‘Baywatch’ 2026 Cast Brings Back the Iconic Red Look in Stunning New Group Photo
The coast of Los Angeles officially transformed into a television set this week as the production of the highly anticipated Baywatch revival commenced. On Wednesday, March 18, a star-studded ensemble including Brooks Nader and Shay Mitchell made their first public appearance in the franchise’s legendary crimson attire.
The group gathered on the sand to celebrate the beginning of filming, posing with a production clapper board to mark the occasion. This sighting confirms that the long-rumored reboot is finally moving from development into active principal photography.
Fox has committed to a twelve-episode order for the first season, which was initially greenlit back in September 2025. The new iteration promises to blend the nostalgic elements of the nineties original with a fresh narrative focused on a new generation of ocean rescuers.
Brooks Nader, Livvy Dunne, Noah Beck and more stars make their red swimsuit debuts on set of the "Baywatch" reboot on Venice Beach in California 🛟 📸: DIggzy/Jesal / BACKGRID, BACKGRID pic.twitter.com/THyboYvS3k
— Page Six (@PageSix) March 18, 2026
At the center of the story is a familiar name who has traded his rebellious youth for a position of high authority. According to Variety, the plot follows a significant legacy character as he navigates the challenges of leadership and unexpected family dynamics.
The trade publication notes: “The wild child Hobie Buchannon we all loved from the original series is now a Baywatch captain, following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Mitch.
Hobie’s world is turned upside down when Charlie, the daughter he never knew, shows up on his doorstep, eager to carry on the Buchannon family legacy and become a Baywatch lifeguard alongside her dad.”
While the focus shifts to Hobie and his daughter, the series ensures that the history of the beach is well-represented by returning veterans. One specific character from the original run will serve as a foundational pillar for the younger cast members.
The synopsis further explains: “OG heartthrob Cody Madison now runs 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.”
Leading the cast as Hobie Buchannon is Stephen Amell, who wrapped his long-running tenure as a vigilante hero in the DC television universe show Arrow. Amell has been exploring more grounded dramatic roles lately, making this transition to a captain’s role a natural progression for his career.
Brooks Nader, who was seen leading the group on set, continues her rapid ascent from the world of high-fashion modeling into mainstream acting. This project marks her most significant television role to date, following several successful commercial campaigns and appearances in fashion-centric media.
Joining them is Shay Mitchell, who fans recognize from her years on Pretty Little Liars and her more recent turn in the psychological thriller You. Mitchell has spent the last few years balancing her acting career with her successful travel brand, BÉIS, and a massive social media presence.
The cast also includes social media powerhouse Noah Beck and collegiate athlete turned media personality, Livvy Dunne. Their inclusion signals the network’s intent to capture a younger, digitally native audience that may not have experienced the original series in its first run.
Rounding out the team are Thaddeus LaGrone, Jessica Belkin, and Hassie Harrison, each bringing diverse backgrounds in television drama and comedy to the beach. Belkin is set to play Charlie, the daughter whose arrival sets the primary emotional stakes of the season in motion.
This reboot is being produced during a time when television networks are leaning heavily into established intellectual property with built-in global recognition. Baywatch remains one of the most-watched shows in history, making this a high-priority launch for Fox’s 2026-2027 broadcast schedule.
Behind the scenes, the show is being developed with an eye toward modernizing the action sequences while maintaining the lighthearted tone of the source material. The production team aims to utilize the natural beauty of the California coastline to recreate the escapist atmosphere fans remember.
With the first episodes now filming, the cast will likely remain in the Los Angeles area throughout the spring and summer months. Audiences can expect a heavy promotional push as the premiere date approaches, featuring the now-iconic slow-motion sequences and sun-drenched visuals.
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