Meet the cast of 'Survivor 50': Mike White returns, plus a Season 1 favorite
Meet the cast of 'Survivor 50': Mike White returns, plus a Season 1 favorite
Kaitlin ReillyTue, February 24, 2026 at 12:19 AM UTC
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Survivor is back and bigger than ever: The super-size 50th season of the hit reality show is the largest yet, with a whopping 24 fan favorites from previous games seeking to outwit, outlast and outplay their competitors.
This season, titled Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, will see the group divided into three tribes, each starting with eight players before whittling down their numbers at each tribal council. And with the players already well aware of each other’s approach to game play (with the exception of the Season 49 competitors, who played back-to-back games) these aspiring Sole Survivorsare entering the island with many preconceived ideas about their fellow competitors. That includes who they want booted ASAP.
Among the players this year areThe White Lotus creator Mike White, marking his second time seeking out the Sole Survivor crown. Meanwhile, Jenna Lewis-Dougherty, who appeared on the first season of the show in 2000, as well as Season 8’s all-star season, will also compete. So, too, will Cirie Fields, who has appeared on four previous seasons of the show — and went on to win the first season of The Traitors and compete on Big Brother.
Here’s a rundown of all the players.
The Cila Tribe
Cila Tribe: Joe Hunter, Savannah Louie, Christian Hubicki, Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth, Emily Flippen, Rick Devens and Jenna Lewis-Dougherty. (Robert Voets/CBS)Rick Devans
Rick Devens. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Edge of Extinction
Though he only played one season of the show, Devens is deeply rooted in the Survivor fandom as host of the show’s official podcast On Fire.
Jenna Lewis-Dougherty
Jenna Lewis-Dougherty. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous seasons: Borneo, All-Stars
Lewis-Dougherty was a part of the very first season of Survivor back in 2000, becoming the second tribal council member when she exited the game in eighth place. She returned for the show’s All-Stars season in 2004, when she finished in third place.
Cirie Fields
Cirie Fields. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous seasons: Panama, Micronesia, Heroes vs. Villains, Game Changers
Prior to the current season of Survivor, Fields appeared on four seasons of the U.S. version. Last year, she represented her home country on Australian Survivor. Fields, however, has yet to earn the title of Sole Survivor.
“Cirie scares me because she’s so good,” Jonathan Young told the Hollywood Reporter of Fields. “She’s like a mom out here. Everybody respects Cirie, but I think everybody fears Cirie.”
Emily Flippen
Emily Flippen. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 45
Flippen, a financial analyst, came in seventh place during her one Survivor game. She told THR she’s concerned about the brawnier players, such as Young, who tend to be protected early on.
Christian Hubicki
Christian Hubicki. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: David vs. Goliath
Hubicki, who placed seventh on his season, is a robotics professor, and once recited his master’s thesis during an immunity challenge to stay focused.
Joe Hunter
Joe Hunter. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Survivor 48
Hunter, who went viral for assisting fellow player Eva Erickson during an autistic “episode” on her season, finished third after playing a compassionate game.
Savannah Louie
Savannah Louie. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Louie is one of the few Sole Survivors competing this season, having taken home the $1 million prize on the 49th season. She is also one of the two players this season to play back-to-back games, something that could be an advantage to her.
Wade told THR that he doesn’t have a “good vibe” from the two Season 49 players for that reason. “I don’t know them but I’m having flashbacks of Russell [Hantz] and how he came into Heroes vs. Villains and nobody knew how he played and he lied to us,” Wade said. “I have a fear of the two new players because they know all of us, and none of us know how they play.”
Ozzy Lusth
Ozzy Lusth. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous seasons: Cook Islands, Micronesia, South Pacific, Game Changers
The strong competitor crushed many physical challenges during his four previous games, but lacked some of the other skills necessary to become Sole Survivor — he finished as the runner-up to his first season, which was Cook Islands, and in third place on South Pacific.
The Kalo Tribe
Kalo Tribe: Jonathan Young, Dee Valladares, Mike White, Kamilla Karthigesu, Charlie Davis, Tiffany Ervin, Benjamin "Coach" Wade and Chrissy Hofbeck. (Robert Voets/CBS)Charlie Davis
Charlie Davis. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 46
Davis, Survivor’s biggest Swiftie, played only once before, having been betrayed by his ally Maria in the final tribal council.
