The red swimsuits are back, the slow-motion beach runs are returning, and the California coastline is about to get a fresh wave of drama. The first full trailer for the new Baywatch reboot has landed, offering a glimpse of the action, romance and spectacular ocean rescues awaiting fans when the iconic lifeguard series returns in January 2027.
Released on 13 October, the trailer promises a contemporary take on the franchise while retaining the ingredients that made the original a global television phenomenon. Viewers are treated to dangerous water rescues, explosive action, complicated relationships and plenty of sun-soaked beach glamour. One dramatic sequence involves a plane crashing into the ocean, giving the new lifeguard team a high-stakes introduction.
The 12-episode series will premiere on Fox in the US, while UK and Irish viewers can watch exclusively on Sky and its streaming service NOW.
Who stars in the new Baywatch?
Leading the reboot is Stephen Amell, best known for Arrow and Heels, as Hobie Buchannon, now a captain of the Baywatch lifeguards. Hobie is the son of Mitch Buchannon, the legendary character played by David Hasselhoff in the original series.
Hobie’s life takes an unexpected turn when his estranged daughter, Charlie Vale, played by Jessica Belkin, arrives hoping to follow the family tradition and become a lifeguard herself. Her ambitions create tension as Hobie struggles to balance his responsibilities as a father with the dangers of the job.
The new ensemble also includes Shay Mitchell as Trina, Hassie Harrison as Nat, Noah Beck as Luke, Brooks Nader as Selene, Thaddeus LaGrone as Brad and Livvy Dunne as Grace, marking the former gymnast’s acting debut.
Nostalgia is firmly on the agenda, too. David Chokachi returns as Cody Madison, while Erika Eleniak reprises her original role as Shauni McClain. The series is overseen by Matt Nix, creator of Burn Notice, with original Baywatchcreators Michael Berk, Greg Bonann and Doug Schwartz among the executive producers.
How the original became a global sensation
First broadcast in 1989, Baywatch ran for 11 seasons until 2001, becoming one of the most widely watched television shows in the world. At its height, it reportedly reached more than a billion viewers weekly across over 200 countries.
Hasselhoff’s portrayal of Mitch Buchannon anchored the series, while Pamela Anderson became a household name as C.J. Parker. Its mix of rescue missions, personal drama, glamorous beach settings and instantly recognisable red swimwear made it a defining fixture of 1990s pop culture. The franchise also helped launch the careers of stars including Carmen Electra and Jason Momoa.
The new series aims to recapture that appeal for a modern audience, blending familiar characters and visual trademarks with a new generation of lifeguards. Whether it can recreate the original’s extraordinary cultural impact remains to be seen, but the trailer makes one thing clear: Baywatch is ready to make a splash again.