CBS via Getty The all-star cast ofSurvivorseason 50 was announced on May 28 The White Lotuscreator Mike White is returning to compete on the milestone season The theme for season 50 is "In the Hands of the Fans" Mike Whiteis trading the glamorousWhite Lotuslife for the sweaty and strategic gameplay ofSurvivor. The creator of the hit HBO series, along with 23 otherSurvivorall-stars, is returning for the upcoming historic 50th season of the CBS competition series. Survivorseason 48 just ended, and season 49 hasn't even premiered yet, but fans are already looking forward to the landmark television event, which will pit past players against one another. "Here's what we realized early on, that castingSurvivor 50was kind of like casting the ultimate all-time movie,"SurvivorhostJeff Probstsaid during a May 28 appearance onCBS Mornings. "And you think about all the actors that are alive today that you could put in that movie, but there's only so many roles, and we wanted 50 to be a little taste of everything." So, who is returning forSurvivorseason 50, and when will the highly anticipated game premiere? Here's everything to know about the upcoming landmark 50th season ofSurvivor. Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty; Robert Voets/CBS via Getty; David M. Russell/CBS via Getty Fan favorites spanning the entire history ofSurvivorare back for the series' milestone 50th season. There will be 24 players competing on season 50, making it the show's largest cast ever. Probst exclusively announced the participating contestants on the May 28 episode ofCBS Mornings. In addition to White, other returning players include Jenna Lewis-Dougherty from the very first season,Cirie Fieldsand Ozzy Lusth — both competing for their fifth time — along with season 45 winner Dee Valladares and season 48 winner Kyle Fraser. Out of the 24 returning players, 22 names were announced, with two slots being left open for contestants from the upcoming 49th season. Like pastSurvivorseasons, the all-stars will compete for a $1 million prize. OnCBS Mornings, Probst admitted how, after the success ofThe White Lotus, he thought White (who originally came in second onSurvivor: David vs. Goliath) would never compete again. "But he kept texting and saying 'Look, I'm serious if you ever do anything where you have returning players I want to play again,' " said theSurvivorhost. "So we're happy to have Mike back." One player who will not be returning isElisabeth Hasselbeck. The former co-host ofThe View, who originally competed on the second season ofSurvivor,confirmedthat she would not be back for the 50th. "No, I'm not doingSurvivor. That is funny though," she said on her Instagram Stories. "I'm not doing that. I wanna be with my family and a burger in the backyard." Robert Voets/CBS Viewers will influence the upcoming season since the theme forSurvivor 50is "In the Hands of the Fans." "From the very first season,Survivorhas been evolving. Now, for our 50th season, it's time for the next evolution," Probst said in a statement. "Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fansis unlike anything we've done before. For the first time ever, our loyal fans will take control — deciding key elements of the game, from twists to idols to advantages. I can't wait to see what the fans choose for our returning players!" Over the past few months, viewers voted on elements of the upcoming milestone season, helping decide on everything from the tribe colors to choosing to keep the fire-making challenge and hidden immunity idols. They also decided whether to have the "Live Finale and Reunion Show in L.A. — or Keep the Winner Reveal and Aftershow in the Jungles of Fiji." Bill Inoshita/CBS Photo Archive via Getty Survivorseason 50 will be filmed in Fiji's Mamanuca Islands, the same location the series has been set since season 33. CBS via Getty While an exact premiere date forSurvivor 50: In the Hands of the Fanshas not been announced, the season is expected to debut on CBS in February 2026. Robert Voets/CBS Survivorseason 49 will premiere this fall on CBS. An exact date has not been announced, but like previous seasons, itwill airon Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST. Robert Voets/CBS via Getty Survivorseason 50 will air on CBS and stream onParamount+. All seasons ofSurvivorare also available to stream on Paramount+. Read the original article onPeople