Tiffany Ervin
Tiffany Ervin. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 46
Ervin previously finished in eighth place on Season 46, and previously told Entertainment Weekly, she’d love to return to the game before her Season 50 casting was announced.
Chrissy Hofbeck
Chrissy Hofbeck. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers
Hofbeck was a runner-up on her only season playing Survivor. She took home four different immunity challenges during her run.
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Kamilla Karthigesu
Kamilla Karthigesu. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 48
Karthigesu played just two seasons ago, but she’s back, having previously gotten to the final episode of the series. That season was won by Kyle Fraser, who is also competing on Survivor this season.
Stephenie LaGrossaKendrick told THR that Karthigesu is someone who “concerns” her a lot in the game. “She prides herself on lying and likes to lie,” she said, noting that she’s a “huge threat.”
Dee Valladares
Dee Valladares. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 45
Entrepreneur Valladares took home the Sole Survivor trophy her first time playing, becoming the first Cuban-American to earn the win.
Benjamin “Coach” Wade
Benjamin “Coach” Wade. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous seasons: Tocantins, Heroes vs. Villains, South Pacific
The self-described “Dragon Slayer” and former soccer coach returns to the game for the fourth time.
Mike White
Mike White. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: David vs. Goliath
The writer, director and actor came in second place on the David vs. Goliath season. For anyone concerned that Season 4 of The White Lotus will take a creative dip due to White’s focus on Survivor, he said it’s actually the opposite.
“To be totally honest, it's one of the appeals of coming here is I need to stop thinking about The White Lotus,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I love it, but I also feel like it's a fire hose into my mouth of feedback on the show coming up. And I want the next season to be inspired. I want it to really be great and not just trying to fulfill another slot or something. And I think the only way it can be that is if I really get a reset.”
Jonathan Young
Jonathan Young. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 42
The brawny Young — he’s both an athlete and a bodyguard — is back, having previously finished in fourth place on his sole season.
The Vatu Tribe
Vatu Tribe: Colby Donaldson, Genevieve Mushaluk, Rizo Velovic, Angelina Keeley, Q Burdette, Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick, Kyle Fraser and Aubry Bracco. (Robert Voets/CBS)Angelina Keeley
Angelina Keeley. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: David vs. Goliath
Keeley is one of the three players from Season 37. She appeared in a cameo role on the third season of The White Lotus in Thailand, thanks to her connection to White. Ahead of Season 50, Donaldson revealed to THR that he considers Keeley a “big threat” to the other players.
Aubry Bracco
Aubry Bracco. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous seasons: Kaôh Rōng, Game Changers, Edge of Extinction
Bracco, who debuted in the 32nd season subtitled Brains vs. Brawn vs. Beauty, used her wit to outplay her competitors throughout her three seasons. She was the runner-up of that initial game but failed to make it as far in her next two attempts.
Q Burdette
Q Burdette. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 46
Burdette, who fans may remember became the subject of another player’s ire when he took home an Applebee’s reward, brought plenty of charm to the show. Ultimately, he came in sixth place.
Colby Donaldson
Colby Donaldson. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous seasons: The Australian Outback, All-Stars, Heroes vs. Villains
Donaldson, an early Survivor fan favorite, hasn’t played the game in more than a decade, having come in fifth place — and the last “hero” standing — on Heroes vs. Villains in 2010.
Kyle Fraser
Kyle Fraser. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 48
Fraser became Sole Survivor of Season 48, right ahead of his Season 50 competitor Karthigesu. The two had a secret alliance during the game, allowing them both to make it to the end.
Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick
Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous seasons: Palau, Guatemala, Heroes vs. Villains
Kendrick was the show’s runner-up in Season 11, but wasn’t so lucky her third time playing, as she was booted off early in Heroes & Villains — something she admitted she was quite salty over.
Genevieve Mushaluk
Genevieve Mushaluk. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 47
The corporate attorney was one of the villains of the 47th season, placing fifth and becoming a jury member. She told Entertainment Weekly she’d happily come back for another season: “You've got to say yes because it's such an adventure,” she said.
Rizo Velovic
Rizo Velovic. (Robert Voets/CBS)
Previous season: Season 49
Velovic is playing back-to-back games, with the so-called RizGod coming in fourth place on Season 49.
Watch Survivor Season 50 on CBS and Paramount+ on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
