Jeff Probst already announced on Entertainment Weekly Radio that the next season of Survivor — subtitled Blood vs. Water — would feature returning Survivor contestants playing with (or, rather, against) their loved ones. Then, yesterday we revealed that one of those pairs would be Survivor: One World’s Kat Edorsson and her boyfriend, Big Brother season 12 winner Hayden Moss. Now the rest of the cast can be officially unveiled. And that cast will be playing in the most twist-heavy Survivor season ever.
Among the cast of Survivor: Blood vs. Water —which filmed this past May and June in the Philippines — will be a contestant from the group that started it all, as season 1 player Gervase Peterson returns to compete along with his niece Marissa. He will be joined by three million dollar winners — Tina Wesson from The Australian Outback (who will be playing with daughter Katie), Aras Baskauskas from Panama (with brother Vytas), and Rupert Boneham, who has never won in his three previous outings but did collect a million dollars as the winner of a special fan voted prize given away during the All-Stars season. He will be joined by his wife Laura.
In a surprise, the new cast also features three players from One World — which is generally considered one of the weakest Survivor seasons ever. Joining Kat will be Monica Culpepper (and husband Brad) and the controversial Colton Cumbie (and fiancé Caleb). Rounding out the cast are threepeaters Tyson Apostol (with girlfriend Rachel) and the former Candice Woodcock (now Candice Cody, with husband John), as well as Laura Morett from Samoa (with daughter Ciera).
Survivor host Jeff Probst gives credit for the loved ones concept to Survivor casting director Lynne Spillman. “It’s something she brought up for years,” Probst told EW.com. “But this year she pitched it and she said, ‘I think I can pull it off. I think I’ve found the right amount of couples.’ And once we started talking about it and talking about who would play, it went from something we thought about doing next year to something we were going to do this season. It was one of those moments were I left and went ‘Oh, everything’s different.’” As if having returning players playing against their loved ones was not a big enough twist, there are several other smaller changes, some of which could dramatically alter the way the game is played. Here they are:
* For the first time ever, the game will not be 39 days long, but rather 39-and-a-half days, as the couples will begin the game the night prior to day one with a new twist titled “Day Zero.” The 10 pairs will be sent out at sunset to 10 different locations to live by themselves for the night. They will then all meet up to be officially welcomed by host Jeff Probst and start the game the next morning. “The whole idea was to try and get them thinking and maybe believing that they would play as a pair,” says Probst.
* Just minutes after congregating, the returning players and their loved ones will be split into two different tribes, with the returning players making up the yellow Galang tribe and the newbies comprising the red Tadhana tribe. “Suddenly your partner becomes your adversary, your competition,” says Probst. “And that was the whole premise of Blood Vs. Water. How is that going to play out in a game where only one person can win?”
* First impressions can be key in the game like Survivor, and that will prove true here as just moments after meeting each other, each team will vote one member off their tribe. They will later be informed that these people have not been voted out of the game, but rather will be sent to Redemption Island, which makes its return after having been absent for the past three seasons. There they will battle to stay alive and reenter the game at a later point.
* Confused yet? Well, it gets even more confusing! Jeff Probst will then immediately offer each of the loved ones of the two people voted off the opportunity to trade places with them, meaning that if, say, returning player Tina is voted out of her tribe at the start, her daughter Katie can opt to take her place at Redemption Island instead, and Tina would then join the tribe of newbies.
* As mentioned, Redemption Island is back. Anyone voted out will be sent there and will then compete in a three person duel. The last place finisher in each contest is out of the game for good, while the top two remain. However, if someone’s loved one is still in the game they can take their loved one’s place before a duel. (So if, say, Monica is at Redemption Island but her husband Brad thinks he would do better at a duel involving strength, he can swap places with her, electing to do the duel while she takes his place on his tribe. They could then swap again at the next duel if it is a contest better suited to her strengths.) “That puts blood and water to the test,” says Probst. “And we’re gonna do it at every duel. So the first time early in the game, somebody may say ‘It’s just too early.” But as those duels increase and they get closer to what they think might be a merge, their strategy is going to start to change.”
