Survivor 50 Cast Guide

Survivor 50, the milestone fiftieth season of the long-running survivalist competition series, may be about a year away, but with the show beginning to film, the cast has been released to the public. While there’s been a lot of debate surrounding who should be included on Survivor 50, who shouldn’t, and who ultimately would make the cut regardless of whether they deserved it or not, there hasn’t been an easy path to finding the right castaways for the milestone season. With 49 seasons of contestants to choose from, Survivor had its work cut out to pick a major milestone cast.

It was clear that not everyone was going to be satisfied about who would be returning for Survivor 50, but most Survivor fans had a list of contestants they felt were likely a lock for the milestone season. Still, it wasn’t easy to narrow down. Even knowing there are some castaways who aren’t interested in playing the game again, some who wouldn’t be invited back for personal and professional reasons, and some who would simply not fit the current era of Survivor, the majority of castaways that long-time viewers hoped to see seemed like they’d be achievable to bring back.

With Survivor 50’s cast finally released, viewers will now be able to speculate on who will do well within the game as it films in real-time. Though this may cause some to be fatigued by the time the season actually comes out, the build up of excitement to see what twists and turns play out in the game will be something most Survivor fans have never seen before. With such a major milestone season coming to life, Survivor 50 needed to bring the best into the competition, creating new dynamics for the long-running show as it moves into another era.

Jenna Lewis Dougherty

Survivor Borneo & All-Stars

Jenna Lewis Dougherty, one of the original castaways stranded on Survivor Borneo in 2000, is the only representative of the first season joining Survivor 50. Although Jenna’s reputation during the first season was more of an immature, youthful persona, when she returned to the series for Survivor All-Stars four years later, she was ready to play the game strategically.

Jenna came back to a completely different show after a handful of seasons, bringing a new energy to the competition. While Jenna hasn’t played in nearly 20 years, her ability to move through the game socially may help her stay afloat.

Colby Donaldson

Survivor Australian Outback, All-Stars, & Heroes Vs. Villains

As a veteran originally appearing on Survivor: The Australian Outback, Colby Donaldson hasn’t played since 2010. During the second season of Survivor, Colby had a rivalry that made a major splash with his fellow castaway Jerri Manthey, which eventually continued on throughout several seasons together. Colby returned on Survivor All-Stars and Survivor Heroes Vs. Villains, but struggled to make it far in the game coming in with a high threat-level. Now, years later, Colby is returning for Survivor 50 for a game-changing first, as it will be the first season he’s playing without Jerri as a fellow castaway beside him.

Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick

Survivor Palau, Guatemala, & Heroes Vs. Villains

As one of the long-standing legends who hasn’t returned in the modern era, Stephenie LaGrossa first appeared on Survivor Palau, where she was the first ever castaway to become a tribe of one. While Stephenie has never won the game, she’s long been praised as one of the best to ever play Survivor. With a mix of stealth social strategy and physical prowess, Stephenie returned to the show on Survivor Guatemala, then came back for Heroes Vs. Villains. While she’s been able to strategize before, being out of the game for 15 years could make Survivor 50 tough for Stephenie.

Cirie Fields

Survivor Panama, Micronesia, Heroes Vs. Villains, & Game Changers

Returning for another season of Survivor wasn’t necessarily a shock for Cirie Fields’ fans, but learning that she’d be on the iconic Survivor 50 is exciting nevertheless. Cirie is one of the best to never win Survivor, if not the best social player to have never won the game. Socially dominant and hard-working, Cirie has been able to move through nearly the entire game without making it to the end several times, but her game has been aired out for fans of the show. Cirie could come out victorious on Survivor 50, but it would take all of her skill.

Ozzy Lusth

Survivor Cook Islands, Micronesia, South Pacific, & Game Changers

Ozzy Lusth, who last played on Survivor Game Changers in 2017, has nearly won several times, but has never gotten to the end of the game and taken it. While he’s always been competitive and athletic, Ozzy has worked hard to earn his reputation on Survivor over the years. First competing on Survivor Cook Islands, Ozzy was always impressive in a challenge, but his social game was most shocking in one of his later seasons. Competing during Survivor South Pacific, Ozzy was able to use Redemption Island as a way to consistently, repeatedly win his way back into the game.

