Over 1,000 Hopefuls Hit the Beach in Red Swimsuits for “Baywatch” Reboot Auditions
Thousands of hopeful actors lined up at a Marina del Rey beach on Wednesday, braving the recent stormy weather, to audition for the new “Baywatch” TV series. The open casting call drew actors of all ages hoping for a shot at stardom, as the production searches for fresh local talent, according to Brittainy Roberts, Fox’s vice president of casting.
The original “Baywatch” ran from 1989 to 2001 and followed the lives of lifeguards on Los Angeles and Hawaii beaches. It became a global hit and launched stars like Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, and David Hasselhoff. A 2017 movie starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron reinforced the brand’s popularity, signaling that audiences still love the iconic show.
The casting team faced the challenge of filling “big bathing suits,” as Roberts put it, given the show’s legacy. About 2,000 hopefuls performed in front of casting directors during the live auditions, with 14,000 applications submitted in total, said Joseph McGinty Nichol, the show’s executive producer, who is directing the first episode. Many auditioning wore the signature red bathing suits, visors, and “Baywatch” apparel, capturing the show’s classic spirit.
David Chokachi, who played Cody Madison in the original series, is returning for the reboot. He recalled how he got his start after hundreds of auditions failed to satisfy the original creators. “It’s one of the most surreal things that’s ever happened in my life,” he said.
For many of the auditioning actors, this was a chance to chase a dream. Massiel Taveras, Miss Dominican Republic 2007, said, “I belong to this group. I belong to the show. I just feel it.” Dominique Lopez, a broadcast student attending her first audition, described the experience as “super easygoing” and felt empowered just for trying.
TMZ was at the new "Baywatch" casting call to capture all the chaos as the beach filled with L.A.'s finest! 🤩 https://t.co/d66izbFOwH pic.twitter.com/hiTpxbGwkx
— TMZ (@TMZ) February 19, 2026
The show’s return to Los Angeles was partly supported by a $21-million state tax credit to help revive the local entertainment industry. Councilmember Traci Park emphasized that productions like this keep L.A.’s talent and resources working locally.
Showrunner Matt Nix highlighted the positivity of “Baywatch,” saying it’s about heroes taking care of each other and the people around them. The new series focuses on Hobie Buchannon, Mitch’s son, who meets a daughter he never knew he had. She wants to continue the Baywatch legacy, while Hobie now leads as a Baywatch captain. Nix explained, “It’s a good time for an unapologetically heroic show about people who care about each other and the people that they’re trying to save.”
The auditions reflected more than just a casting call—they showed that actors are eager to return to in-person opportunities and reminded Hollywood of the excitement of finding new talent.
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