Australian Survivor is set to return to screens on January 30th.
Filmed in Samoa, the Heroes vs. Villains 2023 season promises plenty of excitement for fans.
Mixing veteran castaways with newcomers, the cast includes an Olympian, a beauty queen, a TV star – all looking to outsmart and outdo each other.
Australian Survivor will return to screens on January 30th with Heroes (top) v Vilains
THE OCCUPATION
THE HEROES
Ben Law, 41, author and LGBTQIA+ advocate, NSW
The famous author of the Family Law book series is a self-confessed Survivor fan. The broadcaster says they are willing to play dirty if the game calls for it.
David Zaharakis, 32, ex-AFL star, Victoria
The handsome former hero of Essendon says there’s no line he’s not willing to cross when it comes to playing Survivor.
Felicity ‘Flick’ Palmateer, 29, big wave surfer, Gold Coast
New mom-of-one Flick, a Survivor veteran, says she’s stronger than ever and it’s “time for a hero to win the game.”
Flick was one of the standout contestants on the first season of Australian Survivor in 2016.
She became a fan favorite for her bravery on Australian Survivor: Brain vs Brawn when her mother died during filming.
Ex-home and away star Sharni Vinson
Ex-AFL star David Zaharakis
Gold Coast big wave surfer Felicity ‘Flick’ Palmateer
Gerry Geitch, 62, tourist pilot, Queensland
An experienced pilot, Gerry, works on Fraser Island. He believes his time in the cockpit prepared him for the rigors of Survivor, having endured multiple plane crashes.
A free climber, free diver, spear fisherman and Latin dancer, Gerry sounds like the perfectly experienced castaway.
Hayley Leake, 32, Academic, South Australia
A pain researcher with a PhD, Hayley was crowned the winner of Australian Survivor: Brains Vs. Muscle power in the outback.
Despite being a hero, fans can look forward to seeing her become a bit of a villain this season, she says.
Matt Sharp, 25, lifeguard, Gold Coast
Matt’s buddies describe the Gold Coast lifeguard as loyal and trustworthy. Matt says he went into the adventure series to “pack home” the villains.
Gerry Geitch, tourist pilot, from Queensland
Hayley Leake, Academic, from South Australia and Australian Survivor winner
Nina Twine, 24, Accountant, Florida, USA
Nina is back castaway this season after being brutally eliminated from Australian Survivor: Blood vs. Water in 2022 when she competed with her mother and former two-time US Survivor winner Sandra Diaz-Twine.
She says if the season was made for anyone, it’s for her, as she’s a hero “raised by a villain.”
Paige Donald, 26, Jillaroo, Central Queensland
A plain-spoken, down-to-earth country woman, newly castaway Paige has worked as a wrestler and jillaroo in the bush since she was 18.
She says if you think you’re a hero you’re an idiot and if you don’t think you’re a hero you probably are.
Villain Rubin, 32, Animal Activist, Victoria
Filmmaker Rogue worked undercover in Africa for six years to covertly uncover poachers’ activities.
When it comes to Survivor, she says she can’t understand why anyone would want to be a villain.
New castaway, Gold Coast lifeguard, Matt Sharp
Nina Twine, Accountant, Florida, USA
Paige Donald, Jillaroo, Central Queensland
Sam Webb, 34, CEO of Charities, NSW
Sam returns castaway after his first appearance in the adventure series six years ago.
A self-confessed “fighter,” Sam says everyone loves an underdog – but sometimes you have to bend the rules to win.
Sharni Vinson, 39, actress, NSW
Known as the “Scream Queen” for her roles in Hollywood horror films, fans can look forward to seeing a muscular and lean looking Sharni this season.
The former Home and Away star says her shipwrecked days will show viewers Sharni “the person”.
Shaun Hampson, 34, ex-AFL champion, Victoria
The former Richmond Tigers star survived 32 days shipwrecked in his last appearance in Australian Survivor: Champions vs. Contenders.
This time Shaun – who is married to supermodel Megan Gale – says he’s happy to be a hero – but he won’t be acting like one.
Villain Rubin, Animal Activist, Victoria
THE VILLAINS
Anjali Rao, 48, Newsreader, Victoria
Veteran reporter and Real Housewives of Melbourne ‘villain’ Anjali is a recently castaway and says she’s scared of putting on bodies on the line.
She says she wasn’t born a villain but can’t imagine anything more boring than being a hero.
Fraser Lack, 30, real estate agent, Victoria
New islander Fraser works in upscale residential properties in Melbourne and enjoys running marathons in his spare time.
He says he’ll play the game without “everything it takes to win.”
George Miladenov, 32, political activist, NSW
A runner-up in Australian Survivor: Brains vs. Brawn, George was known for frustrating fans with his habit of abandoning challenges.
But this time, the political agent from Sydney’s Bankstown says he’s returning to the jungle as a “pure villain.”
Sarah Marschke, former Miss World Australia, NSW
Real Housewives of Melbourne star Anjali Rao and news anchor Victoria
Jackie Glazier, 49, WS Poker Champion, Victoria
After being ousted from Australian Survivor: Champions vs. Contenders, Jackie returns as a villain this season.
The competitive poker champion says she will use her mental skills to win the game.
Jordie Hansen, 26, landscaper, Victoria
Jordie became a fan favorite during “Australian Survivor: Blood vs. Water” and is known for his big smile, which he nicknamed “The Joker” when he left the series.
This time he’s ready to play the villain because they’re always more fun than heroes.
Liz Parnov, 28, Olympic pole vault champion, WA
New castaway Liz is used to tough competition after representing Australia in the pole vault at the Barcelona Olympics.
Liz, who now works in marketing, describes her personality as “larger than life,” and says Survivor is the ultimate test of any competitor.
Fraser Lack, Estate Agents, Victoria
George Miladenov, political agent and Survivor veteran
Michael Warren, 44, Journalist, NSW
Journalist Michael says media professionals are often viewed as villains.
He says villains are meant to get their hands dirty and “lie, cheat, and steal” to win the game.
Mimi Tang, 30, Luxury Car Brand Owner, Victoria
PR veteran Mimi has been fighting as an amateur boxer since she was 19.
As a villain, she thinks there are no limits to winning the challenges and no expectations.
Sarah Marschke, 23, former Miss World Australia, NSW
Former beauty queen Sarah is also a semi-professional rugby league player who has competed in state competitions for Queensland.
“I seem like that giddy blonde,” she says in a trailer for the series, “but a beauty queen is always something to fear.”
Liz Parnov, Olympic pole vault champion, WA
Mimi Tang, luxury car owner and Survivor veteran from Victoria
Shonee Bowtell, 30, HR Assistant, Queensland
Known for being the only shipwrecked person to ever play the game three times, Shonee has survived a total of 89 days across her previous two seasons.
She describes the tribe of heroes as “Slumberfest” and the villains as “her people”.
Simon Mee, 33, carpenter, Queensland
Simon returns to the jungle after being booted from Australian Survivor: Brains vs. Brawn and says villains “thrive on chaos”.
After last playing the game as a hero, Simon says he’s ready to “reach his full potential” this season.
Stevie Khouw, 62, Independent Politician, NSW
Stevie, once a delivery driver turned independent politician who also volunteers as a firefighter, has completed a Masters in Environmental Law since appearing in Australian Survivor: Champions v Contenders.
Stevie says fans can look forward to him playing the game as “master villain”.
Shonee Bowtell, HR Assistant and two-time player, from Queensland