The new Baywatch sequel series is adding more nostalgia to its lineup. Fox announced on April 15, 2026, that Erika Eleniak will return to the beach. The 56-year-old actress, who played Shauni McClain in the first two seasons of the original show, will appear as a guest star in the upcoming reboot.
Eleniak’s character has changed a lot since her lifeguard days. Shauni is now a Santa Monica city councilwoman. She comes back to the beach to help Stephen Amell’s character, Hobie Buchannon, start the yearly “Beach Games.” The event pits the Baywatch champions against the Coast Guard in a friendly competition.
Eleniak Joins David Chokachi as Returning Original Cast Member
Eleniak is the second actor from the original series to join the sequel. David Chokachi, who played Cody Madison starting in season six, will also reprise his role. Chokachi’s character now runs “The Shoreline,” the unofficial Baywatch bar and grill. He still puts on the red trunks for rescue shifts when needed.
The original Baywatch show ran from 1989 to 2001. It became one of the most watched shows globally, airing in over 200 countries. At its peak, more than one billion viewers tuned in every week. The show helped launch the careers of David Hasselhoff, Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Jason Momoa, and Yasmine Bleeth.
What the New Baywatch Sequel Is About
The sequel series follows Hobie Buchannon, the wild child from the original show. He is now a Baywatch captain, following in his father Mitch’s footsteps. Jeremy Jackson originally played Hobie in the 1990s series. Stephen Amell takes over the role for the reboot.
Hobie’s life changes when Charlie, the daughter he never knew, shows up at his door. Charlie wants to carry on the Buchannon family legacy and become a lifeguard alongside her dad. Jessica Belkin plays Charlie Vale.
The show’s official description promises “adrenaline-fueled rescues, tangled relationships, complicated chemistry, and beachside heroics that defined the original.” The new version will have a fresh cast, modern challenges, and a renewed mission to protect Southern California’s shoreline.
Full Cast List for the Baywatch Sequel
The reboot has assembled a mix of experienced actors and newer faces. Here is the main cast lineup:
- Stephen Amell as Hobie Buchannon (Baywatch captain)
- Jessica Belkin as Charlie Vale (Hobie’s daughter)
- Shay Mitchell as Trina (a former lawyer turned lifeguard)
- Hassie Harrison as Nat (former foster kid and Olympic athlete)
- Thaddeus LaGrone as Brad
- Brooks Nader as Selene (captain of Zuma Beach lifeguards)
- Noah Beck as Luke
- Livvy Dunne as Grace (making her acting debut)
- Nadia Gray as Lisa
- David Chokachi as Cody Madison (returning original cast)
- Erika Eleniak as Shauni McClain (guest star, returning original cast)
Shay Mitchell, known for Pretty Little Liars, joined the cast in March 2026. She plays Trina, who left her law career to become a full-time lifeguard.
Brooks Nader, a model and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue alum, plays Selene. Her character has a sharp tongue and often clashes with Hobie about their different approaches to saving lives.
Carmen Electra, who played Lani McKenzie in the original series, told People magazine that Nader will fit right into the Baywatch world. Electra also said Chokachi’s return is “well-deserved.”
When and Where to Watch the Baywatch Sequel
The Baywatch sequel will air on Fox during the 2026-2027 television season. The network ordered 12 episodes for the first season. Fox announced the straight-to-series order in September 2025, almost 25 years after the original show ended in May 2001.
Production will begin shooting in spring 2026. Filming will take place on Venice Beach and on the Fox Studio Lot in Century City, California. The reboot received a California state tax incentive to shoot in Los Angeles.
The creative team includes Matt Nix (Burn Notice, The Gifted) as showrunner and executive producer. McG (Charlie’s Angels, The Babysitter) will direct the series premiere. Other executive producers include original series creators Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, and Doug Schwartz.
Fox Entertainment and Fremantle co-produce the series. Fox Entertainment Global holds domestic distribution rights, while Fremantle manages international sales.
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Fox Held Open Casting Call for the Reboot
In February 2026, Fox organized an open beach casting call for the reboot. The network described it as giving “aspiring talent a rare opportunity to audition for the series’ casting directors.” Roughly 2,000 hopefuls showed up wearing the famous red swimsuits.
Fitness influencer Kira Pregiato, who has 2.5 million TikTok followers, said fans begged her to audition. People constantly compare her to Pamela Anderson.
“My DMs were genuinely out of control. People were tagging me in the casting announcement, sending me clips, like full-on campaigning for me to go. It was really sweet, honestly, but also kind of overwhelming.”
The open call shows Fox’s effort to find fresh talent for the reboot while keeping the show’s famous beach aesthetic.
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