Fox’s Baywatch reboot continues to build out its cast.
Following the announcement that Stephen Amell will lead the series as Hobie Buchannon, the network has now added Jessica Belkin as Charlie Vale and confirmed that original series star David Chokachi will reprise his role as Cody Madison.
The new series is slated for the 2026–2027 broadcast season and begins shooting this spring on Venice Beach and the Fox Studio Lot in Century City.
Jessica Belkin Plays Hobie’s Long-Lost Daughter
Belkin’s Charlie Vale is revealed to be the biological daughter of Hobie Buchannon, the child he never knew existed.
Leaving behind a complicated home life in Galveston, Charlie arrives on her father’s doorstep determined to earn her place as a Baywatch lifeguard. She’s described as fearless, passionate, and occasionally reckless, traits that make her a true Buchannon.
But she still has a lot to learn.
The series sets up a central father-daughter dynamic, with Hobie stepping into the mentor role for the daughter he never met. The reboot leans heavily into legacy themes, positioning Charlie as the next generation of Baywatch while exploring Hobie’s evolution from wild child to captain.
David Chokachi Returns As Cody Madison
In a major legacy move, David Chokachi is reprising his role as Cody Madison from the original series.
Cody is now the owner of The Shoreline, described as the unofficially official Baywatch bar-and-grill. While he runs the hotspot, he hasn’t fully left lifeguarding behind. He still throws on the red trunks for the occasional rescue and serves as a mentor figure to the team.
The character also provides a second home for the lifeguards and, according to the description, free wings after a big save.
Chokachi originally played Cody during the later seasons of the franchise, including its Hawaii era, bringing heartthrob energy to the series at the height of its global popularity.
Expanding The Baywatch Legacy
The new Baywatch, produced by Fox and Fremantle, centers on Hobie serving as a Baywatch Captain, following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Mitch Buchannon, originally played by David Hasselhoff.
With Amell as Hobie, Belkin as Charlie, and Chokachi returning as Cody, the reboot blends legacy characters with a next-generation storyline.
Production kicks off this spring in Los Angeles, with Fox planning a 12-episode run for the 2026–2027 season.
