reports, Probst has firmly stated he has no desire to participate as a contestant on Survivor or any other competition shows like The Traitors. Despite having witnessed the game since its inception, he quipped: "I don't think I could ever win Survivor. I could probably do OK, but the contestants are smarter than ever. I often can't tell if they’re spinning me tales during tribal council. That’s likely indicative I wouldn’t excel as a player."
Last month, Probst partnered with party game developer Exploding Kittens on a new card game, Survivor: The Tribe Has Spoken. This interactive game simulates Survivor's unforgettable structures, allowing players to collect advantages, form secret alliances, win immunity, and vote out opponents. Probst noted, “I'm really proud of it. If you like Survivor, you’re going to enjoy the card game.”
With the anticipation mounting for the premiere of Survivor 48 on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, fans continue to look excitedly toward Survivor 50, which promises to be one for the history books.