Outlast: The Jungle cast – Meet the contestants in the tough competition series

Outlast is returning to Netflix with a thrilling twist, as 16 strangers find themselves dropped into the Panamanian jungle for a competition like no other.

With nothing but basic supplies, their wits and each other to battle through unforgiving conditions in a bid to win $1 million – but they can only win as a team.

“This season felt like throwing gasoline on the format,” said showrunner Mike Odair. “We traded the frozen isolation of Alaska for the heat and volatility of Panama, and everything changed: the survival, the strategy, and the social dynamics … This may be our most dynamic group yet.”

So, who is taking part in Outlast: The Jungle? Scroll on to find out more about the contestants.

Outlast: The Jungle cast – Meet the contestants

• Abby Chu
• Ben Orndorff
• Braxton Fish
• Brett Johnson
• Dave Cecchini
• Halle Cooley
• Leiya Pillitteri
• Maddy Jones
• Marshall Strain
• Mary Wedell
• Morgan Colburn
• Nikki Hru
• Pharaoh Gayles
• Sarah Award
• Sean Jacobs
• West Saunders

Scroll down to learn more about them.

Abby Chu

Age: 32

Job: Dive master

Abby is an avid rock climber and martial artist and is also a diver who has swam with different shark species around the world.

She is hoping to rally the ladies of the competition into an unbeatable faction.

Ben Orndorff

Age: 41

Job: Former federal agent

World traveller Ben inherited his love of the outdoors from his parents. He plans to hide his intelligence background and use his expertise in reading people and manipulating information to his advantage.

Braxton Fish

Age: 24

Job: Adventure vlogger

Since leaving his corporate job, Braxton has been solo skydiving, backpacked 26 miles across the Grand Canyon and lived off grid for weeks at a time.

He says he doesn’t need allies in the game.

Brett Johnson

Age: 21

Job: Commercial fisherman

Having grown up in the swamps of Louisiana, Brett is a natural fisherman and hunter. He is confident that his deep connection to the land and adaptability will give him an edge in any challenge.

Dave Cecchini

Age: 32

Job: Expedition leader

Dave is ready to throw anyone under the bus to get to victory and feels confident in his ability to fake friendships.

Halle Cooley

Age: 20

Job: Model

Halle grew up riding horses, mending fences and spearfishing on her family’s Texas ranch. She is also a marathon runner and an expert in jiujitsu, who plans to physically dominate the competition.

Leiya Pillitteri

Age: 26

Job: Permanent make-up artist

Leiya isn’t just an advance swimmer and hand fisher, she also excels in building shelters and tools out of bamboo.

She plans to play the long game by letting others underestimate her impressive skills.

Maddy Jones

Age: 28

Job: Photographer

Maddy grew up hunting with her father, and could shoot, field and dress a deer by the age of eight.

Marshall Strain

Age: 31

Job: General contractor

After years of working in construction, Marshall has honed his ability to make the most out of minimal resources.

Mary Wedell

Age: 27

Job: Farmhand

Mary spends her days working on a farm, surfing and crafting from the bounty of nature.

With impeccable foraging and sewing skills, she is just as capable of identifying poisonous plans as she is weaving a fishing net for a daily catch.

Morgan Colburn

Age: 26

Job: Sales manager

Morgan is counting on her background in psychology to help her charm, disarm and manipulate as necessary.

Nikki Hru

Age: 28

Job: Boxer

Nikki is an expert trapper with uncontested knife skills and an eye for fire making, and is ready to bring her never-tap-out attitude to the jungle.

Pharaoh Gayles

Age: 34

Job: Wildlife educator

Pharaoh’s love of wildlife and nature stems from his father, a member of the Seminole people. He spent years with the tribe’s elders learning how to read the environment and track prey, both on land and underwater.

Sarah Award

Age: 25

Job: Former rugby player

Sarah plans to rally the weaker players into a strong alliance that can pick off the “alphas”.

Sean Jacobs

Age: 38

Job: African aid worker

Sean spent numerous years working in refugee camps, wildlife rehab centres and remote villages as an aid worker and animal rescuer.

He plans to bulldoze the competition, even if that means stealing food and sabotaging shelters.

Wes Saunders

Age: 36

Job: Former NFL player

Ex-Pittsburgh Steeler Wes grew up fishing with his grandfather, and in the competition he plans to bring strength, determination and leadership skills that only a pro football player could bring to the table.

Outlast: The Jungle is available to watch on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media.

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