The “Survivor 50” cast votes people back onto the island.

Survivor players name the contestants they want to see back on the show

The "Survivor 50" cast votes people back onto the island.

By Dalton Ross

Dalton Ross is a writer and editor with over 25 years experience covering TV and the entertainment industry. *Survivor* is kind of his thing.

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June 30, 2026 11:15 a.m. ET

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Rob Cesternino; Jerri Manthey; Kaleb Gebrewold on 'Survivor'. Credit:

Monty Brinton/CBS Photo Archive/Getty; Monty Brinton/CBS; Robert Voets/CBS via Getty

- *Survivor* just ended its first returning player season in years. So we asked that cast which players should come back next.

- Who defaulted to picking people from their own seasons and who went rogue? Answers below!

- Two players got two votes to return. Any guesses?

*Survivor* just ended its longest stretch ever of not bringing back returning players. Not counting Bruce Perreault, who competed on *Survivor 45* after suffering an injury just minutes into *Survivor 44*, the franchise was all-newbies all the time on seasons 41 through 49.

But then came the all-star season of *Survivor 50*. Interest, ratings, and… yes, sometimes scrutiny, all shot up for the anniversary season. Which makes it a safe bet we won't have to wait nearly as long to see some familiar faces back on the island. But which faces should those be?

We asked the cast members of the recently completed *Survivor 50* to each nominate a former contestant for return duty. Who made the cut? Read on to find out!

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Colby Donaldson

Colby Donaldson on 'Survivor 50'.

My answer's going to be Burton Roberts. One, because he's my best friend. Two, he survived cancer when he was given zero chance of survival. He's actually healthy enough to compete again and he's one of those guys that got voted out because he was a threat. He was a strong threat back in the day. And so selfishly, I'd love to see Burton Roberts come back and play again.

Aubry Bracco

Aubry Bracco on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

One player I'd want to see come back and play *Survivor* again is Malcolm Freberg. Malcolm got a raw deal on *Survivor: Game Changers,* and I love him.

Charlie Davis

Charlie Davis of 'Survivor 50'.

I would go with Jerri Manthey. That was my answer of someone I missed seeing on the season 50 cast. So yeah, I'd love to see her again.

Chrissy Hofbeck

Chrissy Hofbeck on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

You know who I'm bringing back? I'm bringing back Francesca, because I am sorry, but that girl deserves to have a season where she is not voted out first and she can show people how awesome she can be.

Benjamin “Coach” Wade

Benjamin 'Coach' Wade on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

Cochran, for sure. Oh gosh, are you kidding me? There’s only been one Dragon Slayer, but there's also been one Cochran. There are people that come that are like the poor man's Cochran that try to be witty and clever, but they can't hit that nail on the head as succinctly as Cochran. So, for me, it would be Cochran, hands down.

Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick

Stephenie LaGrossa Kendrick on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

You know what? I've never said this before, but I've been thinking about it a lot. Coby Archa. Coby was hilarious and he loves the game and he wreaks havoc out there and enjoys every second of it. I think he would be a blast to watch again.

Joe Hunter on 'Survivor 50'.

Gail Schulman/CBS

Shauhin from season 48. That's who. And the reason why I want Shauhin is he is underestimated in terms of his strategic gameplay, his social gameplay, he’s a challenge beast, and also his ability to understand the game. He could adapt to any season you put him in.

Emily Flippen

Emily Flippen on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

There are so many people who I want to see come back and play again. I have to shout out Kaleb from season 45 though, because he’s a person that I personally experienced who has so much more still to offer, and he is electric when you put him on camera. So I'd love to see him play again.

Christian Hubicki

Christian Hubicki on 'Survivor 50'.

I really want to see Rob Cesternino. He got screwed on fricking *Traitors*. I want to see him play again. I was rooting for him so hard on that show. I want to see him back on *Survivor*.

Genevieve Mushaluk

Sam Phalen and Genevieve Mushaluk on 'Survivor 47'.

I would love to see Sam Phalen play *Survivor* again. He was so fun to play with and he's brilliant, incredibly kind, fun, and everything I like and look for in a *Survivor* player.

Rizo Velovic

Rizo Velovic on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

I'm gonna have to do a homer pick first. Sophi Balerdi from season 49. I would love for her to come back. But besides the homer pick, there's something about Malcolm's *Game Changers* exit that really pains me to this day. I gotta say Malcolm Freberg in hopes that RizGod 3.0 will be there with him.

Tiffany Ervin

Tiffany Ervin on 'Survivor 50'.

I want Kyle to come back and play again. I know Kyle has already won, but I was so devastated when he got hurt this season and I feel like he deserves another chance. I want to see him give it another go.

Jonathan Young

Jonathan Young on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

I think I would like to see Drea play again. Drea Wheeler from season 42. She is a strong woman, and I think that she had a little bit of a disadvantage on season 42 because I didn't know that she wanted to work with me, and I would be with her if she played again.

Savannah Louie

Sophi Balerdi and Savannah Louie on 'Survivor 49'.

Sophi Balerdi needs to come back ASAP. She is an incredible gamer. She has an incredible social game, incredible strategic game, and I would love to see her play this game again.

Rick Devens on 'Survivor 50'.

Gavin Whitson. Get him out there! People don't understand how hilarious Gavin is, and I think if he came back to play *Survivor* again, you would see all that Southern wit come out full tilt, and he'd give you a little bit more Rick Devins in his game and it would just be outstanding.

Ozzy Lusth and Mike White on 'Survivor 50'.

Robert Voets/CBS

The number one player I would like to see come back and play again would have to be Mike White. I would love to see Mike just get one more shot at the game.

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