Everything to Watch Before the Premiere of ‘Survivor 50’

Filming for “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” is nearly finished, meaning fans are one step closer to seeing the landmark season, which is currently set to make its CBS debut in early 2026. Featuring the series largest-ever cast, the season will see 24 players from the show’s 25-year history return to battle it out for the title of “Sole Survivor.”

The official cast, announced on May 28 following the “Survivor 48” finale, features series legends, former winners, and two players that fans won’t even meet for the first time until “Survivor 49” airs this fall. Plenty of the season’s castaways have crossed paths before – whether as allies or enemies – on past “Survivor” appearances.

To freshen up your knowledge of its returning players and their interwoven histories, here’s everything “Survivor” superfans will need to binge before “Survivor 50” premieres next spring.

‘Survivor: Borneo’ (Season 1)

Jenna Lewis-Dougherty on "Survivor: Borneo" — Jenna Lewis-Dougherty on “Survivor: Borneo”

Going all the way back to the very first season of “Survivor” in 2000, fans will remember “Survivor 50” castaway Jenna Lewis-Doughterty from her time on the beaches of Bornoe. With the show still in its infancy, Jenna, alongside other Season 1 castaways, failed to catch on to the social game of “Survivor” before they were picked off by the Tagi Alliance. On Day 27, Jenna fell victim to Sean Kenniff’s notorious alphabetic voting strategy.

While “Borneo” was Jenna’s first “Survivor” appearance, it’s not the last time fans saw her on the show before she was announced for “Survivor 50.”

‘Survivor: Australian Outback’ (Season 2)

Colby Donaldson on "Survivor: The Australian Outback" — Colby Donaldson on “Survivor: The Australian Outback”

Colby Donaldson was a self-employed car tuner when he joined the cast of “Survivor: Australian Outback” in 2001. While his time on the Ogakor tribe is remembered mostly for his hot-and-cold rivalry with Jerri Manthey, Colby was eventually able to earn a spot at Final Tribal Council alongside Tina Wesson, who ultimately defeated Donaldson in a 4-3 jury vote.

‘Survivor: All-Stars’ (Season 8)

Jenna Lewis-Dougherty and Colby Donaldson on "Survivor: All-Stars" — Jenna Lewis-Dougherty and Colby Donaldson on “Survivor: All-Stars”

Both Jenna and Colby were invited back to compete on “Survivor: All Stars” in 2004. The season marked the first time that CBS had invited back previous “Survivor” players to compete again. Meant to pit the best-of-the-best against each other, “All Stars” featured now-famous “Survivor” players like Rob “Boston Rob” Mariano, Rupert Boneham and Rob Cesternino.

Despite never playing together on “All Stars,” it’s possible that Jenna and Colby’s connection from the season could come into play on “Survivor 50”.

‘Survivor: Palau’ (Season 10)

Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick on "Survivor: Palau" — Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick on “Survivor: Palau”

Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick made history on “Survivor: Palau” when she became the only player to ever be on a tribe of one. In the pre-Merge portion of the game, Stephenie’s Ulong tribe held a historic losing streak that sent them to seven consecutive Tribal Council ceremonies, with LaGrossa-Kendrick being the tribe’s last woman standing, defeating Bobby Jon Drinkard in “Survivor”s very first fire-making challenge.

As the odd woman out of the Merged Koror tribe, Stephenie was eventually voted out on Day 30, but has since been regarded as one of the series’ biggest fan-favorite players.

‘Survivor: Guatemala’ (Season 11)

Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick on "Survivor: Guatemala" — Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick on “Survivor: Guatemala”

For “Survivor: Guatemala,” CBS welcomed back both Stephenie and Bobby to compete alongside 16 all-new castaways. Over the course of the season, LaGrossa-Kendrick became the first player to vote out all of the other players on their starting tribe, albeit on different seasons, when she voted out Bobby on Day 24.

Stephenia went on to finish the season as a runner-up, losing the title of “Sole Survivor” to Danni Boatwright in 6-1 jury vote.

‘Survivor: Panama’ (Season 12)

Cirie Fields at "Survivor: Panama" Finale — Cirie Fields at “Survivor: Panama” Finale

Cirie Fields rose to fame as the “woman who got up off the couch” to play “Survivor” after she joined the cast of “Survivor: Panama” in 2006. While she wasn’t a physical threat like other castaways on the season, such as Aras Baskauskas and Terry Dietz, Cirie’s keen observational skills and social prowess allowed her to land a spot in the season’s Final Four.

