Survivor Second Chance was one of the most successful, hyped seasons in the history of the show. Yet despite that season airing over 10 years ago and the show now in Season 50, Survivor has never returned to the fan-voted format for selecting its cast, nor the concept of a returning season made up of those that didn’t win, but deserve another shot. The format is undeniable gold and should come back in due time. So with that, I cast my own Survivor Second Chance 2, featuring players from Kaoh Rong (Season 32) to Survivor 50.

CRITERIA

This list is limited to one-time players, who didn’t win the game. It will only feature players from Survivor Kaoh Rong to the current season (Survivor 50). While there’s compelling characters from long before the thirties, I think it would be better to pick from the thirties and forties, since there’s been so few opportunities for returning players since the first Second Chance season, and those from the “old school” of Survivor had more opportunities to show up.

In my selections, I’m looking for those that make television gold, either through their gameplay, storytelling, or mess. The best often check all three boxes. I’m also looking for a cast full of diverse archetypes and personalities, rather than a season of big bro-y dudes like Survivor 50; sorry not sorry.

First, I’ll select my 24-player cast. Then, I’ll make a case for a few alternates. It’s inevitable that a ballot would include more than 24 names, but I wanted to include the ones that I would personally cast on the show, assuming they were all given a spot on the ballot. Here it is!

FIRST ON THE BALLOT

ANDY RUEDA

Out of all new era players, Andy was one of the most thoughtful confessionalists, and one of the best at positioning himself in the game. With a rocky start at the beginning and coming out as one of the favourites to win by the end, Andy had a clear story-arc that would be great on a second showing. I was surprised to see him not get the call for Survivor 50, but giving him more time before a second call won’t be a bad thing for his potential to shine again.

JESSE LOPEZ

A theme has immediately emerged with these early selections: Those that strangely missed out on Survivor 50 without explanation. Jesse is one of the most puzzling, as the clear and undeniable best player of his season. Jesse pulled off some massive moves, some of them necessary and others more memorable. By all accounts he should have won his season, and it’s still an enigma how he managed to lose.

CAROLYN WIGER

Carolyn is one of the most beloved characters in Survivor history. Historically, Survivor has brought back big characters and big personalities. Even when so much more irritating and inauthentic (not to name names but look no further than the cast of Game Changers). Carolyn is unapologetically herself, and combines her strong feels with actual sound reads and gameplay. She was one of the stars of the Traitors US Season 3, and this should have been a knock in her favour, rather than a strike against her when they cast Season 50.

DOMENICK ABBATE

I have little idea how Dom Abbate didn’t win Survivor 35 despite his dominant performance alongside Wendell. I also have no idea how he hasn’t returned to Survivor since. Dom is one of the most dominant non-winners, one of the most deserving finalists to never win, and one of those players that deserves another shot.

SOPH BALERDI

Sophie Balerdi has something about her that makes everyone want to work with her. She’s fantastic at playing all sides, remaining in the good graces of everyone, and explaining her game to the cameras. With a little more nuance and killer instinct, Soph finds a way to sit at the end of the season with some combination of Rizo, Kristina and Sage, and wins the season. Even sitting next to Savannah, she had a case. But with slightly less to overcome and survive than Rizo and Savannah, she might have always, unfairly, been seen as the third. She would likely be great on a second season.

DEVON PINTO

Devon Pinto is another one of those “should have won” players that got screwed over from fire making and Survivor’s reliance on idols and advantages. His move to plant a vote on Mike at the final five forever remains one of the only memorable moments of this season beyond Ben’s dominance. Despite being a bigger guy with a lot of brains, he’s able to play the role of the unassuming surfer bro, and that’s why he makes such a captivating player. Would love to see what a player like Devon can do on a second shot.

CYDNEY GILLON

The fact that Cydney Gillon hasn’t returned after her fourth place finish on Kaoh Rong is either down to her own desire, or to the complete stunt casting nature of returning seasons. Cydney had such a compelling storyline in her season having first worked with the villains of the season in Scott and Jason, and then being a part of their demise as she ran the tables with the other strong women in the season – Aubry and Michele. Both have returned and cemented themselves as Survivor legends. Cydney deserves that chance too.

SHAN SMITH

Shan was such a dominant force in her season, and then went out in 8th place, replaced in the lore of Survivor 41 by Ricard and Erica. Ricard took her spot as the ‘should have won’ person. Erica took her place as the best player from the season. But everyone watching Survivor 41 will remember much of those early days as the Shan show. It’s surprising that she wasn’t in the mix for Survivor 50. And she should be in the mix for a return sometime in the future if she wants it.

GOOD PICKS

RICARD FOYE

Ricard made a name for himself alongside Shan, forming one of the most deadly partnerships of the entire new era. After eliminating Shan, he just found himself to be the undeniable biggest target left in the game, paving a way for Erica to seize power and win. But Ricard should be remembered as one of the best new era players, and someone who would be interesting to see again.

JAY STARRETT

Jay is one of the most surprising non-returners from the 30’s. He played such an all-out, dynamic and fluid game on his first time around, and brought a lot of fun energy to an already fun season. I can just see him being someone everyone wants to work with, and something about that is compelling.

FRANNIE MARIN

Frannie emerged as one of the most dangerous players immediately into the merge phase of Survivor 44, winning the first few challenges. As someone who smiles when she talks and has so much energy to her voice in every conversation, Frannie just brings fun to any cast she’s a part of. Taken out too soon for that challenge prowess, Frannie could be a dangerous returning player.

CARSON GARRETT

Carson was another beloved character on Survivor 44, fulfilling the nerd archetype in a way that seemed so much more cool and refreshing. He ended up being the popular kid on his season with ears and eyes in every direction. He was only 20 at the time and might not have won as a result, but he deserved a lot of acclaim for the way he maneuvered his way through the season, and would be a great, likable returnee.