Benjamin “Coach” Wade

Survivor Tocantins, Heroes Vs. Villains, & South Pacific

Although some struggle to find enjoyment in Benjamin “Coach” Wade, others understand that the Survivor Tocantins castaway has grown tremendously since his first appearance. Coach’s early seasons on Survivor showed him as an undeveloped player who was afraid to make moves that would leave him out in the dark socially, but that timid streak worked directly against his desire to be a leader. Coach made it difficult for everyone to move through the game with a solid strategy, as he had a tough time owning up to his mistakes, but the more he played, the better he got at Survivor.

Aubry Bracco

Survivor Kaoh Rong, Game Changers, & Edge Of Extinction

As a three-time Survivor veteran, Aubry Bracco wasn’t an expected castaway for Survivor 50, but she’s someone viewers will be happy to see back. After being introduced as a weaker player on Survivor Kaôh Rōng, Aubry overcame her issues and eventually found a place she could stand strong. As a strategic mind, Aubry worked her way through the game with a ton of control, but lost to Michele Fitzgerald in a tough Final Tribal Council. Although she returned to play twice more, Aubry couldn’t find the same momentum she had in her first season. Hopefully she’ll stabilize on Survivor 50.

Chrissy Hofbeck

Survivor Heroes Vs. Healers Vs. Hustlers

While Chrissy Hofbeck was almost the first boot on Survivor Heroes Vs. Healers Vs. Hustlers, she found herself moving through the game with social and strategic moves that mad her a great castaway. With a fantastic story, Chrissy knew how to make relationships and keep them throughout her time on the show. While there were some moments where her connections were put to the test within the game, Chrissy seemed like she was going to take the win during her season, but a devilish fire-making twist hurt her chances. Chrissy could make an incredible but deserved comeback on Survivor 50.

Mike White

Survivor David Vs. Goliath

Mike White, the creator of hit The White Lotus, may be doing a lot more with his creative side these days, but prior to creating the limited series, he nearly won Survivor David Vs. Goliath in 2018. Mike’s game was built on social relationships and fostering them as he moved through the game, but eventually had to put himself in vulnerable positions. While he was able to earn his way to the end, the jury voted against Mike in one of the most divisive endgames in Survivor history. Mike’s new Hollywood status may help or hurt him on Survivor 50.

Angelina Keeley

Survivor David Vs. Goliath

As one of Mike’s closest allies on Survivor David Vs. Goliath, Angelina Kelley is often praised for her powerful gameplay from the beginning of the season. While she was often able to work through the challenges and strategic situations, Angelina also found herself to be a divisive social player, taking the fall for some major moves in the game. Angelina was a chaotic player during her first season on the series, but things may be different during her second time around on Survivor 50. Though she’ll have Mike again, Angelina may struggle with a whole new cast in her way.

Christian Hubicki

Survivor David Vs. Goliath

Although Christian Hubicki wasn’t one of Mike and Angelina’s allies on Survivor David Vs. Goliath, he was a threat in his own right throughout the game. From the earliest moments of the game, viewers could tell that Christian would be someone who took on a powerful role in the game. Having an idol played to save him post-merge, Christian had a loyal band of allies throughout the game, even finding himself having to defend against his one-time ally Gabby Pascuzzi. Eventually, Christian was too threatening to keep, but he may not be as threatening on Survivor 50 surrounded by veterans.

Rick Devens

Survivor Edge Of Extinction

Survivor Edge Of Extinction’s Rick Devens may not have made it far in the game at first, but he was an incredibly memorable part of the season. While he was left without any allies after the season’s tribe swap, Rick battled back from the Edge Of Extinction for another chance to play the game. After using four immunity idols, Rick found himself in the final four, but it was a tough showdown to make it past the difficult fire-making challenge, and ultimately wound up eliminated. Rick could be a great challenger to watch on Survivor 50.

Jonathan Young

Survivor 42

Jonathan is one of the first new-era Survivor castaways to return to the game for another shot at the $1 million grand prize. Appearing in Survivor 42, Jonathan is a massive challenge competitor who showed feats of strength throughout his time in Fiji. Although he was a massive physical force, Jonathan was also able to move through his social game fairly easily, building strong bonds that brought him through the game. His threat level may be high coming into Survivor 50.

Emily Flippen

Survivor 45

A fan favorite from Survivor 45, Financial Analyst Emily Flippen was an incredible part of this new era season. Making her presence known early on, Emily got into social trouble quickly within the season, but was able to bounce back and learn to adapt to the game. While she played a more socially strategic game than a physically competitive one, Emily struggled to maintain her footing when her tribe began to collapse inward. Iconic in every way, Emily will be an incredible asset to Survivor 50.

