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Now that Survivor 40: Winners at War has come to a close, everyone is looking ahead to Survivor Season 41. So many things are up in the air with the next installment of the long-running show due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, host Jeff Probst gave some insight on the upcoming season in the season 40 finale. 

'Survivor' host Jeff Probst
Jeff Probst at Tribal Council on ‘Survivor’ | CBS Entertainment

‘Survivor’ Season 41 production is delayed

Survivor Season 41 was going to begin filming on March 24, 2020, in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji. However, On March 11, 2020, host and show producer Jeff Probst sent a letter to the crew to postpone filming due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

“Due to the growing short-term uncertainty surrounding the global spread of COVID-19 and the corresponding desire for the continued well-being of our amazing crew, we have decided to push back our start date for Survivor season 41,” Probst wrote in the letter, via Entertainment Weekly.

Many fans wondered why they could not merely quarantine the 20 contestants and the surrounding production crew. However, every year the team grows in number.

“Our crew numbers are over 400 and are flying in from over 20 different countries, creating a need for more time to fully analyze and create our new production safety plan,” Probst continued in the letter. 

‘Survivor’ Season 41 might film in the United States

Probst gave a few clues surrounding Survivor Season 41 in the finale of Survivor: Winners at War.

“Let’s talk about our 41st season because normally we show you a cool promo,” Probst said during the conclusion of the finale. “For obvious reasons, we haven’t been able to shoot, but man, we have some fun ideas. We are always trying to explore and evolve the show and take chances. We’re going to do that. We are committed to being on in the fall with our 41st season, which means you should apply, especially if you are young — I’m talking teenagers — 16, 17, 18, 19. Do it.”

The past eight seasons of Survivor were filmed in Fiji; however, that doesn’t seem possible this summer. Some fans believe that the producers are dropping the age down to 16 because the show will be filmed in the United States. 

“The season might be filmed in the US,” one YouTube user wrote. “So, they dropped the age, since they will stay in the US. You have to be 18 to leave the US alone. That is the bright side, no more Fiji ! New Location!”

When will ‘Survivor’ Season 41 premiere?

The expected premiere date for Survivor Season 41 is Sept. 23, 2020. Probst told fans that the show is “committed to being on in the fall,” so the late September date is the best guess. Past seasons of the show premiered the last or second to last Wednesday in September. 

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“Our intention is to begin production after the S40 live show,” Probst wrote in the letter on March 11, 2020. “Therefore, subject to new information, our new planned start date for production would be on or about May 19th, 2020. Our intention is to still shoot both seasons 41 and 42.”

Since Probst wrote that letter to the crew, stay-at-home orders have continued all over the United States. Moving the location from Fiji to the US might be the answer the producers are looking for to begin production again this summer. If Survivor 41 can film starting in July, viewers will see that late September premiere date. 

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