LAUREN ASHLEY BECK

Lauren Ashley Beck had so much solid gameplay in that strong duo between her and Tommy, before going out right before the final three. She and Tommy ran that season, and it’s Tommy who will get all the credit, after winning with a bit of a slam dunk 8-2-0 vote. Lauren was there every step of the way, and has stayed involved in the Survivor community with a podcast of her own. I hope she gets her second chance some day, especially as her season grows further and further into the distance with all of the new era seasons.

DAVIE RICKENBACKER

Davie was another great, fun character on the show. He had infectious energy, so much personality in confessionals, and played his heart out all the way to a sixth place finish on his season. Everyone loves David vs. Goliath, and Davie would be one of the last “must have” returners to come out of the season.

SAM PHALEN

Similarly to Austin, I’d like my muscly male archetype to be one that’s remembered far more for strategy and social relationships. Sam was one of the key orchestrators of Operation Italy, and the dominant force behind the starting phases of his tribe. Cut off from the rest of the players early into the merge for being one of those clear threats to win the game, Sam still fought his way to the final three to make his claim. Sam has so much knowledge of the game and would be great on a second-time as someone able to clearly communicate what he wants to accomplish in the game.

JAWAN PITTS

Made to be the pariah of his tribe in the early days of the game, Jawan continued to be a likable, fun presence on the show all the way toward the end of the game. He played with so much passion, playing that double agent role better than most who have tried before him. Might be in the minority here, but I love Survivor 49 and think it displays one of the most dynamic post-merges in the new era. Jawan was a central tenet to all that fluidity. Hopefully he’s not one who gets lost in the shuffle, because he’d be so fun on a return.

HANNAH SHAPIRO

It’s been a while since Millennials vs. Gen X, but Hannah Shapiro remains a memorable presence in the Survivor community, and a great student of the game. Hannah had a decent case to win her season, despite not receiving a single jury vote at the end. She’s a great confessionalist and strategist, and would be able to offer a lot to the season.

WORTHY OF THE BALLOT

OMAR ZAHEER

I remember Omar as a cool, calculated gameplayer with a lot of control over the game in his season. Since his season, it’s been proven in other appearances how messy he is as a gameplayer. This makes the case all the stronger for his return. He’s a fun character who’s able to mix that heart and emotion with solid strategy. Like Carolyn but so much less over the top.

SOPHIE SEGRETI

Sophie Segreti was one of the most under-edited players of the new era. Clearly a threat to win the game and a threat seen by all as a strong player, we never saw enough of what Sophie thought about the game, and where she wanted to go. She flipped on her original tribe to go with the strongest players of the season, which always makes for a compelling storyline. Hopefully the next time, people actually want to work with her!

VICTORIA BAAMONDE

Victoria was another excellent player that had her time on the show cut too short with the twists of the Edge and the show’s incessant reliance on idols to bring entertainment. Victoria had so much fun, cutthroat energy to her. Wise beyond her years as a then 23-year-old, Victoria would be fun to see as a now 30-year-old.

KELLEE KIM

Most Survivor fans will have tried to block Survivor 39 out of their mind, but for her desire to be innovative with her use of the idol, fans won’t forget Kellee Kim. Gone far too soon, it would be interesting to see how well Kellee could play on a return, should she want to come back to the show.

GABBY PASCUZZI

Gabby is undoubtedly a smart player who got outshone by her closest ally in Christian Hubicki. Christian was this undeniable star who you couldn’t help but love, and Gabby was his sidekick. It would be interesting to see Gabby star on her own, or with a new set of allies. She’s a solid strategist, a good social player, and a good ally. I’d love to see her play again.

MARY ZHENG

Mary had a lot to offer in Survivor 48, as one of the rare, strong opposers to the dominant structure in the game. She existed within it, couldn’t bust it down, but played really well from the bottom. Being placed on the “disaster tribe”, constantly being hit with strays from Sai, and unable to enter the merge with enough numbers, Mary couldn’t really play a game that she otherwise might have been capable of producing.

AUSTIN LI COON

If we’re going down the route of the muscly dude, I’d like my muscly dude to be one that didn’t win any challenges, and maneuvered his way through solid strategy and social relationships. Outclassed in the end by Dee, Austin played an awesome game alongside his alliance, made calculated risks at the right time, and recognized the threats he needed to eliminate from the game. Except Dee, who he deservedly lost to. He might be one with a bit of trauma from losing his season with such an obvious fatal flaw, and that would be interesting to see play out on a return.

ALTERNATES

JAMES JONES

Since his season, James Jones has appeared on a number of RHAP podcasts, and every single time, he delivers. He speaks so eloquently about the game, and always has some new cutting edge theory about the game that screams brilliance. He’d be awesome to watch a second time. In the same vein, Drew Basile and Dwight Moore would also make for solid ballot contenders.

LAUREN O’CONNELL

A loyal ally to Kelley Wentworth, Lauren O’Connell could have won Edge of Extinction had it been a normal season. She was only 21 at the time of playing, and like the next player on this list, it would be interesting to see how much she’s grown and learned since her first time playing.

LAUREL JOHNSON

There’s something compelling about the ghosts that haunt returning players. Laurel will undoubtedly have plenty of those, especially if placed on another season with Dom Abbate. Everyone online was screaming from their couches for her to make a move on Wendell and Dom, and she wouldn’t let this happen again on a returning season. Would she be the most dynamic TV? No. Would she have a compelling storyline? Certainly.

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So there it is! My 24-player cast for Survivor Second Chance 2, and who I’d vote on from the ballot if they were selected to be a part of it. Who would you put on the season? Share your thoughts below! Thanks for reading and see you soon!