Cue the slow-motion beach running. Baywatch is returning with a major new television reboot, and now we have confirmation that a legacy cast member is diving back into familiar waters. The news comes just days after the announcement that the show would be led by DC star Stephen Amell, aka Oliver Queen from the Arrowverse, in the role of Hobie Buchannon, Jeremy Jackson’s character from the original series, and the son of legendary lifeguard Mitch Buchannon, who was played by David Hasselhoff back in the ’90s. As reported by Variety, OG Baywatch heartthrob David Chokachi will be donning his red swimming trunks again to wade back into the franchise. He will reprise the role of Cody Madison in the Fox version – a character who was introduced in the show’s sixth season and remained on board (pun intended) until the end of the ninth season. During his tenure, he proved himself to be a skilled swimmer, but in the new series, he has transitioned from a full-time lifeguard to the owner of a bar-and-grill, per the official character description:
“The Shoreline, the unofficially official Baywatch bar-and-grill, and still puts on the red trunks for the occasional shift, saving lives. He’s a mentor to and a friend, providing a second home for his fellow lifeguards… and always offering free wings after a big save.”
Fox picked up Baywatch for the 2026-2027 broadcast season with a 12-episode order in September 2025, following a long period of development to bring the iconic lifeguard drama back to screens. Matt Nix is serving as showrunner and executive producer alongside original series creators Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, and Doug Schwartz, ensuring it stays true to the spirit of the original. The series is slated to begin filming this spring, with Charlie’s Angels filmmaker McG directing the pilot and also serving as an executive producer.
Fox Is Taking the Plunge With Its ‘Baywatch’ Reboot

Pamela Anderson as C.J. Parker in BaywatchNBC Television

Fox is taking an almighty plunge with its Baywatch reboot, as the new series marks a fresh attempt to revive the franchise following the 2017 feature film, fronted by Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, which failed to make waves and did not spawn a sequel. It grossed over $177 million at the worldwide box office against a $69 million budget, but it was not as successful as the studio surely hoped it would be, with critics (including original Baywatch star Pamela Anderson) panning the big screen take, specifically its messy plot.

The latest Baywatch reboot is aiming to blend nostalgia for the original series – which, at its peak, was the most-watched show in the world – with a modern twist that acts as a next-generation sequel as opposed to a total remake, hence the casting of Chokachi. The story centers on Hobie Buchannon, who has followed in his father’s footsteps to become a Baywatch captain, but finds his life is upended when the daughter he never knew existed, arrives on his doorstep with ambitions of becoming a lifeguard and carrying on the family legacy. Whether they can, together, carve out a new legacy for the franchise remains to be seen, but Fox will be testing the waters with its new 12-episode season when it eventually debuts on screens.

Release Date

1989 – 2001-00-00

Directors

Gregory J. Bonann, Douglas Schwartz, Gus Trikonis

Writers

Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, Gregory J. Bonann