Stephen Amell Lands Lead Role in 'Baywatch' Reboot

Variety has reported that Arrow and Heels star Stephen Amell will lead the upcoming Baywatch reboot on Fox.

The reboot of the popular lifeguard drama was announced back in 2025, with the network confirming a 12-episode order for the 2026/2027 broadcast season. Amell’s casting marks the first noteworthy news on the series since then, with Fox confirming that they’ll be holding an open casting call for the show on February 18th in Los Angeles as well.

With the series being so early in the process, we still don’t know a lot of meaningful information at this stage. However, we have gotten a brief outline of Amell’s character Hobie Buchannon. The official character description describes Buchanon as a “wild child” who is taking over as lifeguard captain “following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Mitch.” This new series will continue the original series’ penchant for kitchy storylines as well, with Buchanan having to deal with the stress of his daughter wanting to carry on the family legacy as well. Arrow fans will recall that Amell has plenty of experience being a protective father, though it’s likely that Mia Smoak (Kat Macnamara) and this currently uncast daughter will have markedly different personalities.

The character of Hobie Buchanan did appear in the original Baywatch across multiple seasons and portrayed by several actors including Brandon Call and later by Jeremy Jackson.

The Baywatch reboot will be helmed by showrunner Matt Nix, who’s known for his work on Burn Notice, True Lies, The Gifted and more. Nix sang Amell’s praises as soon as the news broke, noting that “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.” 

The 2026/2027 timeline might seem like a tight schedule with open casting for additional roles still yet to occur, but the series happening on broadcast television means that we likely won’t see the premiere until the fall television season in October of this year. Baywatch continues Amell’s trend of tackling reboots/continuations of beloved series after his recent turn in Suits L.A.

Original Baywatch star Carmen Electra has noted that she’s ready for the reboot, with one firm condition, but is yet to be confirmed for the series.