"Survivor" Unveils Latest Castaways

"Survivor" returns to the South Pacific for its upcoming 19th installment, and the 20 castaways who will be stranded on a Samoan island have just been revealed.

Among this season's eclectic group is a New Hampshire cop with a hippy past (Besty), a young rocket scientist who claims to work well under stress (John), a former college football coach turned personal chef (Mike) and a man with an insane strategy (Russell H.).

"This group reminds me a little bit of 'Fans vs. Favorites' in terms of there's a sense of fun and [it] actually looks like they'd be fun to hang out with," said "Survivor" host Jeff Probst.

See pictures of the new "Survivor" competitors

An interesting twist was also revealed. At the start of the game, competing tribes will be asked, without speaking, to immediately pick a chief - someone to make all the decisions for the group.

Despite the picturesque landscape, the castaways will face exposure to elements and wildlife living in the mysterious rainforests that cover rugged volcanic mountain peaks. For 39 days, they will endeavor to outwit, outplay and outlast one another to win the title of Sole Survivor.

The new season premieres Thursday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Here's a look at the 20 castaways competing on "Survivor: Samoa"

David Ball, 28, is a fitness instructor from Los Angeles.

Besty Bolan, 48, is the police officer. She hails from Campton, N.H.

Mike Borassi is the oldest at age 62. He is a private chef who lives in Marina del Rey, Calif.

Ben Browning, 28, is a mixologist from Los Angeles.

Marisa Calihan, 26, is a student from Cincinnati.

Erik Cardona, 28, is an Ontario, Calif., bartender.

Brett Clouser, 28, is a T-shirt designer, who arrived in Los Angeles via Salem, Ore.

John Fincher, 25, is a rocket scientist from Los Angeles.

Yasmin Giles, 33, is a hairstylist who came to Los Angeles via Detroit.

Russell Hantz, 36, comes from Dayton, Texas, where he owns an oil company.

Elizabeth Kim, 33, is a New York City urban planner.

Laura Morett, 39, is an office manager from Salem, Ore.

Monica Padilla, 25, is from San Diego and is studying law.

Jaison Robinson, 28, is also a law student. He's from Chicago.

Kelly Sharbaugh, 25, is a hairstylist who arrived in Los Angeles via Wilmington, Del.

Russell Swan, 42 is a Glenside, Pa., attorney.

Ashley Trainer, 22, works in spa sales in Maple Grove, Minn.

Mick Trimming, 33, is a doctor who lives in Los Angeles. He's originally from Boise, Idaho.

Shannon Waters, 45, lives in Renton, Wash., and works in sales.

Natalie White, 26, hails from Van Buren, Ark., and works in pharmaceutical sales.