Dee Valladares

Survivor 45

The winner of Survivor 45, Dee Valladares was an incredibly adept social player who knew how to take control of a situation. While Dee was able to move through the game with a handle on what was happening, it wasn’t easy for her to manipulate and move through the rest of her allegiances without consistently stoking the flames of her relationships. Dee benefited from a minor showmance, but her ability in the game to stay strategic, competitive, and focused gave her a winner’s edge. She may struggle to find her place on Survivor 50 as one of just two winners.

Q Burdette

Survivor 46

Divisive, Q Burdette was one of the most frustrating castaways on Survivor 46. Whether it was watching him refuse to compete in challenges he was certain he’d win, creating the Q skirt, or ultimately turning on one of his closest allies, Q was a lot throughout the season. Though he wasn’t always the most strategically minded player, Q had a lot of control over how the votes were cast throughout his time on Survivor 46, which made him feel like he was gaining momentum. With hindsight on what he would’ve done differently, Q could be a threat on Survivor 50.

Charlie Davis

Survivor 46

As one of the finalists of Survivor 46, Charlie Davis was a fan favorite throughout the season. A Taylor Swift fan who often quoted her lyrics in clutch moments, Charlie was a charming Survivor superfan who had a tight grip on what was going on in the game. His consistently well-hidden alliance with Maria Shrime Gonzalez was a great part of his game, and though the pair consistently tried to go against one another in the endgame, it was Charlie’s social strategy that outplayed Maria. While he didn’t win, Charlie came away ready to return to Survivor for another shot.

Tiffany Nicole Ervin

Survivor 46

As another piece of the puzzle on Survivor 46, Tiffany Nicole Ervin was a consistent social force throughout the season. With competitive prowess and social strategy under her belt, Tiffany struggled early on with a tribe that couldn’t get a win under their belt. Even so, Tiffany was able to do well throughout the game until she found herself the victim of a blindside. While Tiffany may not trust her former ally, Q, during Survivor 50, she’ll come into the game with some tremendously unique experience.

Genevieve Mushaluk

Survivor 47

As the sole representative of Survivor 47, Genevieve Mushaluk didn’t seem like she was going to be a major part of the season for the first few episodes. When she finally moved into the spotlight, creating an unlikely alliance and leveraging her power to create paths to the end for herself. While Genevieve wasn’t always kind in her gameplay, she did what needed to be done in order to move herself ahead. Genevieve did well until post-merge, when she orchestrated a blindside that laid out her whole game. It’s unlikely Genevieve will keep a similar strategy on Survivor 50.

Joe Hunter

Survivor 48

As one of the final 3 on Survivor 48, Joe Hunter was a physical threat from the beginning. Often seen as easy-going and kind-hearted, Joe’s social gameplay allowed him to move through the competition despite having a physical advantage, as he minimized his strategic prowess. Though he consistently tried to talk about how he was just a firefighter, Joe may find himself needing a new refrain on Survivor 50.

Kyle Fraser

Survivor 48

As the winner of Survivor 48, Kyle Fraser is sure to have a target on his back going into Survivor 50. While he’s one of the most interesting strategic players in the new era, Kyle’s power came in his alliance with Kamilla Karthigesu throughout a lot of the game. It’s possible he’ll be on a different tribe than his former castmate, but he should be careful about his interaction as he moves into Survivor 50.

Kamilla Karthigesu

Survivor 48

As one of the masterminds of Survivor 48, Kamilla will have a major target on her back heading into Survivor 50. Though she didn’t make it to the end, Kamilla was praised for her social gameplay and her strategic mastery. The jury of her season shared if she’d been in the final 3, she would’ve been voted the winner of the game, giving her fellow Survivor 50 castaways a major reason to vote her out as quickly as possible.

Rizo Velovic

Survivor 49

Rizo Velovic, apparently known as Rizgod, is one of the upcoming castaways on Survivor 49. Though viewers have yet to see his gameplay, Rizo will be part of Survivor 50. Despite not knowing how Rizo did on Survivor 49, he clearly made enough on an impact to be asked back for a milestone season.

Savannah Louie

Survivor 49

Much like Rizo, Savannah Louie will be a part of the upcoming Survivor 49. A journalist from Atlanta, Savannah seems like she could have the ability to communicate well, which could help her in the game. As she moves into Survivor 50, it’s possibly a strength that her season of the series has yet to air, as her threat level won’t be something her fellow castaways are aware of.

Sources: Jonathan Young/Instagram, Savannah Louie/Instagram, Rizo Velovic/Instagram