When it was announced that Survivor was set to have a landmark season, fans of Jeff Probst’s beloved reality show were very excited. However, whether they were new fans who were still figuring out which seasons to watch first or longtime viewers, nobody knew what to expect. Then, it was announced that in hopes of creating a fantastic season with great players and one of the best winners, Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans was going to have an all-stars cast.

The kind of fan who knows players have refused to return and about the first person to be medically evacuated couldn’t wait to find out who would be returning. When the cast for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans was announced, it was revealed that two Survivor 49 players will be part of the season. Based on the show’s lengthy history, fans should expect the Survivor 49 players who will be part of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans to be extremely noteworthy.

On May 28th, 2025, Jeff Probst announced the cast of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, as can be seen in an Instagram video. As a part of that video, Jeff stated that two players from Survivor 49 would be joining the upcoming season’s cast.

Since Survivor 49 hadn’t aired yet as of the time of the announcement, fans were left more in the dark about the upcoming landmark season. Since fans don’t know much of anything about the Survivor 49 players’ personalities, it is near impossible to predict what they will be like during Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.

However, based on the history of the show, fans know more about the two returning Survivor 49 players than they realize. Viewers should expect the two players who will return for Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans to be incredible during Survivor 49.

By the time that Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans began filming, not even the first episode of Survivor 49 had aired.

That means that the team behind Survivor took a risk by bringing back two players that they hadn’t seen fans of the show react to yet.

Even though that is a huge risk to take for a major network TV show, the team behind Survivor has made that move in the past. In fact, there have been four other times when a player fans hadn’t seen yet were brought back for the next season.

Survivor 50’s Cast

• Jenna Lewis
• Colby Donaldson
• Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick
• Cirie Fields
• Ozzy Lusth
• Benjamin “Coach” Wade
• Aubry Bracco
• Chrissy Hofbeck
• Christian Hubicki
• Angelina Keeley
• Mike White
• Rick Devens
• Jonathan Young
• Dee Valladares
• Emily Flippen
• Quintavius ‘Q’ Burdette
• Tiffany Nicole Ervin
• Charlie Davis
• Genevieve Mushaluk
• Kamilla Karthigesu
• Kyle Fraser
• Joe Hunter
• Two Survivor 49 Players

Based on who was brought back in the same way, it seems very safe to assume the Survivor 49 players will make a huge mark on their first season.

The first player to ever film their second season before fans first saw them on Survivor was Russell Hantz. Widely regarded as one of Survivor’s biggest villains ever, Russell is often depicted in a very negative light for things he’s done on the show and off. Still, there is no debating that Russell had a huge impact on Survivor during his first season.

The first player to ever find an immunity icon without a clue, Russell’s tireless work ethic and willingness to betray and deceive gave him immense power in the game. Ultimately, Russell dominated his first season, Survivor: Samoa, and even made it to the final tribal council before losing.

Based on the power of his Survivor: Samoa performance, Russell returned to film the next season, Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, before fans saw him play.

The next player that Survivor producers brought back without their first season airing is Malcolm Freberg. Remembered for being one of the most popular Survivor players ever, Malcolm also had a history of dominating in the game.

A huge social and strategic threat who is solid in challenges, Malcolm was able to build extremely strong bonds and go far. During his first season, Malcolm created the season’s most powerful alliance, with Denise Stapley, and they went far in the game.

Malcolm came in fourth place during Survivor: Philippines and then returned for the following season, Survivor: Caramoan, before fans saw him.

During Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X, Michaela Bradshaw and Zeke Smith both made their debuts on the show. Fortunately for both of them, Zeke and Michaela proved when they played for the first time that they were highly strategic players with fantastic social skills. As a result, Michaela and Zeke both made a huge mark on fans before they were voted out for being too threatening.

Before Survivor: Millennials vs. Gen X aired, Zeke and Michaela were brought back for the following season, Survivor: Game Changers.

Between Russell, Malcolm, Michaela, and Zeke, there was one thing they all had in common. They all impressed fans during their first season. As a result, it is safe to assume that only impressive players are brought back to Survivor before their first season airs. With that in mind, fans should be excited that it seems clear that the two Survivor 49 players who were tapped to return already are very likely to be impressive, at least during their first season.

History Shows That Fans Have Even More Reasons To Believe In Survivor 49’s Two Returning Players

There is another reason to have big expectations for Survivor 49’s players who are part of Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans. On top of the four other players who returned before their first season aired, another six people have competed in two back-to-back Survivor seasons. That list of players further proves why fans should be excited about Survivor 49’s two players who have already filmed their second season.

Two of the other players who competed back-to-back are highly memorable, even if they aren’t considered at the highest level. Those players are Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick and Shirin Oskooi.

The four other players who played two seasons in a row became some of the most popular Survivor players ever. Those four players are Rupert Boneham, Amanda Kimmel, James Clement, and Joe Anglim. Rupert is widely considered the most popular player ever, a title he richly deserves, and he was the first person to compete in back-to-back Survivor seasons.

There are two other Survivor legends who were a major part of two back-to-back seasons. After being coaches during Survivor: Island of the Idols, “Boston” Rob Mariano and Sandra Diaz-Twine competed during the next season, Survivor: Winners at War.

Looking at the full list of players who’ve been parts of two seasons in a row, the two Survivor 49 players have a lot to live up to.