Twenty-five years ago, producers Charlie Parsons and Mark Burnett had an idea for an American reality competition show that placed a group of strangers on an island to compete for a million dollar prize. The contestants, also known as castaways, lived off the elements, competed in challenges, and voted each other off the island one by one. The series proved to be a huge success, spawning spinoffs in over 40 countries.
In 2026, Survivor will celebrate its 50th season. Producers are honoring the milestone by bringing back previous players and giving fans a say in major game decisions. Much about the upcoming season is still under lock and key, but we do know some things.
Here’s what you need to know about Survivor 50.
Survivor 50 cast rumors: Who could be returning?
Survivor 50 is the first returning players season since Survivor: Winners at War, which aired in 2020. The cast list for Survivor 50 is still under wraps, but there are quite a few rumors floating around online.
Earlier this year, Jeff Probst confirmed that a player from Survivor 47 will be invited to join the cast. Fans predicted Jeff was referencing Genevieve Mushaluk, whose cutthroat and strategic gameplay earned her a dedicated fanbase. Some viewers hoped Jeff was referencing Andy Rueda, who transformed from an underdog to a frontrunner thanks to a few sneaky moves in the second half of the season. In addition to the mystery Survivor 47 castaway, a few other names have been floating around, including Ozzy Lusth, Colby Donaldson, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Carolyn Wiger.
Survivor 50 voting: What can fans decide?
Jeff announced the theme for Survivor 50 at a fan event in February 2025. He explained that Survivor 50 is “in the hands of the fans,” saying that viewers will get to decide major aspects of the upcoming season. The online voting began in February and will conclude on Wednesday, May 21, coinciding with the Survivor 48 finale. The voting allows viewers to have an impact on the game, including whether or not to dismantle the final four fire-making twist and whether to keep or delete Idols from the game. The results have yet to be released.
Survivor 50 twists: What could and should return?
Survivor is constantly reinventing itself. Over the years, production has introduced some great twists that have made the game more challenging and increased the entertainment value. However, not every addition has been a success. Some twists made the game too complicated and fans were not happy. Survivor 50 will likely see the return of Idols. We don’t know the outcome of the vote, but my guess is that fans voted to keep Idols. Some of the greatest moments in Survivor history are thanks to a cleverly used Idol.
The upcoming season will also likely feature the Shot In the Dark twist, which grants players a 1/6 chance at being granted safety. Most of the newer twists were cut after fans protested that they made the game too convoluted. The Hourglass Twist may go down as Jeff’s worst decision ever. But Shot In the Dark was well received by fans. I’m assuming we will see it in Survivor 50.
I am hoping the upcoming season includes the Survivor auction. Producers brought back a revised version of the twist in Survivor 45. I love this twist. It’s a fun respite from the game. Also, it gives players a chance to rest and fawn over food items.
What Survivor 50 needs to do to impress viewers
There is a lot of hype surrounding Survivor 50 and I’m hoping it lives up to fans’ expectations. I think the upcoming season will be a success if producers select a dynamic group of players who want to win. A great cast is often what separates a great season from a mediocre one. They need to choose the players carefully and consider how the cast will gel as a whole.
My biggest concern about Survivor 50 is that Jeff will get too excited (lol). I love that Scorpio King but sometimes, his passion for the game is a hindrance. We don’t need him to add unnecessary twists or make the season “historic” in some way. He needs to allow the castaways to make their own mayhem.
Survivor is available to stream on Paramount+.
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED FOR SURVIVOR 50? WHAT TWISTS DO YOU WANT TO SEE RETURN?
