Survivor’s preparing for a landmark anniversary season, and so are we!
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Ever since host Jeff Probst announced that Season 50 will feature all returning players, we’ve been getting hyped about which former castaways will be back in Fiji competing for that $1 million prize. While the big 5-0 won’t happen until Spring of 2026, we’re cherry-picking our favorites now and declaring who we want to see back to outwit, outplay and outlast the competition.
No, we aren’t trying to predict who will actually make the show. This is entirely a dream cast scenario here! And yes, our selections were made with a few stipulations. We took all of the show’s winners off the table (though we were tempted to add Todd Herzog — we did rank all the champs here, though!). We already saw their game-winning best, and with so many people to choose from and a full winners season in the rearview, we’re skipping the Boston Robs, Parvatis and Sandras.
Apologies to players like Kelley Wentworth, Cirie Fields and Colby Donaldson, but we also scrapped anyone who’s already played three times or more. Watching a fourth or fifth go feels excessive. But do these people stand a chance of making it onto the season? Wouldn’t surprise us in the slightest.
Below are our picks (listed chronologically by season) of who we want to see hit the beach for Season 50. Review our dream cast, then hit the comments section to tell us who tops your list!
Jenna Lewis (Survivor: Borneo, Survivor: All-Stars)
We’re going out on a limb and guessing that the almighty Survivor Gods (aka the producers) will want some Season 1 representation for this celebratory season. With Colleen Haskell still MIA from the reality TV world, we suggest the next best bet: Jenna. While she and her Pagong tribe may have been sitting ducks during her first time out, Lewis proved she had what it takes when she competed on All-Stars. Could a third time be the charm?
Greg Buis (Survivor: Borneo)
Anyone have a direct line to Greg’s coconut phone? A true OG from the Borneo season, Greg was wildly entertaining and well-liked by his Pagong tribe. Sadly, he was taken out by Sean’s dumb alphabetical voting strategy, but catching up with someone from Season 1 who we haven’t heard from since could make for a fascinating watch. Plus, there’s no better way to exemplify the evolution of the game than by watching a guy like Greg navigate the new era’s rules.
Teresa ‘T-Bird’ Cooper (Survivor: Africa)
Not only is the Rob Has a Podcast co-host still kickin’ in the Survivor community (check out her Talking With T-Bird episodes on RHAP), but her vibrant energy and love for the game is just what a banner season like Survivor 50 needs! Plus, a little “old school” flair is exactly what us longtime viewers of the show want to see. And since she was passed over during the fan vote for Survivor Cambodia —Second Chance, we’d reckon she still has a little unfinished business to take care of.
Lex van den Berghe (Survivor: Africa and Survivor: All-Stars)
Lex was always a colorful character. Bold and opinionated, he was known for making deals and not shying away from conflict. Even though his paranoia sometimes caused him to waver, the chaos he brought was always 100% entertaining. We were bummed for the guy after Boston Rob screwed him over in All-Stars, but why not throw Lex back on the island? It’d be fascinating to see him interact with the show’s newer crop of castaways.
Rob Cesternino (Survivor: The Amazon and Survivor: All-Stars)
Yes, we know Rob has a podcast empire to contend with, but we’re hoping he can take a break from the microphone for a quick jaunt out to Fiji. In Season 6, Rob’s smarts upped the ante in terms of the game’s strategic possibilities, as we watched him alliance-hop and correctly clock everyone around him. Would his presence in the Survivor community make him a massive target or could he pull a Boston Rob-style victory using his charm? He got a raw deal in All-Stars, so let’s pretend that never happened and find out what he could pull off in 50.
Shane Powers (Survivor: Panama – Exile Island)
Here’s another castaway we could’ve and should’ve had back already. Shane’s nicotine withdrawal led to some volatile outbursts towards his tribe, but the season’s most rambunctious player still made it to the Final 5. This many years later, would he dial it all back or change up his strategy somehow? We’re dying to know, but if he does pop up on 50, we’re in for a wild ride, guaranteed.
Natalie Bolton (Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites)
Truly underrated. The last Fan standing in the first Fans vs. Favorites edition, Natalie had enough wherewithal to make lasting connections with the Favorites tribe once she saw where the game was going. She also played a huge role in the scheme to trick Eric into giving up his immunity (one of the show’s most shocking blindsides ever). Excellent social game, sturdy physical challenger — Natalie deserved a second shot at the million a long time ago.
Kass McQuillen (Survivor: Cagayan and Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chance)
Is it a long shot that “Chaos Kass” would even want to grace our screens again? Maybe. Does that mean we’re giving up hope of seeing our favorite “Brain” on Season 50? Not a chance! Kass is wildly entertaining, super sassy and played a shockingly different game her second time out. She’s also no stranger to bringing the drama and keeping things spicy. It’s been a while since she played on Survivor: Cambodia. What surprises would she have up her sleeve if she hit the beach one last time?
