Watch: 'Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans' Cast RevealedThe tribe producers have spoken. Ahead of Survivor season 50-which features all returning players-host Jeff Probst explained why fan favorites Rob "Boston Rob" Mariano, Parvati Shallow, and more season 40 alums weren't asked back. "We made a decision not to bring any of the winners from Winners at War because we had just seen them and it was a big season," Jeff explained on the Oct. 22 episode of his On Fire podcast, which he cohosts with winner Jeremy Collins. "And I know a lot of people are going to miss players like Jeremy, but that was the reason why. That simple." Although the season 40 castaways won't be outwitting, outplaying and outlasting for that $1 million prize, there are still plenty of stars who will reignite their torches, including season 37's Mike White and Christian Hubicki, season 13's Ozzy Lusth and season 12's Cirie Fields. And this certainly isn't the same game old school Survivor alums Jenna Lewis-Dougherty and Colby Donaldson once played.readSurvivor 50 Cast Revealed"In the seasons prior to 41, it was a different game," Jeff explained of the twist that began after Covid in 2021. "Every single element contributes to shaping the game and thus, the gameplay. I can't say this enough. When we birthed Survivor 41, we birthed a new game." "It is still fundamentally the same format, but we changed a lot of dynamics and we forced a different pace," he continued. "You are playing hard out of the gate in the new era because you have to." Among the most significant changes is a shorter game: Castaways now compete for 26 days instead of 39.
Rob Latour/Shutterstock/Rob Latour/Shutterstock"Let's just remember seasons before 41 did not have things like a Beware Advantage or a Journey or the Shot in the Dark," Jeff said of the new twists in the game. "All of that changes the nature of the game." So come season 50, it'll be a true face-off between old school and new school players. "What's going to be interesting about 50 is somebody like Jeremy or Colby who have played many times, but they played a slower pace," he teased. "Not an easier or more difficult game, but a different pace because of the game design. How's that going to work?" See for yourself when season 50 premieres in 2026. Until then, keep reading to see who is returning to the beaches of Fiji.
Robert Voets/CBSMike WhiteSeason 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)Jeffrey Neira/CBSCirie FieldsSeasons 12 (PANAMA-EXILE ISLAND), 16 (MICRONESIA - FANS VS. FAVORITES), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)Robert Voets/CBSOzzy LusthSeasons 13 (COOK ISLANDS), 16 (MICRONESIA - FANS VS. FAVORITES), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC), 34 (GAME CHANGERS)Robert Voets/CBSBenjamin "Coach" WadeSeasons 18 (TOCANTINS - THE BRAZILIAN HIGHLANDS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS), 23 (SOUTH PACIFIC)Monty Brinton/CBSStephanie Lagrossa KendrickSeasons 10 (PALAU), 11 (GUATEMALA), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)Monty Brinton/CBSJenna Lewis-DoughertySeasons 1 (BORNEO), 8 (ALL-STARS)Monty Brinton/CBSColby DonaldsonSeasons 2 (THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK), 8 (ALL-STARS), 20 (HEROES VS. VILLAINS)Robert Voets/CBSTiffany ErvinSeason 46Robert Voets/CBSCharlie DavisSeason 46Robert Voets/CBSQ BurdetteSeason 46Robert Voets/CBSEmily FlippenSeason 45Robert Voets/CBSDee ValladaresSeason 45 WinnerRobert Voets/CBSJonathan YoungSeason 42Robert Voets/CBSChristian HubickiSeason 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH)Robert Voets/CBSAngelina KeeleySeason 37 (DAVID VS. GOLIATH) Robert Voets/CBS via Getty ImagesKyle FraserSeason 48 WInnerJeffrey Neira/CBSAubry BraccoSeasons 32 (KAÔH RONG - BRAINS VS. BRAWN VS. BEAUTY), 34 (GAME CHANGERS), 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)CBSChrissy HofbeckSeason 35 (HEROES VS. HEALERS VS. HUSTLERS)CBSRick DevensSeason 38 (EDGE OF EXTINCTION)CBS/Paramount NetworksKamilla KarthigesuSeason 48CBS/Paramount NetworksJoseph HunterSeason 48Robert Voets/CBSGenevieve MushalukSeason 37For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Watch: 'Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans' Cast RevealedThe tribe producers have spoken. Ahead of Survivor season 50-which features all returning players-host Jeff Probst explained why fan favorites Rob "Boston Rob" Mariano, Parvati Shallow, and more season 40 alums weren't asked back. "We made a decision not to bring any of the winners from Winners at War because we had just seen them and it was a big season," Jeff explained on the Oct. 22 episode of his On Fire podcast, which he cohosts with winner Jeremy Collins. "And I know a lot of people are going to miss players like Jeremy, but that was the reason why. That simple." Although the season 40 castaways won't be outwitting, outplaying and outlasting for that $1 million prize, there are still plenty of stars who will reignite their torches, including season 37's Mike White and Christian Hubicki, season 13's Ozzy Lusth and season 12's Cirie Fields. And this certainly isn't the same game old school Survivor alums Jenna Lewis-Dougherty and Colby Donaldson once playe