* That’s not all when it comes to Redemption Island. The person who finishes first in each duel will also get to give a clue to the location of a hidden immunity idol to any person from either tribe that they choose. “There’s all these things you can do,” says Probst. “Because for a moment, even though you’re on the outest, furthest part of the game, you have a little bit of power.”
Video interviews with all 10 couples from Survivor: Blood vs. Water can be found in the video player below along with a full cast list. Also, make sure to check out our photo gallery of the new cast, complete with quotes and observations on each. And for more Survivor news and views all season long, follow Dalton on Twitter @DaltonRoss.
The new cast of Survivor: Blood vs. Water:
TYSON APOSTOL & RACHEL FOULGER (DATING)
Tyson Apostol
Previous Seasons: Survivor: Tocantins – 2nd jury member; Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains – 6th voted out
Age: 34
Rachel Foulger
Occupation: Cocktail Waitress/Graphic Designer
Age: 33
ARAS BASKAUSKAS & VYTAS BASKAUSKAS (BROTHERS)
Aras Baskauskas
Previous Season: Survivor: Panama – Exile Island, winner
Age: 31
Vytas Baskauskas
Occupation: Yoga Instructor/Math Professor
Age: 33
RUPERT BONEHAM & LAURA BONEHAM (MARRIED)
Rupert Boneham
Previous Seasons: Survivor: Pearl Islands – 2nd jury member; Survivor: All Stars – 6th jury member, won $1 million for fan favorite; Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains – 7th jury member
Age: 49
Laura Boneham
Occupation: Merchandiser
Age: 44
CANDICE CODY & JOHN CODY (MARRIED)
Candice Cody (formerly Woodcock)
Previous Seasons: Survivor: Cook Islands – 5th jury member; Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains – 5th jury member
Age: 30
John Cody
Occupation: Physician, Army Orthopedic Surgery Resident
Age: 30
MONICA CULPEPPER & BRAD CULPEPPER (MARRIED)
Monica Culpepper
Previous Season: Survivor: One World – non-jury, 5th out
Age: 42
Brad Culpepper
Occupation: Attorney and retired NFL player. Played for the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears.
Age: 44
COLTON CUMBIE & CALEB BANKSTON (ENGAGED)
Colton Cumbie
Previous Season: Survivor: One World – medically evacuated on day 16 due to illness – 6th out
Age: 22
Caleb Bankston
Occupation: Post Office Manager/Farmer
Age: 26
KAT EDORSSON & HAYDEN MOSS (DATING)
Kat Edorsson
Previous Season: Survivor: One World – 6th jury member
Age: 23
Hayden Moss
Occupation: Real Estate
Age: 26
LAURA MORETT & CIERA EASTIN (MOTHER AND DAUGHTER)
Laura Morett
Previous Season: Survivor: Samoa – 3rd jury member
Age: 43
Ciera Eastin
Occupation: Cosmetology Student
Age: 24
GERVASE PETERSON & MARISSA PETERSON (UNCLE AND NIECE)
Gervase Peterson
Previous Season: Survivor: Borneo – 3rd jury member
Age: 43
Marissa Peterson
Occupation: Student
Age: 21
TINA WESSON & KATIE COLLINS (MOTHER AND DAUGHTER)
Tina Wesson
Previous Seasons: Survivor: The Australian Outback – winner; Survivor: All Stars – non-jury, 1st out
Age: 52
Katie Collins
Occupation: Hedge fund support
Age: 25
EDITION: INTERNATIONAL U.S. MÉXICO ARABIC TV: CNNi CNN en Español Set edition preference Sign up Log in Home Video World U.S. Africa Asia Europe Latin America Middle East Business World Sport Entertainment Tech Travel iReport TweetPrintEmailMore sharingRedditStumbleUponDelicious/* push in config for this share instance */cnn_shareconfig.push({"id" : "cnn_sharebar1","url" : "http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/13/showbiz/comics-plot-twists/index.html","title" : "Deaths, hookups, reboots: Why comics thrive on dramatic twists"});Deaths, hookups, reboots: Why comics thrive on dramatic twistsBy Henry Hanks, CNNMarch 13, 2013 -- Updated 2128 GMT (0528 HKT)if (typeof cnnArticleGallery=="undefined"){var cnnArticleGallery={};if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=[];}}var expGalleryPT00=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGalleryPT00.setImageCount(17);expGalleryPT00.setAdsRefreshCount(3);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Big comic book moments: Robin dies", 1);.cnn_html_slideshow_metadata > .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:'>>';font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:#004276;outline:medium none}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
" Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne's son, has been Robin since 2006. However, it's not the first time a Robin has died in the "Batman" comics; that also happened in 1988 with Jason Todd (who has since been resurrected). Indeed, the late 1980s and early 1990s had their share of major plot twists, but there seem to be a lot more of them lately. Robin's death is just the latest in a number of headline-grabbing developments in superhero comic books of recent years. (DC Entertainment is owned by Time Warner, which owns CNN.)" border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto001" style="margin:0 auto;" width="640"/>DC Entertainment recently announced that it was killing the character of Robin in the latest issue of "Batman, Incorporated." Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne's son, has been Robin since 2006. However, it's not the first time a Robin has died in the "Batman" comics; that also happened in 1988 with Jason Todd (who has since been resurrected). Indeed, the late 1980s and early 1990s had their share of major plot twists, but there seem to be a lot more of them lately. Robin's death is just the latest in a number of headline-grabbing developments in superhero comic books of recent years. (DC Entertainment is owned by Time Warner, which owns CNN.)cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":true,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":1,"title":"Big comic book moments: Robin dies"}
a lot of attention just the same)." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto002" style="margin:0 auto;display:none" width="640"/>Batwoman's homosexuality was revealed in 2006. With same-sex marriage in the news, the most recent issue of "Batwoman" saw the superhero get engaged (with little fanfare from DC Comics surrounding the event, though it received a lot of attention just the same).cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Batwoman is getting married"}
young Miles Morales.) The writer of the now-canceled "Amazing Spider-Man" and the new "Superior Spider-Man," Dan Slott, even received death threats on social media." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto003" style="margin:0 auto;display:none" width="270"/>The death of Peter Parker at the hands of his archenemy, Dr. Octopus -- who then assumed the role of Spider-Man -- sent shockwaves throughout comic book fandom in late 2012. (It followed the death of the Marvel Comics "Ultimate" universe's Peter, who was replaced by young Miles Morales.) The writer of the now-canceled "Amazing Spider-Man" and the new "Superior Spider-Man," Dan Slott, even received death threats on social media.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"\'Superior Spider-Man\'"}
Marvel Comics canceled a number of their long-running books and renumbered them to #1 in 2012 in order to make the stories easier to follow for new readers. Less of a "reboot" than a "relaunch."cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"\'Marvel Now\'"}
left the paper to become an independent blogger, in something of a reflection of what has been happening in the newspaper industry." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto005" style="margin:0 auto;display:none" width="640"/>For nearly 75 years, Clark Kent and "The Daily Planet" were synonymous. But in 2012, Superman's alter ego left the paper to become an independent blogger, in something of a reflection of what has been happening in the newspaper industry.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"Clark Kent quits his job"}
Professor Xavier died in issue 11 of the much-hyped "Avengers vs. X-Men" miniseries in 2012, an event that sent ripples throughout the X-universe.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Professor Xavier dies"}
Northstar popped the question in "Astonishing X-Men" #50, and he got married the following month.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":7,"title":"Same sex wedding an \'X-Men\' first"}
It's been a topic of fan conversation for decades, but it finally happened in 2012: Superman hooked up with Wonder Woman. The current version of Superman has yet to date Lois Lane. He's trying to make it work with the Amazon princess.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":8,"title":"Superman and Wonder Woman, together"}
On television and in comics, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" has pushed boundaries. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Nine" dealt with abortion, a rarely discussed topic in comics. Two 2012 issues featured a story in which the slayer decided to terminate a pregnancy.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":9,"title":"Buffy\'s choice"}
