Grab your torches Survivor fans! The 2026 season of Australian Survivor: Redemption is not only bringing a new host and players to our screens but is also stacked with iconic castaways from the show’s previous seasons.
This year, it’s all about second chances. Ready to face off against an army of new contestants, each returning player is eager to finally reap their rewards.
Here is everything we know about the cast of Australian Survivor 2026.
Who is the host of Australian Survivor 2026?
In a decision that shocked loyal Australian Survivor fans, previous host Jonathan LaPaglia has been replaced this year by David Genet, ending LaPaglia’s 10-year stint on the show.
Now Genet, former contestant and Sole Survivor of the “All Stars” season, will be there to welcome players to the game.
“It was a bit emotional,” Genet admits to TV Week. “I think just the culmination of me having played so much Survivor, having worked in my career so hard to get to this point, and then having the contestants walking towards me just felt like such a big moment.”
While Genet was loved by fans as a player, the decision to axe LaPaglia brought a uproar of reactions from Survivor superfans.
“This is heartbreaking,” one fan commented on reddit. “He really grew into the role super well and is a massive part of Australian Survivor’s success. To find out he was let go like this is really upsetting.”
However, Genet wasn’t fussed by the fans’ response and has expressed nothing but respect for LaPaglia.
Genet said his predecessor was an “amazing” host.
“But I think, when Jonathan was going to be replaced, I’m the best person for the job.”
Who are the contestants on Australian Survivor 2026?
Returning castaways
Brooke Jowett
Fitness guru Brooke is back for her third season of Australian Survivor and she has a lot to prove.
The mum of one originally played in the very first season, and then came back for more in season five, battling neck-and-neck with this year’s host, David Genat.
“Last time I came so close, I did everything that I wanted to do,” she said. “So my redemption story is that I’m coming back to win.”
Harry “Dirty Harry” Hills
Harry Hills is also returning for the third time after narrowly missing out in season four, Champions and Contenders, and five, All Stars, where, like Brooke, he lucked out against Sole Survivor, David Genat.
This year, the ice cream maker has a new strategy for alliances and manipulation, with the sneak peak for the season hinting at a team up between him and fellow returning castaway, Simon Mee.
“I think I’m going to be Sole Survivor because I’ve got everything that is takes,” he revealed in a social media post. “I know how to manipulate people, communicate with people, and combine with people when you have to.”
Simon Mee
Simon Mee is also returning this year with wounds still fresh from the betrayals and blunders of past seasons. He previously competed in season eight, Brains V Brawn, and ten, Heroes V Villains.
This carpenter originally joined the show to have a shot at achieving greatness. Now, he’s back for round three, and hopefully this time, he’s learnt everything he needs to win.
“Now I’m ready to adapt and pivot,” he said. “I’m here to rewrite history, to rewrite the wrongs of my past.”
Mark Warnock
Former diplomat Mark Warnock is the final player to return. After previously playing in season nine, Titans V Rebels, Mark looks to be taking a lot of leadership this season…so much so that it may spark a rebellion.
With plans to make more iconic alliances and “stick [his] feet right into that fire”, Mark is entering the game with no fear.
Newcomers
Cat Hooker
Previously appearing on The Traitors New Zealand as a strong Faithful, Cat made it all the way until the penultimate episode. This occupational therapist has already proved that she has all the skills necessary to build trust and strategically escape elimination when it comes to voting.
Johnson Ashak
Johnson Ashak has graced our screens before as the 2023 runner-up on Big Brother Australia. Now, this reality star is having a change of scenery.
“Did I take Big Brother’s diary room, bed, shower and lounge for granted?” he posted on Instagram. “Let’s find out.”
Lyndl Kean
Model and influencer Lyndl Kean is next to join the jungle.
On Instagram, she shared her excitement, stating “I’ve often been underestimated, and this experience isn’t about proving anyone wrong it’s about proving to myself what I’m truly capable of.”
This content creator (partner to former Bachelor Australia star, Dr Matt Agnew) is ready to be vulnerable and share her true self and personality.
Jackson Goonrey
Pro-wrestler Jackson Goonrey, known also by the stage name Scott Green, is also joining the Samoan jungle.
The contestant was stoked to announce his involvement on the show in an Instagram post where he described himself as “just a small country town kid, living his dream and having a good time doing it.”
Lottie Rae
This artist, Lottie Rae, is known for her title of ABC’s Portrait Artist of the Year.
