The Lowdown
“Open Era” is Survivor’s answer to the complaint that the new era got predictable. If production really does pull from the whole history of twists without warning, superfans lose their biggest advantage: knowing the format. That could make this the most strategically chaotic season in years.
Key Takeaways
- Survivor 51 premieres with two hours on Wednesday, September 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+ (CBS).
- It launches the “Open Era,” in which any twist, idol or advantage from the show’s history can come into play without warning (CBS).
- Episodes run 90 minutes weekly from September 30 (CBS).
- The 21 castaways compete in Fiji for $1 million (CBS).
The Story
Survivor starts a new chapter tonight. The 51st edition premieres with a two-hour episode on Wednesday, September 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, streaming on Paramount+, then shifts to 90-minute weekly episodes from September 30 (CBS).
CBS calls this the start of the series’ “Open Era,” in which “every twist, every idol, every advantage in the series’ history may come into play in any order and without warning.” Host Jeff Probst returns as castaways are stranded in Fiji competing for the title of Sole Survivor and the $1 million prize (CBS).
The 21 new players were revealed in a YouTube livestream in August. They include pro wrestler Brady Booker, sociology professor Angelica “Jelly” Loblack, medical student An “Thien An” Nguyen, voice actress Ana Sani, livestock farmer Carter Krull, criminal defense attorney Alexis Levine and OB-GYN resident Sharonda Cox (CBS). Variety highlighted a Grey’s Anatomy actor and the voice of Strawberry Shortcake among the group (Variety).
The full cast: Aaliyah Puglia, Alexis Levine, An “Thien An” Nguyen, Ana Sani, Angelica “Jelly” Loblack, Brady Booker, Carter Krull, Cristian Chavez, Danny “Kilby” Kilby, Devin Way, Eric Macksoud, Jenna Doore, Kristin Flickinger, Lewis Kelly, Linnea Capobianco, Maggie Nestor, Mike Pinsky, Ori Jean-Charles, Patt Cannaday, Rob Antonson and Sharonda Cox (CBS).
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More Context
- CBS / Paramount Press Express — Survivor reveals the 21 new castaways of the Open Era ↗
- Variety — Survivor 51 cast ↗