Now that Survivor has been airing for more than 25 years, Jeff Probst’s beloved reality show is reaching a massive milestone. New fans who are figuring out which seasons to watch first will soon have even more options after Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans finishes airing.

Since there have been many fantastic players, amazing winners, entertaining seasons, and shocking medical evacuations, Survivor has extremely dedicated fans. In fact, many Survivor fans know incredible facts, like that former players have refused to return to the show in the past. Of course, those Survivor fans love watching new seasons without knowing what will happen so they can fully invest. Despite that, Jeff Probst announcing the cast of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans has become a spoiler because of some of the show’s most passionate fans.

There Was A Major Leak Of The Cast For Survivor 50: In The Hands Of The Fans

Since Survivor’s so-called “new era” began, there have been many parts of the show that were great. On the other hand, there have also been many aspects of the hit reality show during those years that many fans have complained about.

One of the biggest problems with the “new era” is that the seasons all felt the same on a certain level. After all, with each season only having numbered titles, it is only the superfans who can say who played during Survivor 41 versus Survivor 42.

For that reason, when fans learned that Survivor 50 was going to be a landmark season with returning players, there was a lot of excitement. Sadly, however, just before the cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans was announced, it was leaked online.

From the moment that fans learned that Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans would have all returning players, they couldn’t want to learn who would be cast. Sadly for those fans, they were still forced to wait months to learn who made the cut.

Then, on May 29th, 2025, fans saw a video of Jeff Probst announcing the cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. That video can still be seen today on Survivor’s official Instagram account.

However, on May 27th, 2025, the entire cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans leaked online.

At least, it certainly seemed like there was a leak since some notable people in the community, including former players, seemed to take the reported cast seriously on social media.

No matter who was taking the leaked cast seriously, however, the whole thing could easily have been completely fake. Instead, fans who got emotionally attached to the leaked cast could have felt like their torch was being snuffed when Jeff officially announced the cast.

In fact, there was a really obvious reason for fans to expect that the leaked cast was fake. According to the leak, Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans was set to have 24 players. No Survivor season had that many players in the past, so that almost seemed like confirmation that the leaked cast was fake.

Since the leak contains spoilers for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, this article won’t link to them. That said, the leaks are really easy to find on the internet.

Any fans who have seen that leak will be able to confirm that it was exactly right. The leaked cast matched what Jeff announced perfectly, aside from one very important detail.

When Jeff announced the cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, he didn’t reveal two of the people who would be playing. Instead, Jeff simply stated that two players from Survivor 49 will be competing during the landmark season.

On the other hand, the leak names those two Survivor 49 players who will compete during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. While those names haven’t been officially confirmed, they are almost certainly right. After all, there aren’t any logical reasons why every leaked name from Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans’ cast would be right except the Survivor 49 players.

How Jeff Probst And The Show’s Fans Have Spoiled Part Of Survivor 49

When the players from Survivor 49 return for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, their tribemates won’t have seen them compete during a past season. Throughout Survivor’s past, there have only been a handful of players who’ve competed and returned for the next season without anyone seeing them on the show. Based on that fact, fans can draw a remarkable conclusion.

During Survivor: Samoa, Russell Hantz competed on the show for the first time. Russell was then asked to return for the next season, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains even though fans hadn’t gotten to see him play yet.

There is no doubt that Russell was brought back immediately because he impressed Survivor’s producers so much.

The two players from Survior 49 who are part of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans’ cast clearly accomplished something impressive during their first season. While they may not have won the season or even gone very far, there is no doubt that the two players really impressed Jeff Probst and the team behind Survivor.

Since those two players have almost certainly been identified, that is a spoiler for Survivor’s fans who care enough about the show to learn about the leaked names. After all, fans who know which two players are returning should realize they won’t be voted out before they do remarkable things during Survivor 49.