It's been years since Total Drama has seen its original form; but over the years, the series has developed a community that lovingly remembers the drama and romance of its first season. This has inspired all manner of fan art, adaptations, and various fan fictions as to how the game should've gone. The level of popularity and fanfare helped carry the series over seven traditional seasons and one spin-off.
All of this success started with Total Drama Island, a competition between twenty-two cast members of varying backgrounds and skill. While this variety kept the show interesting, it also meant that some cast members were a little better and more competitive than others.
22 Ezekiel
As the first one eliminated, Ezekiel didn't get a lot of opportunities to prove his stuff. A humble, home schooled kid from the countryside, Ezekiel came to the series with minimal personality and some incredibly old world values.
After expressing these values to the female cast, Ezekiel showed why he was never going to last long in the show.
21 Katie
Not only were Katie and Sadie every bit as giddy as a stereotypical, teenage girl should be, they had the survival skills to match—absolutely none whatsoever. This wouldn't play well in the game and due to her own poor sense of direction, Katie would unfortunately be eliminated first.
20 Sadie
Sadie doesn't do much better without her cohort, Katie. While Sadie had slightly better judgement than Katie, she broke down after Katie was eliminated and had a hard time acting independently. After as mishap with Courtney and some apples, Sadie would get eliminated early.
19 Justin
As Christ McLean put it, Justin was only included in the show because of his good looks. And, to be fair, his chiseled body did help on a couple of challenges. Those good looks, however, didn't give him the personality or intelligence to keep himself from getting eliminated by Heather.
18 Noah
While Noah certainly had plenty of brains, he wouldn't actually get to show that until Total Drama World Tour. In Total Drama Island, his own laziness and hubris would get the better of him and hold back the Screaming Gophers during the dodgeball challenge.
17 Tyler
Tyler came into the series as the pseudo-athlete that would supposedly be good at physical challenges. While he did have the sports gear, he didn't portray the same strength and coordination, and he'd go on to be eliminated because of his own fear of chickens.
16 Beth
Beth is the nice, nerdy girl that came into the reality series with all the innocence in the world. That very innocence and dependence would be challenged when she joined Heather's alliance. While it was cathartic to see her challenge Heather's authority, that same independence didn't really keep her in the game.
15 Trent
Trent likely survived much longer in the game than he should've. Besides his catchy music, he didn't have many other talents. At best, he was a really likable guy that no one wanted to vote out. Once Heather took away that one trait, it didn't take long for him to be taken out of the island.
14 Eva
In a perfect world, Eva would've last significantly longer in the show. Because of her athleticism and competitive attitude, Eva was a strong woman could've shifted the tide for the Killer Bass during several challenges as well as dominate quite a few of the singles ones. Disappointingly, her poor attitude would get her eliminated early on during both of her appearances this season.
13 Geoff
Geoff was able to party his way through the series on nearly personality alone. He had the social and teamwork skills that helped every group that he was a part of. However, as a challenger within his own right, Geoff didn't really stand out from the rest of the cast and survived mostly because of his personality.
12 Bridgette
Bridgette's athleticism made her a force during several challenges, and her friendliness helped clear the mind of different competitors, friend or foe. Those niceties would unfortunately be her downfall, as she would exclusively be voted off because of how pleasant she was.
11 D.J.
If people were just drafting team members for athletic challenges, D.J. would be a consistent first pick. His large frame and athleticism came in handy for most of the game. Yet, as strong as he was, D.J. was held back by the same cowardice that debilitated him since day one.
10 Lindsay
Lindsay may have debuted as an airhead, but she was surprisingly sound during several challenges. This includes her tenacity during the extreme sports challenges and her drive during the biking challenge. Though her commitment to Heather helped keep the duo in the game, it's that same loyalty that would cost her the game.
9 Cody
Cody was never eliminated or targeted because of any personality traits or weaknesses on his own part.
During his run in Total Drama Island, Cody's intelligence and versatility helped the Screaming Gophers during a couple of challenges; and as a team member, his support helped keep a few cast members stable, particularly Gwen. If he didn't get injured, Cody would've likely lasted a little longer in the series.
8 Courtney
While some people may be tired of hearing it, Courtney was a counselor-in-training. She had the drive, intelligence, and leadership skills that made her an enemy for most and a valuable asset to her own team. If she wasn't unfairly voted off, that tenacity could've helped her win the game.
7 Izzy
Izzy's own instability meant that she was never going to last till the end of the game, but her wild card nature and versatile skill set proved on several occasions that she was a worthy competitor.
Whether or not the stories she told were true, Izzy clearly had some survival skills that put her above the rest of the cast, and her own fighting abilities made her a threat to even Chef.
6 Harold
Harold doesn't look like the toughest or most likable character, but he proved himself on several episodes. He showed incredible athleticism during the dodgeball challenge, he practically saved the Killer Bass during the talent show, and, whether or not it was fair, he cheated Courtney out of the contest and kept himself in the game.
5 Gwen
The requisite cartoon Goth girl, Gwen, may have had a bad attitude, but her competitive nature and friendly side kept her in the game until the very end. While she doesn't have any unique skills besides drawing, she really pulled through to save her team (and herself) during a variety of difficult challenges, such as Chef's military camp.
4 Owen
Despite appearances, Owen was able to fart his way to the finals. Much of this is due to his own size and strength carrying him through different survival and physical challenges and his appetite helping with the eating ones. It also didn't hurt that his friendly smile helped keep him from being eliminated.
3 Duncan
While Duncan may have not had the attitude for the game, he came in with more than enough life experience to outwit and outlast most of his cast members. As a classic hoodlum and thief, Duncan's trickery and killer focus helped the Killer Bass win a few challenges and himself survive a fair share of games. That hardened attitude even helped make him a clear leader as part of the short lived Guys Alliance.