Still stinging from not seeing fan favorite and Vacaville native Joe Hunter walk away with the top prize on Season 48 of Survivor?
Don’t you fret. He’s coming back for Season 50!
Vacaville native and Sacramento Fire Captain Joe Hunter will compete again on CBS’ Survivor for season 50. (COURTESY)
The cast for the CBS milestone season was unveiled Wednesday morning in a special video announcement by show host Jeff Probst who read out 22 names of former players who hail from all the way back to the show’s beginning 25 years ago. Two more contestants will be named after the finale of Season 49 this fall, when two players from that season will join the 50th season cast.
In announcing Hunter’s return, Probst described him as a contestant “who played one of the most emotional and loyal games of any player ever while physically dominating in challenges” adding, “Joe is back.”
The 50th show will not air until the spring of 2026, with filming presumably happening later this year.
Titled “In the Hands of the Fans,” “Survivor” fans were able to vote on several aspects of the Season 50 game prior to filming, including whether to have hidden immunity idols available for players and if there will be a final four fire-making challenge.
Hunter, a Sacramento Fire captain, could not be reached for comment Wednesday but he has expressed to various interviewers that he would be interested in competing again, saying his competitive side wants another chance.
Hunter, 45, finished in third place on Season 48, 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.
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Also returning for season 50 will be contestants Kyle Fraser (who won season 48) and Kamilla Karthigesu, who was a secret ally of Fraser’s throughoutt the season. In an interview with The Reporter, Hunter said he was surprised by their alliance.
And he said he was thankful for the season and honored to have experienced it.
This time around, Hunter won’t be among the oldest of the contestants on the show. Three people named to the case are 54 including the most famous Mike White, the American filmmaker and actor who created, writes, and directs the ongoing HBO satirical comedy anthology series The White lotus, for which he has won three Primetime Emmy Awards.