We still have a little bit of time before Survivor 50 hits our screens, but we are definitely thinking ahead. Part of thinking ahead to season 50 is coming up with some of our dream castings. Which players from previous seasons do we want to see return to our screens and take on the new challenge that the series has to offer?
With over 700 contestants having taken part in this social experiment about survival and interpersonal relationships in a castaway situation, there are a lot of players we could choose from when it comes to casting for Survivor 50. That's why we decided to take a look at the runners-up. These are the players who came so close to winning, but ultimately fell short.
In a lot of cases, every one of these runners-up played a game that almost earned them the title of sole Survivor, so we would love to see how they play the game again. Do they have what it takes to go all the way or would they end up in the same position all over again?
Charlie Davis
Charlie Davis not winning season 46 of Survivor was a bit of a shock. While we liked Kenzie Petty, who ultimately won the season, there was at least one vote that we expected to go to Charlie. That did not happen.
So when he didn’t win, after a great season of gameplay, we were shocked, and it left us wanting to see him get the chance to play again. We appreciate the fact that he got the chance to host On Fire with Jeff Probst throughout season 47, but that’s not enough for us. We want to see Charlie get the chance to prove that he has what it takes to be a Survivor winner. Because I do think he has the ability to win it all.
Cassidy Clark
In Survivor 43, Cassidy Clark was a great Survivor player who went into the game with one plan, but continually had to defend herself against repeated attempts to get her taken out. The fact that she made it to the finale was proof that she was a brilliant competitor. Honestly, I was shocked that she lost to Mike Gabler.
After seeing her compete on The Challenge: USA season 2, there is no doubt that she deserves another chance to prove that she could be the Sole Survivor. Her game play is fierce and her competitive nature would make her a force to be reckoned with.
Dean Kowalski
In Survivor: Island of the Idols (season 39), Dean Kowalski was ultimately a really solid Survivor player. While he started in a bad position with his initial tribe, his ability restart his game at the merge meant that he made it all the way to the Final Three. While he wasn't able to win over the jury, it is clear that he learned as he played the game.
I think it would be interesting to see Dean step back into the Survivor ring for a chance to showcase his skills and everything he learned from going from the outs to runner-up. Perhaps this time he could end up as the winner.
Survivor 50 will premiere in February 2026, according to CBS. Stay tuned for more cast updates!