Survivor announces 18 new castaways competing on the milestone 45th season
On Wednesday, September 6, Survivor revealed the 18 new castaways who will compete when the long-running reality series returns for its milestone 45th season. The season premieres Wednesday, Sept. 27 (8:00–9:30 PM ET/PT) on CBS and launches a new era of extended 90-minute original episodes that allow the show to explore contestants’ strategies, relationships and the physical challenges in greater depth.
Currently nominated for three Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Reality Competition Program, Survivor continues to be available to stream on Paramount+ — live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, and on demand the day after airing for Paramount+ Essential subscribers. The series is hosted by Emmy Award winner Jeff Probst.
After 23 years and 652 episodes on television, Survivor returns to the islands of Fiji with new production scope and a fresh group of competitors. With longer weekly episodes, viewers will see expanded storytelling and more of the social and strategic gameplay that defines the series.
This season’s 18 players will be split into three tribes of six and face a faster, grittier contest from the very first challenge. Each castaway brings a different background and perspective, but they share the same goal: to outwit, outplay and outlast everyone else and become the Sole Survivor, earning the $1 million prize.
Notably, the cast includes the return of Bruce Perreault, who was medically evacuated just minutes into the previous season after an injury during the opening challenge.
Survivor Season 45 Cast
Entertainment Weekly has published additional photos and biographies for each player with more background on their lives and approaches to the game.
Julie Alley
Age: 49
Hometown: Brentwood, Tenn.
Current residence: Brentwood, Tenn.
Occupation: Estate attorney
“Sifu” Alsup
Age: 30
Hometown: O’Fallon, Ill.
Current residence: O’Fallon, Ill.
Occupation: Gym owner
Drew Basile
Age: 23
Hometown: Birmingham, Mich.
Current residence: Philadelphia, Pa.
Occupation: Graduate student
Sabiyah Broderick
Age: 28
Hometown: Locust Grove, Ga.
Current residence: Jacksonville, N.C.
Occupation: Truck driver
Austin Li Coon
Age: 26
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
Current residence: Chicago, Ill.
Occupation: Graduate student
Brandon Donlon
Age: 26
Hometown: Sicklerville, N.J.
Current residence: Sicklerville, N.J.
Occupation: Content producer
Sean Edwards
Age: 35
Hometown: Lawrence, N.J.
Current residence: Provo-Orem, Utah
Occupation: School principal
Emily Flippen
Age: 28
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Current residence: Laurel, Md.
Occupation: Investment analyst
Kaleb Gebrewold
Age: 29
Hometown: Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
Current residence: Vancouver, British Columbia
Occupation: Software sales
Janani Krishnan-Jha (stage name: J. Maya)
Age: 24
Hometown: San Francisco, Calif.
Current residence: Los Angeles, Calif.
Occupation: Singer
Brandon “Brando” Meyer
Age: 23
Hometown: Oak Park, Calif.
Current residence: Seattle, Wash.
Occupation: Software developer
Kendra McQuarrie
Age: 31
Hometown: Haverhill, Mass.
Current residence: Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Occupation: Bartender
Kellie Nalbandian
Age: 30
Hometown: Weston, Conn.
Current residence: New York, N.Y.
Occupation: Critical care nurse
Jake O’Kane
Age: 26
Hometown: Hanson, Mass.
Current residence: Boston, Mass.
Occupation: Attorney
Bruce Perreault
Age: 47
Hometown: West Warwick, R.I.
Current residence: Warwick, R.I.
Occupation: Insurance agent
Hannah Rose
Age: 33
Hometown: Woodbridge, Conn.
Current residence: Baltimore City, Md.
Occupation: Therapist
Katurah Topps
Age: 35
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Current residence: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Occupation: Civil rights attorney
Dee Valladares
Age: 26
Hometown: Havana, Cuba
Current residence: Miami, Fla.
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Survivor is hosted by Emmy Award-winning host Jeff Probst and produced by S.E.G. Holdco., LLC. Executive producers for the season include Mark Burnett, Jeff Probst, Matt VanWagenen, Kahaia Pearson and Jesse Jensen.