Just hours after the first official trailer for “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans” confirmed that celebrities like MrBeast, Zac Brown, Billie Eilish, Jimmy Fallon and more would play a part in the upcoming milestone season, longtime host Jeff Probst continued his quest to make the hit reality competition series as star-studded as possible by personally inviting an A-list actress to join the cast of a future “Survivor” season.
In a December 19 Instagram video, posted in partnership with 20th Century Fox Studios and CBS, Probst can be seeing video calling A-list actress Rachel McAdams – known for her roles in films like “Mean Girls” and “The Notebook” – on the set of her most recent project, “Send Help.”
Jeff Probst Responds to Rachel McAdams’ ‘Survivor’ Audition Tape
“Rachel McAdams,” Probst announced as the actress answered the phone to an unknown caller. “We got your audition tape for ‘Survivor’ and I gotta say, it is one of the best I’ve ever seen.”
For fans concerned that “Survivor” is becoming too influenced by celebrities – lest we forget the utter failure of “Cagayan”s Tyler Perry Immunity Idol – don’t worry; Probst’s offer was made in jest following the release of McAdams’ parody audition tape.
The hilarious audition, filmed as promotional material for Sam Raimi’s upcoming dark comedy “Send Help,” features McAdams as her character from the film, Linda Liddle, a woman who, alongside her overbearing boss – portrayed by Dylan O’Brien – becomes stranded on a deserted island as the only survivors of a devastating plane crash.
While the film, set to hit theaters on January 30, 2026, undeniably shares similarities with “Survivor”s unique brand of ship-wrecked castaways, McAdams’ character doesn’t actually audition for the show in the film, though she is a “huge fan” according to the actress.
Regardless, McAdams’ clever, funny and at times a bit gross audition seemingly proved to Jeff Probst that she has what it takes to outwit, outlast and outplay on any island, be it for CBS’s “Survivor” or Raimi’s “Send Help.”
Though McAdams tries to explain to the Emmy-winning host that the audition tape was merely promotional and that she was only playing a character, Probst takes this as an admission of the actress’ willingness to deceive her fellow castaways on “Survivor.”
“Deception,” he drawls. “Already strategizing. You’re gonna fit right in.”
Probst Offers McAdams a Spot on the Next Season of ‘Survivor’
Probst then offers McAdams the chance to compete on an upcoming season of the series, telling her they’ve already got a spot clear for her on a future cast.
“Congratulations!” he says. “We have a spot! You’re being invited to come play in our next season!”
The next as-yet-unfilmed season of “Survivor” – Season 51 – is still in the casting process according to casting director Jesse Tannenbaum. While Probst’s offer to allow McAdams to play isn’t extended in any serious or official capacity, she isn’t the first celebrity to be offered a shot at the title of “Sole Survivor” on the upcoming installment.
Most recently, Probst challenged “Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough to join “Survivor” – with the exception that series legend “Boston Rob” Mariano would compete on “DWTS” in return.
While Hough seems to be considering the bargain, McAdams initially shut down Probst’s offer, telling the host, “No, that audition tape, that was just for the movie, that wasn’t me. I can’t be on ‘Survivor,’” she laughs, “I’m an actor.”
“Actors, firefighters, guys from Boston. We welcome everybody,” Probst replied in jest, poking fun at some of the show’s most memorable players like actor Mike White, firefighter Jeremy Collins, and “guy from Boston” Rob Mariano.
McAdams then asked Probst how he got ahold of Linda’s “Survivor” audition, to which her “Send Help” co-star Dylan O’Brien replies: “That was me.”
The video – promoting both “Survivor” and “Send Help” – ends on McAdams reprimanding O’Brien, telling the “Maze Runner” actor, “You’re coming with me” to play “Survivor.”
Check out the official trailer for Sam Raimi’s “Send Help” below, and be sure to catch the film, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, when it hits theaters on Friday, January 30, 2026.
