The official cast of “Survivor 49” has been revealed, featuring 18 brand-new castaways ready to outwit, outplay and outlast the competition. While the latest players to join the Emmy-winning reality series includes the likes of a NASA rocket scientist and a former Marvel Studios executive, longtime host Jeff Probst revealed in a statement that two cast members were added to the season’s lineup just hours before the game began.
Robert Voets/CBSThose players come in the form of 32-year-old legal clerk Jason Treul and 29-year-old fitness trainer Michelle “MC” Chukwujekwu. The duo originally traveled to Fiji as alternates for the season, but officially joined the “Survivor” family after two prospective castaways were sent home before filming began.
A historic first for the longrunning series, Probst opened up about “Survivor” producer’s last minute descision in an interview with Entertainment Weekly following the August 20 cast announcement.
Jeff Probst Reveals Why Two Players Were Cut From Cast Hours Before Filming
“What I can say about the reason we made the move is this: ‘Survivor’ has rules and standards, and if a player crosses that line, we act,” said the host. He went on to explain that the players had been removed from the cast for violating the show’s pre-game rules that prohibit contestants from engaging in any kind of communication with one another before filming begins.
The rule, put in place to prevent players from forming pre-season alliances and to preserve the authenticity of the game, stipulates against prospective players engaging in any kind of verbal, non-verbal, or physical contact during their pre-game quarantine.
“It’s one of the reasons we bring alternates,” said Probst, adding that the tradition of bringing more castaways than necessary to Fiji ahead of filming acts as sort of “insurance” policy for producers.
“Typically, we bring alternates in case somebody gets sick or has a panic attack and can’t begin the game,” he said. “That’s very, very, very rare there. But regardless why we brought them there initially, they are also there to serve as a reminder that we do put a lot of importance on the integrity of the game, and we won’t let anything or any person put that in jeopardy.”
Probst Sees Jason and MC’s Last-Minute Addition as an Advatage
While Jason and MC flew to Fiji ahead of filming knowing that they likely wouldn’t appear on “Survivor 49,” Probst explained that the duo were “suddenly thrust into the game” with just 12 hours notice.
“It was a shock, for sure,” the host continued.
Despite having less than a day to mentally prepare for “Survivor,” Probst told EW that he saw Jason and MC’s last minute addition to the cast as an “advantage” for the players.
“You’ve spent a week observing, but without the pressure of thinking you were going to have to play and put it into motion,” said the host, adding, “Jason and MC find themselves in this marooning challenge that 12 hours ago they were dreaming might happen one day and suddenly it’s right in front of them.”
Probst went on to identify the moment as a “completely unique situation” for “Survivor,” adding that he hopes the last-minute casting shuffle will add a “cool layer to this experiment.”
‘Survivor 49’ is Most Alternate-Heavy Season in Series History
Jason and MC will similarly be joined on the “Survivor 49” cast by two former alternates, Sage Ahrens-Nichols and Sophie Segreti, who were alternates for Season 47 and 48, respectively.
Robert Voets/CBS“We have four alternates playing,” said Probst, noting the historic series first. “When we tell you you’re an alternate, we tell you what that means. It means we want you on the show. We just don’t have a spot for you this season. And we really mean it.”
Probst added that he hopes “Survivor’s” most alternate-heavy season will encourage future alternates to hold out hope that they’ll eventually find themselves on the beaches of Fiji searching for Hidden Immunity Idols and attending Tribal Council ceremonies. Conversely, the longtime host said he also hopes this moment acts as warning to future prospective castaways that the show takes its rules very seriously.
“The word should spread,” he said, “Just because we tell you you’re on the show – until the game begins, you’re not on the show.”
“Survivor 49” is set to make its two-hour CBS debut on Wednesday, September 24 at 8:00pm ET.
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Jeff Probst Confirms Two ‘Survivor 49’ Players Joined the Cast Just 12 Hours Before Filming in Series First