Baywatch is getting a reboot at Fox and Stephen Amell is playing Hobie

Fox casts Stephen Amell as first lead star of Baywatch reboot

Fox is bringing Baywatch back, and the first casting news is Stephen Amell. The Arrow and Heels star will play Hobie Buchannon, a character from the original series, as a series regular, with Matt Nix serving as showrunner for the reboot on the broadcast network.

Amell is best known for headlining the Greg Berlanti-created CW series Arrow, based on DC Comics’ Green Arrow. He also co-led the Starz wrestling drama Heels and most recently led NBC’s Suits: LA as Ted Black.

Hobie returns as the captain

Stephen Amell will play the wild child Hobie Buchannon, a character from the original series. In the reboot’s new chapter, Hobie is now a Baywatch Captain in a series regular role, following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Mitch.

Mitch was played by David Hasselhoff in the original run, where he served as the lead lifeguard. Fox says the reboot has a renewed mission to protect Southern California’s shoreline, plus beachside heroics and adrenaline-fueled rescues, tangled relationships included.

Charlie shows up unannounced

In Fox’s Baywatch reboot, Hobie Buchannon’s world is turned upside down fast. Charlie, the daughter he never knew, shows up on his doorstep and wants in.

Charlie is eager to carry on the Buchannon family legacy and become a Baywatch lifeguard alongside her dad, Hobie.

That father-daughter twist fits the tangled relationships, complicated chemistry, and new tensions Fox teases, with contemporary trappings, a new cast, and a renewed mission to protect Southern California’s shoreline, echoing the original’s global reach.

Hobie’s role has been recast before

Hobie Buchannon isn’t a brand-new name in Baywatch history. On the original series, the role was first played by Brandon Call for one season. After that, Jeremy Jackson took over and played Hobie for the rest of the show’s run.

With Stephen Amell stepping into the part now, the reboot leans on a familiar character while moving him into a different stage of life in Matt Nix’s reboot for Fox, as a Baywatch Captain following father Mitch’s footsteps again.

What Fox promises in the reboot

Fox teases that Baywatch will keep the beachside heroics that defined the original series, which aired in over 200 countries. Fox says the reboot will retain the original’s adrenaline-fueled rescues, tangled relationships, and complicated chemistry while updating the series for a new audience.

The reboot adds a cast in the signature red swimsuits, along with contemporary trappings, tensions, and challenges. It keeps a renewed mission to protect Southern California’s shoreline, with Hobie Buchannon now serving as Baywatch Captain.

A full season order, not a pilot

Fox gave Baywatch a 12-episode straight-to-series order in September, after it had been in development at Fox since winter 2024. The order covers 12 episodes for the network.

Production is slated to begin shooting this spring on Venice Beach and on the Fox Studio Lot in Century City. Stephen Amell is the first star cast member, playing series regular Hobie Buchannon, with Matt Nix serving as showrunner and executive producer, and McG directing the premiere.

Venice Beach is on the call sheet

Production is slated to begin shooting this spring on Venice Beach, after Fox gave the show a 12-episode straight-to-series order in September. Fox says the reboot brings contemporary trappings, tensions, and challenges, plus a renewed mission to protect Southern California’s shoreline.

The crew will also shoot on the Fox Studio Lot in Century City this season. Fox says filming will take place at Venice Beach and on the Fox Studio Lot in Century City as the production builds its new ensemble cast.

From NBC cancelation to worldwide hit

The original Baywatch debuted in 1989, and Fox is rebooting the lifeguard drama now. NBC canceled the first run after one season, but the show later became the most-watched series in the world.

Baywatch aired in over 200 countries and, at its peak, reached more than a billion viewers every week. David Hasselhoff led the series as Mitch Buchannon, the lead lifeguard, and the reboot follows his son Hobie as a Baywatch Captain, following in his legendary father’s footsteps.

Matt Nix explains the Amell pick

Showrunner and executive producer Matt Nix says Stephen Amell felt right for this new Baywatch chapter from their first talks. He says Amell brings heart, intensity, and a clear hero energy for Hobie Buchannon.

Nix also says Amell can sprint into danger, carry the emotional weight of the story, and still make it feel fun. He adds the team is excited to get started, with Amell set as the first star cast in Fox’s reboot as series regular Hobie Buchannon.

Baywatch’s long list of breakout names

Baywatch wasn’t only about lifeguards and rescues; it also boosted careers. The original series helped kick-start actors as Baywatch became the most-watched show in the world, airing in over 200 countries.

David Hasselhoff led the series as Mitch Buchannon after its 1989 debut, and it helped launch several actors into bigger roles. That list includes Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Jason Momoa, and Yasmine Bleeth, and at its peak, the show reached more than a billion viewers every week.

The team building the new series

The new Baywatch is co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Fremantle, with Matt Nix as showrunner and executive producer. Nix is joined as an executive producer by McG, Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto, and Mike Horowitz.

McG will direct the premiere, and his credits include The OC, Charlie’s Angels, and Terminator Salvation. Nix’s past credits include Burn Notice, The Gifted, and True Lies, and Fox has already ordered 12 episodes of the reboot as a straight-to-series order.

Who handles Baywatch distribution rights

Fox Entertainment Global holds all domestic distribution rights for Baywatch. Fremantle manages all international sales for the reboot outside the United States, and Fox Entertainment and Fremantle co-produce it.

That split connects to the original Baywatch, which debuted in 1989 and later became the most-watched show in the world. It aired in over 200 countries and, at its peak, reached more than a billion viewers each week, underscoring why international sales matter to viewers worldwide.

Charli XCX shared behind-the-scenes details about filming with Kylie Jenner, offering a candid look at what the experience was really like.

More on Stephen Amell’s credits

Beyond his lead roles, Stephen Amell has credits on HBO’s Hung and recurring roles on Fox’s New Girl and ABC’s Private Practice. He also stars in the Canadian crime series The Borderline and is credited as an executive producer.

On the film side, he starred in and produced the indie feature Code 8 (Parts 1 and 2) alongside his cousin, Robbie Amell. He also appeared in the film Little Lorraine, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Several major stars turned down the Super Bowl halftime spotlight, and their reasons reveal how career timing, creative control, and pressure shape that decision.

Which Stephen Amell role is your favorite so far, Arrow, Heels, or one of his films? Share your pick in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

Don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content right here on MSN.

Read More From This Brand:

• Meghan Markle’s Netflix Hit Gets Spinoff Series
• Tim Burton praises Catherine O’Hara’s creative legacy and lasting influence
• Travis Kelce jumps behind the DJ booth, playing Taylor Swift songs during a surprise appearance at Tight Ends & Friends