no support whatsoever from the original's writer, Alan Moore." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0010" style="margin:0 auto;display:none" width="640"/>For years, it was unthinkable: a prequel to "Watchmen"? Comics' most acclaimed miniseries got just that in 2012 and 2013, with no support whatsoever from the original's writer, Alan Moore.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":10,"title":"\'Before Watchmen\'"}
reintroduced as a gay man in 2012, though it was in a separate continuity." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0011" style="margin:0 auto;display:none" width="640"/>In "Earth Two" #2, Alan Scott, the first Green Lantern, was reintroduced as a gay man in 2012, though it was in a separate continuity.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":11,"title":"The original Green Lantern is gay"}
In 2011, DC Comics went forward with one of the most risky moves in comic book history. Every book was renumbered to #1, and many of the iconic characters were completely rebooted, with new costumes, revamped origins and more. "Justice League" #1 launched the "New 52," and it was the year's top-selling comic.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":12,"title":"DC\'s \'New 52\'"}
sacrificed his life. The "FF" or Future Foundation began, and Spider-Man briefly joined the team before Johnny Storm was brought back to life after a year." border="0" height="360" id="articleGalleryPhoto0013" style="margin:0 auto;display:none" width="640"/>In a much-hyped issue of "Fantastic Four," the Human Torch sacrificed his life. The "FF" or Future Foundation began, and Spider-Man briefly joined the team before Johnny Storm was brought back to life after a year.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":13,"title":"\'Fantastic Four\' lose a member"}
In 2011, Superman decided he would no longer be a citizen of the United States after his attempts to settle conflicts in the Middle East got him in hot water with the government. It was a big deal for the onetime protector of "truth, justice and the American way."cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":14,"title":"Superman renounces his citizenship"}
Wonder Woman got a makeover in 2010, but the reaction wasn't terribly positive. With the "New 52" reboot came yet another costume change.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":15,"title":"Wonder Woman\'s new costume"}
As part of writer Grant Morrison's years-long examination of the Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne went missing for a time in 2008 and was presumed dead. His first Robin, Dick Grayson, took on the role until Bruce returned after something of a vision quest through time.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":16,"title":"Where is Batman?"}
The death of Captain America by an assassin's bullet in 2007 (and his inevitable return in 2008) were seen as a reflection of the times and the United States' place in the world.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":17,"title":"Captain America dies"}HIDE CAPTIONBig comic book moments: Robin diesBatwoman is getting married'Superior Spider-Man''Marvel Now'Clark Kent quits his jobProfessor Xavier diesSame sex wedding an 'X-Men' firstSuperman and Wonder Woman, togetherBuffy's choice'Before Watchmen'The original Green Lantern is gayDC's 'New 52''Fantastic Four' lose a memberSuperman renounces his citizenshipWonder Woman's new costumeWhere is Batman?Captain America dies<<<
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17>>>Event.observe(window,'load',function(){if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"Deaths, hookups, reboots: Why comics thrive on dramatic twists");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSFrom the deaths of Robin and Peter Parker to major reboots, comics see a lot of changeComics creators say that the most important element is a well-told storyThree comic book experts share their views of this phenomenon
.cnn_strycrcntrnwsp .cnn_mtpmore { padding:10px 0px 1px 0px; }.cnn_stryccnwsp2 .cnn_stryccnwsp3 { width:100% }Most PopularToday's five most popular storiesFederer, Nadal to renew rivalry at Indian WellsBlasts, suicide bombers strike busy central Baghdad5 things to know about the new popeThe new pope's first day: Mass with the cardinalsPassengers: Power outages, overflowing toilets on another Carnival cruise ship
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