Joe Hunter is returning to Fiji — and to the game.
The West Sacramento fire captain, who made a powerful impression on “Survivor 48,” has officially been named to the cast of “Survivor 50,” CBS announced during a May 28 segment on “CBS Mornings.” The upcoming milestone season marks the largest cast in the show’s history, with 24 returning players — including fan-favorite legends and recent standouts.
Hunter, 45, finished in third place on Season 48 after playing what many viewers considered a quiet but emotionally resonant game. Competing in honor of his late sister, Joanna, Hunter used the platform to bring awareness to domestic violence and California’s newly enacted Joanna’s Law, which he and his family championed following her death.
During his time on the show, Hunter never had a vote cast against him — a rare feat for any contestant. His story reached a poignant high in the final episodes when he read a heartfelt letter from his son and delivered an emotional message to his sister at the shoreline. Though he didn’t walk away with the $1 million prize, Hunter earned the respect of the jury and viewers alike.
Now, he’s back — and he’s not the only familiar face.
A star-studded cast for Survivor 50
The 50th season of “Survivor” is pulling out all the stops. Alongside Hunter are some of the franchise’s biggest names, including Cirie Fields, Ozzy Lusth, Colby Donaldson, and “The White Lotus” creator Mike White. CBS also confirmed that the cast spans from early-era players like Jenna Lewis (Season 1) to recent standouts from “Survivor 48” and “Survivor 49,” including Hunter’s former tribemates Kyle Fraser and Kamilla Karthigesu, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Fraser, who won “Survivor 48,” secured the final immunity challenge and took Hunter to the Final Tribal Council. Karthigesu narrowly missed the top three after losing a fire-making challenge to Eva Erickson.
Hunter earned one jury vote in the finale, but his season-long performance — from alliance-building to endurance challenges — was widely praised for its authenticity and heart.
Two firefighters, one unforgettable season
Hunter wasn’t the only firefighter to compete in Season 48. Fire Lieutenant Chrissy Sarnowsky, a 26-year veteran of the Chicago Fire Department, also joined the cast. Sarnowsky, 55, aimed to inspire young girls to pursue careers in firefighting and beyond.
Though she was blindsided at the jury phase, Sarnowsky’s resilience and message resonated with viewers and helped bring national attention to the role of first responders on reality TV.
What to expect in ‘Survivor 50'
While CBS has not revealed the exact format for Season 50, fans were given the chance to vote on key game elements in the spring of 2025. Producers say those decisions will now shape how the landmark season plays out. Notably, this is the first time since 2015 that a cast was announced before filming began, Entertainment Weekly reported.
Hunter’s return is already drawing excitement from fans who were moved by his journey on Season 48. For the fire captain who once said he was playing for his sister, “Survivor 50” is a second chance to finish what he started — and maybe, this time, bring home the title of Sole Survivor.