Cydney Gillon (Survivor: Kaôh Rōng)
Even though Cydney made it to the Final 4 on her first try, we always felt like there was more to see from her. Not only did she survive the brutal elements of Kaôh Rōng —which took down three players in a single challenge and prompted a helicopter evacuation — but her physical prowess was wildly impressive. Why haven’t we seen her back yet?
Chrissy Hofbeck (Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers)
Robbed queen. Yes, we’re still salty about how Chrissy lost Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers (don’t get us started!), but she won fourindividual immunity challenges, tying the record for most wins for a female contestant in a season. Not shabby! And with her strategic skills in tow, she could easily navigate the nuance and chancy aspects that the new era demands. This “middle school” player more than deserves another chance to play.
Domenick Abbate (Survivor: Ghost Island)
Despite Ghost Island’s mediocre execution, watching Domenick take on eventual winner Wendell Holland was worth the price of admission. He played hard and fast, knowing when to work with his competition and when to cut people off at the knees. He cinched a few crucial immunity wins and his overall excellent gameplay landed him in the game’s first-ever tie vote at Final Tribal. Sadly he became the runner-up, leaving Dom in prime position to stake a Season 50 return.
Christian Hubicki (Survivor: David vs. Goliath)
C’mon, who doesn’t love Christian Hubicki? Incredibly smart, entertaining and funny, Christian was able to wow his tribe thanks to his general likability and personality. With a few correctly played immunity idols and an individual challenge win, he made it all the way to the Final 7 before he was taken out for being a threat. He was a fantastic casting choice who’d make an even greater returning player.
Reem Daly (Survivor: Edge of Extinction)
Reem may have been voted out first, but thanks to the Edge of Extinction twist, we thankfully got to know her — and she’s an absolute riot! And precedent has been set. Francesca Hogi, the first person voted out of Survivor: Redemption Island, got to come back and play again, so why not Reem? Not only would she deliver some quality entertainment value, but we want to see what her game and strategy would’ve really looked like.
Rick Devens (Survivor: Edge of Extinction)
This just in: We want to see this former news anchor back on our screens! He may have (originally) been voted out fourth, but Devens made quite the name for himself in just a single season. He won the very first Edge of Extinction challenge, which earned him a spot back in the game. From there, he forged relationships, won four individual immunities and charmed the pants off of viewers, only to be taken out in fire-making at the Final 4. (Ban this challenge now!) We’d frankly be shocked if he didn’t get a callback from Probst at this point.
Jesse Lopez (Survivor 43)
Season 43’s best player landed on a season where laying low was the modus operandi. But that didn’t stop Jesse from cutting his No. 1 ally Cody and orchestrating big blindsides on players like Noelle and Dwight. He was unfortunately snuffed out by the buzzkill that is the Final 4 fire-making challenge, but out of all the players we met post-Winners at War, Jesse tops our list for those we want to see back in action.
Carolyn Wiger (Survivor 44)
Every great Survivor season needs a fiery wild card and Carolyn is IT. But as she told us throughout her Survivor 44 journey, she’s not a dummy! Her social game on point, creating a tight bond with the Tika 3 that took them all the way to the end, despite the chips rarely falling in their favor. Plus, the woman knows how to deliver soundbites for the record books. What would her strategy look like if she gets a second chance with all returnees? We demand to know!
Sabiyah Broderick (Survivor 45)
This new era power player was taken out way too early! In such a short time, Sabiyah proved to be good at, well, most things on Survivor. Unfortunately, three immunity losses in a row became her downfall, but if given more time, the sky’s the limit for this one. We’d love to see her wreak havoc at a merge. Could Survivor 50 be her next calling?
Kaleb Gebrewold (Survivor 45)
Charisma with a capital C. Kaleb’s original Lulu tribe had a rough start to the game, but a series of lucky breaks, including a pre-merge tribe switch, helped the incredibly savvy Kaleb move and shake his way through to the merge. (If only he had a second Shot in the Dark…) But how would a new era player like him manage with some older, more villainous players in the game? Could he minimize his target by becoming less likable to his tribe?
Tiffany Nicole Ervin (Survivor 46)
An extremely well-rounded player, Tiffany survived her down-and-out Yanu tribe and made the merge with an idol (and two strong allies) in tow. She was dependable in challenges and navigated the new era’s tricky merge best she could using her social savvy… until her ally Q ratted out her idol, that is. Speaking of…
Quintavius ‘Q’ Burdette (Survivor 46)
What could possibly follow the Q skirt? A Q hoodie? Q sneaks? The people have a right to know! Sure, he might be a polarizing character, but Q served up entertainment on a silver platter with outrageous soundbites, high energy and a hunger for power that ultimately led to his demise. But he continued surviving in the game even with a sizable target on his back for most of the merge. Could he last even longer in his second round, or would his former beef with Yanu tribemate Tiffany resurface?
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