Stephen Amell, the former Arrow star, has been cast as the lead in Fox’s upcoming Baywatch reboot, marking the first confirmed casting for the high-profile revival.
The series received a 12-episode order for the 2026–2027 broadcast season back in September 2025, with production set to begin this spring in Los Angeles.
Fox will also host an open casting call on February 18 as the network rounds out the ensemble.
Amell To Play Hobie Buchannon
Amell will star as Hobie Buchannon, the “wild child” from the original series, now all grown up and stepping into a leadership role.
According to the official description, Hobie is now a Baywatch Captain, following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Mitch Buchannon. The role of Mitch was made iconic by David Hasselhoff during the original run.
In the reboot, Hobie’s life is thrown into chaos when Charlie — the daughter he never knew existed — arrives at his doorstep. Determined to carry on the Buchannon legacy, she wants to become a Baywatch lifeguard and work alongside her father.
Showrunner Praises Amell
Showrunner Matt Nix praised the casting, saying: “From the first conversation, Stephen Amell brought exactly what this new chapter of ‘Baywatch’ demands: heart, intensity, and that undeniable hero energy. He’s the kind of lead who can sprint into danger, carry the emotional weight, and still make it feel fun. We’re so excited to get started.”
Amell is no stranger to physically demanding roles or long-running network series, making him a natural fit for a franchise built on beach rescues and character drama.
A Look Back At Hobie And The Original Series
Hobie Buchannon appeared throughout multiple seasons of the original Baywatch. The character was first portrayed by Brandon Call and later by Jeremy Jackson.
Baywatch originally debuted in 1989 on NBC but lasted just one season before moving into syndication. That shift proved to be a game changer. The series ultimately ran for 11 seasons and nearly 250 episodes, becoming one of the most watched television shows in the world.
For its final two seasons, production moved to Hawaii and the show was retitled Baywatch: Hawaii. A reunion TV movie later aired on Fox in 2003.
Now, more than three decades after its debut, Baywatch is getting another shot, this time with Amell carrying the Buchannon name forward.
With production starting soon and casting underway, expect more announcements in the coming weeks.
