Fox is diving back into the world of lifeguards and sun-soaked drama, officially greenlighting a 12-episode reboot of the iconic series Baywatch for the 2026-2027 television season. This announcement, made on September 23, 2025, has sent waves of nostalgia and anticipation across the entertainment industry and among longtime fans. With a legacy spanning over a decade and a global impact that few shows can rival, Baywatch is preparing to make a splash for a whole new generation.
The reboot, a collaboration between Fox Entertainment and Fremantle, marks a significant return for the franchise that once defined beach culture on television. Matt Nix, best known for creating Burn Notice and CBS’s True Lies, has been tapped as both executive producer and showrunner. He joins original creators Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, and Doug Schwartz, alongside Dante Di Loreto, in steering the project. According to Deadline, the series order follows months of development that began in winter 2024 and accelerated after Nix came onboard in early 2025, ultimately securing Fox’s commitment to a straight-to-series order.
“In its first run, Baywatch defined an entire era of beach life and elevated lifeguards to an iconic status. Now, with our partners at Fremantle, this television juggernaut is set for a modern-day comeback,” said Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network, in a statement obtained by Variety. “Together, Fox and Fremantle, along with Matt Nix and original co-creator Greg Bonann, will bring the California dream to a whole new generation of fans with fresh stories, rising stars and all the spectacle that make the Baywatch franchise a global sensation.”
Christian Vesper, Fremantle’s CEO of Global Drama, echoed Thorn’s excitement, emphasizing the show’s enduring legacy. “Baywatch has always been a treasured asset in Fremantle’s portfolio and remains one of the most iconic series in television history globally. We have found the perfect partners in Fox to help us maintain this legacy. With Matt Nix at the helm, we are in great hands, as he excels at telling engaging and entertaining stories. Our goal is to reconnect with existing fans while also introducing a new generation to the world of these famous lifeguards,” Vesper told The Hollywood Reporter.
The new Baywatch promises to retain the adrenaline-fueled rescues, tangled relationships, complicated chemistry, and beachside heroics that made the original a worldwide phenomenon. According to a Fox press release cited by FanSided, “Fans can expect all the adrenaline-fueled rescues, tangled relationships, complicated chemistry, and beachside heroics that defined the original. With an entirely new cast, contemporary trappings, tensions, and challenges, and a renewed mission to protect Southern California’s shoreline.” While the cast remains under wraps, the commitment to fresh faces and contemporary storytelling is clear.
Filming locations are still being finalized, with Los Angeles—a staple of the original series—under strong consideration. Australia is also in the mix, drawn by its stunning coastal scenery and potential tax incentives, though the setting will officially remain Southern California. This blend of tradition and new possibilities reflects the producers’ aim to balance nostalgia with innovation.
The reboot arrives at a time when Fox is no stranger to lifeguard dramas. The network previously aired Rescue: HI-Surf, a Hawaii-set series executive produced by John Wells, but that show was canceled in May 2025 after just one season. The decision to revisit Baywatch underscores the franchise’s unique staying power and global appeal, a sentiment shared by industry insiders and fans alike.
For those who need a refresher, Baywatch originally premiered as an NBC movie in 1989 and aired one season on the network before moving into first-run syndication. David Hasselhoff, who played the iconic Mitch Buchannon, was instrumental in reviving the series after its initial cancellation. The syndicated version ran for 11 seasons, ending in 2001, and at its peak, the show was broadcast in over 200 countries, reaching more than a billion viewers each week. Its cast roster reads like a who’s who of 1990s pop culture, launching the careers of Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Jason Momoa, Yasmine Bleeth, Nicole Eggert, and David Charvet, among others.
Baywatch wasn’t just a TV show; it became a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion (who could forget those red swimsuits?), music, and even tourism. The series spawned spinoffs such as Baywatch Nights, a 2017 feature film reboot starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Zac Efron, and, more recently, a Hulu docuseries titled After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, which explores the show’s legacy and features interviews with original cast members. As TV Insider notes, the slow-motion beach runs and melodramatic rescues became instantly recognizable symbols of 1990s television.
Despite its lighthearted reputation, Baywatch tackled serious themes—environmental protection, teamwork, and the challenges of public service—alongside its trademark action and romance. The reboot intends to honor these elements while updating the narrative for today’s audience. According to TV Guide Magazine, the new series will feature contemporary trappings, tensions, and challenges, ensuring it resonates with viewers in 2026 and beyond.
Interestingly, Fremantle had been considering a reboot as early as 2018, but it wasn’t until Fox’s involvement in 2024, with a script plus penalty commitment, that the project truly gained momentum. The process of securing the series order was lengthy, partly due to negotiations over filming locations and financial incentives. Fremantle’s Bob McCourt told Deadline back in June 2025 that the company was “in advanced talks with Fox,” highlighting the careful planning behind the reboot.
As of now, there’s no word on whether any original stars—like Hasselhoff or Anderson—will make cameo appearances, though speculation abounds. For many fans, such an appearance would be the ultimate nod to the show’s storied history. Regardless, the creative team is focused on building a new ensemble that can carry the franchise forward, capturing the same blend of spectacle and heart that captivated audiences decades ago.
With no official premiere date announced yet, anticipation will only build over the coming year. In the meantime, fans can revisit the original series and the Hulu documentary to relive the drama, triumphs, and sun-drenched adventures that made Baywatch a household name. As Fox and Fremantle prepare to reintroduce the California dream, all eyes are on the shoreline, waiting to see how this modern-day comeback will unfold.
With its mix of nostalgia, new storytelling, and a commitment to both legacy and innovation, the Baywatch reboot is poised to make waves once more—reminding everyone why lifeguards in red swimsuits captured the world’s imagination in the first place.