In the preview for the show, it looks like this newcomer is ready to take on Survivor Australia veterans, Simon and Harry. We can’t wait to see what she has in store.
Ben Nabea Davis
A proud Sabai and Waiben Islander man from the Torres Strait, Ben Nabea Davis is an artist and AFL Indigenous Talent lead.
Honoured as the designer of the 2024 Sir Doug Nicholls Round (SDNR) official game ball, titled ‘Connection’, Ben spoke with football brand Sherrin about how he created the design to symbolise “how footy connects us all, connects people from one side of Australia to the other.”
Don Rogers
Don, 51, is the son of NRL Hall of Fame legend Steve Rogers and brother to two-time Survivor competitor Mat Rogers. He is a carpenter by trade and crane operator by day, as well as a country music artist who loves nothing more than to perform.
“If I had the title of Sole Survivor, that would give me family bragging rights for the next thirty or forty years,” he said.
The other players better watch prepare themselves.
Dr. Blanche Cruz
Dr. Blanche Cruz is a fitness instructor and acupuncturist who shared on Instagram that is ready for some “next level challenges, and the ultimate island adventure.”
Eliza Reilly
This writer, director, and performer is ready to add another line to her resume as she heads to Samoa this season.
From credits like the comedy web-series SHEILAS that she co-created with her sister to writing, directing, and performing in ABC1’s Growing up Gracefully, Eliza is more than ready for this next challenge.
Aisha Wighton
Aisha, 29, is an NDIS support worker based in Brisbane who also works as a model.
She is a proud Wiradjuri woman, raised in Condobolin in the centre of NSW, and is described by friends as honest, funny, and loud.
“I think the biggest misconception about me is because I’m loud and weird, that people don’t take me seriously,” she said. Let’s hope the other competitors don’t make this mistake.
Caleb Beeby
This 28-year-old truck driver currently works from dawn ’til dusk.
Caleb, born and raised in Melbourne, is now living in South Gippsland and is ready for his next adventure.
Daniel Lindberg
Daniel is a 27-year-old youth pastor in Port Hedland, Western Australia. While he always keeps a positive spin on things, he also revels in a good blindside and ruthless gameplay, being a long-time superfan of the show.
“I’m betting on the fact that people are going to be underestimating me in this game for being a pastor because pastors can’t play a brutal, savage game like Survivor.”
Lauren “Loz” Mac
This mum-of-two hails from New Zealand where she lives in the bush in MaungaKotukutuku Valley on the Kapiti coast on the north island. If anyone knows how to survive in the game’s Samoan jungle, it’s Loz.
Richard Skimin
Richard, 46, is a CEO who has been climbing the corporate ladder for 25 years and is ready to use the motivation and strategic thinking he’s built from his investment banking career to come out on top.
It’s not personal, it’s business.
Sally Foord
Sally, 36, is a vintage clothes reseller who is grounded by her inner strength. Bold and vivacious, she intends to lean on her social skills in the game, while bedazzling people with her personality.
Tez Vlamiz
Tez is a 24-year-old criminal law student hailing from Melbourne. Raised on a farm in regional Victoria, this survivor superfan moved to Melbourne with his sister when he was just 14, and is now ready to use his negotiation skills to take out the competition.
Faith Setiawan
Faith, 34, is a caterer by day and is not afraid to juggle multiple plates at once. Working across three separate businesses while also home schooling four of her five children, Faith has a “cool, calm and collected” energy that will help her play the game.
Paula Drew
This 33-year-old Perth based Emergency and Critical Care vet nurse knows just how to read people.
An acclaimed Australasian Croupier Champion, she spent 10 years dealing poker in VIP rooms in Perth, and has developed skills that will no doubt come in handy in the jungle.
Cameron Kwabena Quashie
This 26-year-old MMA fighter is used to fighting for what he wants.
Born in North London, Cameron immigrated to Australia when he was 11-years-old with his mum and is known by his friends as a risk taker.
“I’m coming to this beach and I’m playing Survivor to prove a lot to myself that I can overcome any obstacle, any challenge that comes my way. I’ll be ready, I’ll be present, and I’ll overcome it.”
Keeley
This 30-year-old competitor is a fraud prevention specialist, so she’s used to studying criminal behaviour.
“In my work life, I have to have the ability to read people, communicate with them and get information out of them,” she said. “And in the game of Survivor, people should be scared of that.”
When does Australian Survivor 2026 premiere?
The Australian Survivor 2026 season premiered on Monday, February 23. It is available to watch live on Channel 10 or stream on 10Play.
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