‘Survivor: Cook Islands’ (Season 13)

Ozzy Lusth on "Survivor: Cook Islands" — Ozzy Lusth on “Survivor: Cook Islands”

“Survivor: Cook Islands” saw the first appearance of series legends like Parvati Shallow and Jonathan Penner, as well as Ozzy Lusth, who will appear on Season 50 this spring. Despite a rocky start on the Aitutaki tribe, Ozzy utilized his fitness and likeability to avoid elimination and win five of the season’s six individual Immunity Challenges. Lusth ultimately finished his “Cook Islands” appearance as a runner-up.

‘Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites’ (Season 16)

Ozzy Lusth and Cirie Fields on "Survivor: Micronesia" — Ozzy Lusth and Cirie Fields on “Survivor: Micronesia”

Both Cirie and Ozzy returned to compete on “Survivor: Micronesia,” which pitted ten former castaways against ten “Survivor” superfans, in 2007. Starting the game on the Malakal tribe, the duo were able to survive through the Merge until Ozzy was blindsided by Cirie and Paravati’s Black Widow Brigade on Day 27. Cirie, on the other hand, was able to ride her alliance to the end of the game, eventually becoming the 8th and final member of the jury on Day 38.

‘Survivor: Tocantins’ (Season 18)

Benjamin "Coach" Wade on "Survivor: Tocantins" — Benjamin “Coach” Wade on “Survivor: Tocantins”

Famously known as “the Dragon Slayer,” Benjamin “Coach” Wade made his “Survivor” debut on Season 18 – “Survivor: Tocantins.” To this day, Coach remains one of the series most memorable castaways, due in no small part to his eccentric stories and long list of hobbies, including zen mediations, classical music, and coaching women’s soccer.

Despite his quirks, Coach was able to establish relationships with power players like Tyson Apostol and J.T. Thomas before his melodramatic Final Five elimination.

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains’ (Season 20)

Colby Donaldson, Cirie Fields, Benjamin "Coach" Wade and Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick on "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains" — Colby Donaldson, Cirie Fields, Benjamin “Coach” Wade and Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains”

Rewatching “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” will be key to understanding pre-game “Survivor 50” alliances between players like Colby, Stephenie, Cirie, and Coach. The quartet appeared on the 2010 season, which saw 20 returning players split into tribes based on their prior reputations as “Heroes” and “Villains.”

While Colby, Stephenie and Cirie were placed on the “Heroes” tribe, Coach joined returning players like Russell Hantz, Boston Rob, and Parvati on the “Villains” tribe. In the end, none of them were able to defeat Sandra Diaz-Twine for the title of “Sole Survivor.” Colby, voted out on Day 37, came the closest, with Stephenie, Cirie and Coach being voted out on Days 6, 11 and 21, respectively.

‘Survivor: South Pacific’ (Season 23)

Benjamin "Coach" Wade and Ozzy Lusth on "Survivor: South Pacific" — Benjamin “Coach” Wade and Ozzy Lusth on “Survivor: South Pacific”

Both Ozzy and Coach joined the three-timers club when they returned to compete on “Survivor: South Pacific” in 2011. Similar to Stephenie’s return on “Guatemala,” the 23rd season invited back two returning players – one on each tribe – to compete against a brand new cast of castaways.

The season similarly featured the return of the “Redemption Island” format, which allowed Ozzy to become the only castaway ever to be eliminated three times in a single season after he worked his way back into the competition twice thanks to his challenge prowess. While Coach finished the season in 11th place, Ozzy was only narrowly eliminated ahead of Final Tribal Council.

‘Survivor: Kaôh Rōng’ (Season 32)

Aubry Bracco on "Survivor: Kaoh Rong" — Aubry Bracco on “Survivor: Kaoh Rong”

Marketing Director Aubry Bracco made her “Survivor” debut on the cast of “Survivor: Kaôh Rōng” in 2016. Sorted on the “Brains” tribe of the “Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty” season, Aubry initially struggled to find her footing, suffering a severe panic attack early on in the game. She quickly overcame her struggles, however, and emerged as a serious strategic threat, ultimately scoring a spot at Final Tribal Council, where she lost the season in a 5-2 vote in favor of “Sole Survivor” Michele Fitzgerald.

‘Survivor: Game Changers’ (Season 34)

Aubry Bracco, Ozzy Lusth and Cirie Fields on "Survivor: Game Changers" — Aubry Bracco, Ozzy Lusth and Cirie Fields on “Survivor: Game Changers”

Aubry returned two seasons later for “Game Changers.” The fourth season to feature all returning players, the cast similarly featured Cirie and Ozzy, both back for their fourth “Survivor” appearance, as well as series legends like Tony Vlachos and Troyzan Robertson.

While Ozzy was voted out shortly after the merge, both Cirie and Aubry managed to make it to the end of the game, eliminated on Day 36 and Day 37, respectively. Despite not winning the season, Cirie’s run on “Game Changers” was historic. Not only was she the only castaway to never have her name written down for elimination, she also became the first player ever to be eliminated solely for being the only player without immunity.

