The full cast for the upcoming season of Network 10’s “Australian Survivor: Rivals” has been revealed.
The new format will divide the contestants into two tribes, with each player matched against a rival on the opposing side based on their strengths, physicality, strategy and personality.
Former NRL player Robbie Farah will face former Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper, while AFL players Heath Shaw and Adam Cooney will revive the Collingwood and Essendon rivalry.
The cast also includes Christian Wilkins, Mitch Churi, Bernard Curry, Lincoln Lewis and “The Block” twins Alisa and Lysandra Fraser.
Olympic beach volleyball gold medallist Kerri Pottharst and Winter Olympian Danielle Scott will represent the Summer and Winter Games, while former netballer Sharni Layton and athlete Sarah Yatim will also compete.
Shaw said he was joining the series to test himself outside his comfort zone.
“I’m coming on ‘Australian Survivor’ to put myself in an uncomfortable position again and test the boundaries, which I haven’t done for a while.”
Love Film & TV?
Get your daily dose of everything happening in music, film and TV in Australia and abroad.
Cooney, meanwhile, has his sights set on settling an old sporting score.
“It’s time to see if I’ve got any competitive juices left in me. Let’s bring back the Anzac Day rivalry between me and Heath. I never won a Grand Final, and I didn’t beat Heath on Anzac Day either. But this is where I get my revenge, on ‘Australian Survivor!’”
Actors Curry and Lewis will compete as rivals, while Churi and Wilkins form another pairing.
Alisa and Lysandra Fraser will put their sibling rivalry into the game, while the remaining contestants include lawyers, vloggers and other competitors drawn from outside television and professional sport.
The full cast is:
Adam Ashley-Cooper, 42, NSW
Adam Cooney, 40, VIC
Alisa Fraser, 42, SA
Bernard Curry, 52, QLD
Christian Wilkins, 31, NSW
Danielle Scott, 36, NSW
Ellie Gonsalves, 35, QLD
Emily Jones, 34, NSW
Eva Bantin, 51, NSW
Heath Shaw, 40, VIC
Jorden Tually, 32, NSW
Josh Robinson, 26, VIC
Kaitlyn Souksamlane-Tan, 36, NSW
Kate Allan, 36, NSW
Kerri Pottharst, 61, NSW
Lincoln Lewis, 38, QLD
Louie Liu, 37, NSW
Lysandra Fraser, 42, SA
Mitch Churi, 30, NSW
Portia Ferdinand, 27, NSW
Robbie Farah, 42, NSW
Sarah Yatim, 31, NSW
Sharni Layton, 38, WA
Yusuf Omar, 36, QLD
The season will mark the show’s first trip to Malaysia, with David Genat returning as host.
Contestants will compete for the $500,000 prize and the title of Sole Survivor, with the Rivals format adding another layer to the usual alliances, challenges and eliminations.
Endemol Shine Australia, part of Banijay Entertainment, produces Australian Survivor.
“Australian Survivor: Rivals” will air on 10 in 2027.
From Mediaweek