The Survivor 49 cast has been officially revealed, and the new season promises to bring fresh drama, bold personalities, and unforgettable strategies to Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands. Premiering on September 24, 2025, the long-running CBS reality series returns with 18 new castaways divided into three tribes, each determined to outwit, outplay, and outlast their competition for the million-dollar prize.
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A Closer Look at the Survivor 49 Cast
This season’s lineup highlights a diverse range of ages, careers, and life stories. From corporate executives to creative entrepreneurs, every contestant comes with unique strengths they believe can help them survive the harsh environment and tough social game.
Some of the standouts include:
- Kimberly “Annie” Davis – A musician and entrepreneur from Texas, bringing creativity and resilience.
- Nate Moore – Former Marvel Studios executive, offering leadership and entertainment industry insight.
- Jake Latimer – A Canadian correctional officer who faced personal sacrifice by missing the birth of his first child while competing.
- Savannah Louie – Former TV reporter ready to prove her adaptability in a new environment.
- Michelle “MC” Chukwujekwu – A fitness trainer with energy and determination.
- Rizo “Rizgod” Velovic – A tech sales professional with a bold and confident personality.
- Kristina Mills – An MBA coach with sharp strategy skills.
- Sage Ahrens-Nichols – A clinical social worker focused on emotional intelligence and human connection.
Other contestants include wellness specialists, consultants, entrepreneurs, law clerks, video editors, ramp agents, and more. Ages range from mid-20s to early-50s, making this season a mix of youthful drive and seasoned perspective.
Historic Replacement Twist
Before cameras even started rolling, Survivor 49 made headlines when two contestants were removed from the game just hours before filming began due to pre-game rule violations. In their place, alternates Jason Treul and Michelle “MC” Chukwujekwu were flown in at the last minute, creating an unprecedented start to the season.
This marked one of the rare times in Survivor history when multiple alternates stepped directly into the cast so close to the beginning of filming. Alongside them, other former alternates like Sage Ahrens-Nichols and Sophie Segreti made the final lineup, giving this season one of the most alternate-heavy casts to date.
Filming and Premiere Details
- Location: Mamanuca Islands, Fiji
- Filming Dates: April 20 – May 15, 2025
- Premiere: September 24, 2025, with a two-hour episode on CBS
- Tribes: 18 castaways split into three tribes of six
- Episode Format: Premiere episode is two hours; weekly episodes will run 90 minutes
- Future Twist: Two players from this season will return in Survivor 50, adding more stakes to every decision
Survivor 49 Cast at a Glance
| Castaway | Age | Profession / Background | Tribe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimberly “Annie” Davis | 30s | Musician / Entrepreneur | Kele |
| Nate Moore | 40s | Former Marvel Executive | Uli |
| Jake Latimer | 30s | Correctional Officer | Kele |
| Savannah Louie | 30s | Former Reporter | Uli |
| Michelle “MC” Chukwujekwu | 20s | Fitness Trainer | Hina |
| Jason Treul | 20s | Law Clerk | Hina |
| Kristina Mills | 30s | MBA Coach | Hina |
| Rizo “Rizgod” Velovic | 20s | Tech Sales Professional | Uli |
| Sage Ahrens-Nichols | 20s | Clinical Social Worker | Uli |
| Shannon Fairweather | 20s | Wellness Specialist | Uli |
| Nicole Mazullo | 30s | Financial Consultant | Kele |
| Sophi Balerdi | 20s | Entrepreneur | Kele |
| Jeremiah Ing | 20s | Events Manager | Kele |
| Jawan Pitts | 20s | Video Editor | Uli |
| Matt Williams | 20s | Ramp Agent | Hina |
| Additional contestants (x3) | — | Various Professions | Mixed |
Early Buzz and Storylines
Even before the first immunity challenge, several storylines have emerged:
- Jason & MC’s Late Arrival: Will entering at the last minute give them an advantage as fresh faces, or leave them isolated without early alliances?
- Jake’s Emotional Journey: Missing his child’s birth adds a layer of personal sacrifice that could impact his strategy.
- Annie’s Big Personality: Known for her boldness, she’s expected to be a firecracker in camp life and tribal dynamics.
- Savannah’s Raw Take: Having described Survivor as brutally real, fans are eager to see her resilience tested.
- Fan-Favorite Stakes: With Survivor 50 on the horizon, every move carries extra weight, as two players from this season will return for the milestone edition.
What Makes Survivor 49 Unique
This season stands out for:
- The highest number of alternates joining a main cast in franchise history.
- A younger-leaning age range, but still including a few older players for balance.
- Larger weekly episodes, giving fans more strategy, drama, and survival content.
- Emotional personal stories already shaping the narrative before the first tribal council.
The Survivor 49 cast is already making waves, and with early twists, bold personalities, and emotional backstories, this season is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about chapters in the franchise.
Who’s your early pick to win Survivor 49? Share your thoughts in the comments and keep following for more updates throughout the season.