Jeff Probst has opened up about selecting the cast of Survivors.
In a new conversation with PEOPLE MagazineProbst revealed how extensive the casting process was Survivor long-awaited return edition.
According to the longtime host and showrunner, the team initially started with a huge list of 200 former castaways before narrowing it down to the final 24 contestants.
“We did it one player at a time,” Probst said.
“I was just looking through my Season 50 notebook for the first pile of players, and it’s crazy how many people we started with – and we had a case for all of them.”
He explained that the process quickly became emotional when the list was shortened.
“We had to cut it in half, and then you just put people on the other pile and say, ‘Oh my God, this is heartbreaking,’” he added, noting, “Because I care.”
Additionally, he noted that younger viewers may not be as familiar with early-era icons like Stephenie LaGrossa-Kendrick or Colby Donaldson, compared to more recent players like Season 46’s Charlie Davis or Season 45 winner Dee Valladares.
“So that’s our job too: always give it broad strokes,” he explained.
While he’s proud of the cast, Probst admitted there’s still one thing he’d like to change.
“I’m very happy with this group, but if I could change something it would soften the blow for the people who didn’t get along,” he added.
