Network 10 Confirms Australian Survivor Will Return In 2021

The popular series is coming back after delays!

Photo: Network 10

Australian Survivor was one of many TV productions affected by the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year when filming of the sixth season was delayed indefinitely. However, the popular reality-show plans to return to our screens next year.

It was confirmed at the recent Network 10 Upfronts that Australian Survivor would be back for a sixth season in 2021 with “brand new tribe-mates, brutal new challenges, and even bigger twists.” Jonathan LaPaglia also returns as host.

“We saw the best of the best compete in this year’s All Stars season,” said LaPaglia. “In 2021, it’s time for some new blood to step into the ring and take the series’ mantra – Outwit, Outplay and Outlast – to a new level. It’s going to be one hell of a ride.”

Details on when and where the new season will film remain unclear. The show usually shoots in Fiji, the same as its US counterpart, but as we know, international travel is extremely risky at the moment.

The sixth season was originally scheduled to film back in April but was postponed due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19. “Following the Australian Government’s latest advice on overseas travel, plus discussions with the Fijian Government, production of the new season of Australian Survivor has been postponed,” a Network 10 spokesperson said at the time (via TVTonight).

Australia’s COVID-19 safety protocols remain some of the strictest in the world, with certain areas of the country under severe lockdowns. This certainly puts into question the ability to film in Fiji, despite its close proximity to Australia.

Could we perhaps see Australian Survivor film its next season domestically? That’s the current plan for The Amazing Race Australia, which will shoot its next season on home soil.

“I was over the moon when I found out The Amazing Race Australia would be filmed in our own backyard,” said TAR Australia’s host Beau Ryan. “We have the most stunning beaches, coastlines and natural landscapes on the planet.”

If Australian Survivor does decide to film at home, it wouldn’t be the first time. The original incarnation of Australian Survivor—which aired on the Nine Network back in 2002—filmed its first season at Whaler’s Way in South Australia. And, of course, US Survivor famously filmed its second season in the Australian outback.

Update 10/15/20: In a follow-up interview with Mediaweek, 10’s chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said that the network has two locations ready for the next season of Australian Survivor, with at least one of those being in Australia.

“We just haven’t made the final decision yet. We may shoot in Australia,” said McGarvey. “We are shooting I’m A Celebrity and The Amazing Race in Australia, but there is no final decision yet on Survivor.”

McGarvey also confirmed that there will only be one season of Australian Survivor filmed in 2021. “To be frank, giving all the complexities with production at the moment, one each of those shows is enough.”

Stay tuned to Inside Survivor for more info.


Written by

Martin Holmes

Martin is a freelance writer from England. He’s represented by Berlin Associates for comedy writing and writes about TV and entertainment, currently for TV Insider and Vulture, previously Digital Spy, ET Canada, and Yahoo. A finalist for the Shortlist Sitcom Search in 2012 for “Siblings,” Martin received his BA in English with Creative Writing from The University of Hull. Martin is the owner and editor-in-chief of Insider Survivor.


9 responses to “Network 10 Confirms Australian Survivor Will Return In 2021”

  1. Why don’t we have an Australian outback survivor? Wouldn’t it be fitting for our sunburnt country, for the survivors to prove that they can outwit, outlast and outplay in and on our home land?
    I want to apply. I will, Outwit, Outlast and Outplay everyone and anyone who applies.

  2. I have been waiting twenty years to be on Australian Survivor. Being the last 5% on being selected is not good enough. I need to be there and hopefully win.

  3. I too want to reapply as I will outwit and outlast you all. Age is not barrier, it is a benifit. Here i come xx

    • that is a very good question, I want to know too. Come guys, give us an answer. They filmed amazing race in September last year, Survivor should be more feasable since it’s one isolated location.

  4. i only just started watching survivor but it would be so funny to apply just for fun and win out of sheer dumb luck

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