BAYWATCH First Look Revealed as the Iconic Franchise Heads Back to TV
Fox is officially diving back into the world of Baywatch, and while fans were hoping to catch the reboot this fall, the network has confirmed the series is now aiming for a midseason debut in late January 2027.
The update came during a media event where Fox executives shared new details about the highly anticipated revival, including a first look image that puts the spotlight on the next generation of lifeguards sprinting into action on the beach. Interestingly, there’s still no look at Arrow star Stephen Amell, who leads the series as Hobie Buchannon.
Fox Entertainment President Michael Thorn hyped up the project saying: "There's only one Baywatch. It's one of the most iconic, popular television franchises in TV history."
The original Baywatch ran for 11 seasons from 1991 to 2001 and became a worldwide phenomenon. At its peak, the series aired in more than 200 countries and reportedly pulled in over a billion viewers every week. That kind of reach is almost unheard of for television.
The question is, can this reboot recapture that lightning in the bottle? Hollywood already tried reviving the franchise once with the 2017 movie starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, but that version never really connected with audiences the way the original series did. Fox is clearly hoping television is where Baywatch belongs.
This new take centers on Hobie Buchannon, now serving as a Baywatch Captain while trying to live up to the legacy of his father, Mitch Buchannon. Things get complicated fast when his daughter, Charlie Vale, played by Jessica Belkin, unexpectedly enters his life and flips his world upside down.
The cast is aiming for a mix of traditional TV talent and internet-era star power. Alongside Amell and Belkin, the series stars Noah Beck, Shay Mitchell, Thaddeus LaGrone, Livvy Dunne, Hassie Harrison, and Brooks Nader. Fans will also get some nostalgic callbacks as original Baywatch stars Erika Eleniak and David Chokachi reprise their roles.
Fox scheduling head Dan Harrison explained why the network feels confident launching the show in midseason instead of the fall lineup:
"We have a rich history of launching series midseason. We just did it most recently with Best Medicine, Memory of a Killer and Doc before that. It goes all the way back to 24 and Empire and the 9-1-1s and The Resident. Obviously, Baywatch is a huge, huge priority for us, and we think we have a great opportunity to set the show up for success [in midseason]."
Thorn doubled down on that confidence, saying: "Baywatch is a huge, huge priority for us, and we think we have a great opportunity to set the show up for success there."
He also described the reboot as: "pure escapism with a cast that blends top television talent with major social influencers."
That part will probably split fans right down the middle, especially longtime viewers who grew up with the original series. Still, Thorn seems fully aware of the challenge ahead: "There's a lot of pressure on us to try to make it great, [but] there’s no way you don’t take that shot."
Baywatch carries a ton of nostalgia, but if the creative team can balance the classic beach-action energy with a modern approach, Fox may actually have something fun on its hands.
The series comes from Burn Notice creator Matt Nix, who serves as showrunner and executive producer. McG, Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto, and Mike Horowitz are also executive producing. The show is co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Fremantle.