‘Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers’ (Season 35)

Chrissy Hofbeck on "Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers" — Chrissy Hofbeck on “Survivor: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers”

Chrissy Hofbeck made her “Survivor” debut on the “Heroes” tribe of “Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers” in 2017. Emerging as a strategic force early on in the game, Chrissy went on to win four Individual Immunity Challenges before finishing the season as a runner-up to “Sole Survivor” Ben Drienergen.

Chrissy will be the only “old” era player on “Survivor 50” with no prior connections to the other castaways.

‘Survivor: David vs. Goliath’ (Season 37)

Christian Hubicki, Angelina Keeley and Mike White on "Survivor: David vs. Goliath" — Christian Hubicki, Angelina Keeley and Mike White on “Survivor: David vs. Goliath”

Pitting a tribe of underdogs against a tribe of accomplished leaders, “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” gave birth to now-iconic castaways like Christian Hubicki, Angelina Keeley and “The White Lotus” creator Mike White – all of whom will return to compete on “Survivor 50.”

Despite starting on the “David” tribe, Christian quickly established himself as a threat in the game, excelling in making allies, finding Hidden Immunity Idols and winning Individual Immunity before he was voted out on Day 35. Meanwhile, both Angelina and Mike, who remained allies throughout the game, secured spots next to each other at Final Tribal Council, though they ultimately lost the competition to Nick Wilson.

‘Survivor: Edge of Extinction’ (Season 38)

Aubry Bracco and Rick Devens on "Survivor: Edge of Extinction" — Aubry Bracco and Rick Devens on “Survivor: Edge of Extinction”

Aubry returned for her third appearance on the cast of “Survivor: Edge of Extinction” in 2019 as one of the season’s four returning players. While Aubry’s “Survivor” career put a target on her back, leading to her being blindsided at her first Tribal Council, the season also introduced castaway Rick Devens.

A News Anchor from Georgia, Rick was initially voted out on Day 11. Thanks to the season’s “Redemption Island” format, however, he was eventually able to win his way back into the competition on Day 17. For the remainder of the game, Devens kept his head above water by winning Immunity Challenges and savvily playing Hidden Immunity Idols. At Final Four, Devens fell victim to a fire-making challenge against the season’s eventual winner, Chris Underwood.

New-Era Seasons

An additional 12 players from the “new era” of “Survivor” will similarly join the cast of Season 50.

’Survivor 42’

From “Survivor 42,” Jonathan Young is remembered as one of the most dominant challenge performers in “Survivor” history. Despite being a physical threat post-Merge, Jonathan was able to secure a spot in the Final Four by working with allies like Mike Turner. Like Rick Devens, Young was also eliminated as the result of the dreaded Final Four Fire-Making Challenge.

’Survivor 45’

Emily Flippen and Dee Valladares both made their debut on “Survivor 45” in 2023. Despite an awkward start, Emily was eventually able to secure a spot in the final seven when she teamed up with Dee’s Reba Four alliance post-Merge. Dee, on the other hand, exercised control over the game from start to finish, eventually becoming the season’s “Sole Survivor.” She is one of only two past winners returning to compete on “Survivor 50.”

’Survivor 46’

A trio of contestants from “Survivor 46” will similarly be joining the Season 50 cast in the forms of Q Burdette, Tiffany Ervin and Charlie Davis. Q and Tiffany are sure to bring some mention of their chaotic start on the Yanu Tribe before they were eliminated post-Merge. Charlie, on the other hand, established himself as a threat on the season, orchestrating three blindsides, each sending castaways home with Hidden Immunity Idols in their pockets, eventually securing a spot at Final Tribal Council.

’Survivor 47’

Returning from “Survivor 47” is Genevieve Mushalak, who spent most of the game fighting for her life before she was eventually eliminated in 5th place.

’Survivor 48’

Joe Hunter, Kamilla Karthigesu and Kyle Fraser from “Survivor 48” were announced to be joining the “Survivor 50” cast just one week after the finale of their original season aired. Working in tandem, all three players secured spots in the Final Four alongside Eva Erickson. In the end, however, it was Kyle’s decision to send Kamilla, his closest ally, to the Final Four fire-making challenge, that won him the title of “Sole Survivor” over runner-up Joe.

Upcoming Viewing: ‘Survivor 49’

The official cast of “Survivor 50” will similarly feature two players making their first appearances on “Survivor 49” this fall. While the identities of these two players has not been confirmed, it has been rumored that Rizo Velovic and Savannah Louie, who make a brief appearance in the teaser trailer for the upcoming season, will be returning.

That makes 22 seasons of “Survivor” in total that superfans will need to catch up on ahead of “Survivor 50” next spring, equating to nearly three seasons per month if the season follows tradition and premieres in late-February.